THE  ETHEL  CARR  PEACOCK 
MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 

Matris  amori  moimmentum 


TRINITY  COLLEGE  LIBRARY 


DURHAM,  N.  C. 

1903 

Gift  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Dred  Peacock 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/annalsoftennesse01  rams 


V 


Wit 


THE 


ANNALS 

OF 

TENNESSEE 

TO  THE 

END  OF  THE  EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY: 

COMPRISING  ITS  SETTLEMENT, 


THE  WATAUGA  ASSOCIATION, 

FROM  1769  TO  1777; 

A TAUT  OF  NORTH-CAROLINA, 

FROM  1777  TO  1784; 

THE  STATE  OF  FRANKLIN, 

FROM  1784  TO  1788;  f 

A PART  OF  NORTH- CAROLINA, 

FROM  1788  TO  1790; 

THE  TERRITORY  OF  THE  U.  STATES  SOUTH  OF  THE  OHIO, 

FROM  1790  TO  1796; 

THE  STATE  OF  TENNESSEE, 

FROM  1796  TO  1800. 


J.  G.  M.  RAMSEY,  A.M,  M.D., 

CORRESPONDING  SECRETARY  OF  THE  EAST  TENNESSEE  HISTORICAL  AND  ANTIQUARIAN  SOCIETY: 
HONORARY  MEMBER  OF  THE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  OF  THE  STATE  OF  GEORGIA; 
CORRESPONDING  MEMBER  OF  THE  AMERICAN  ETHNOLOGICAL  SOCIETY,  ETC. 


PHILADELPHIA  : 

J.  B.  LIPPIjSTCOTT  & CO. 

1860. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1853,  by 
J.  G.  M.  RAMSEY,  M.D., 

In  the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  Eastern  District  of  Tennessee. 


°l  7 £>.  ? 
H ft  3 A 


p 

DEDICATION. 


TO  THE  SURVIVING  PIONEERS  OF  TENNESSEE, 

WHOSE  ENTERPRISE  SUBDUED  HER  DOMAIN,  AND  WHOSE  VALOUR  DEFENDED  IT, 

MOST  gratefully; 

TO  THEIR  IMMEDIATE  SUCCESSORS, 

WHOSE  PATRIOTISM,  WISDOM  AND  VIRTUE,  PROVIDED  FOR  AND  BEQUEATHED  TO  POSTERITY,  THE 
PATRIMONIAL  BLESSINGS  AND  WISE  INSTITUTIONS  OF  LIBERTY,  OF  LAW,  OF  LEARNING 
AND  RELIGION, 

MOST  dutifully; 

TO  THE  YOUNG  MEN  OF  TENNESSEE, 

INHERITING-  SO  MUCH  THAT  IS  ESTIMABLE,  MANLY,  VIRTUOUS  AND  PATRIOTIC, 

AND 

TO  WHOSE  GUARDIANSHIP,  FILIAL  PIETY,  ANCESTRAL  AND  STATE  PRIDE, 

ARE  C OMMITTED 

THE  PRESERVATION  OF  HER  UNSTAINED  ESCUTCHEON,  HER  ANCIENT  FAME,  HER  HEROIC 

EXAMPLE,  HER  SOVEREIGNTY,  HER  CHARACTER  AND  HER  GLORY 

HER  HIGH  DESTINY  AND  FUTURE  IMPROVEMENT 

MOST  confidently; 

“Let  no  mean  hope  your  souls  enslave; 

Be  independent,  generous,  brave  ; 

Your  fathers  such  example  gave, 

And  such  revere!” 

fs  this  Volume  Dedicated,  by  their  fellow-citizen-, 

THE  AUTHOR. 

Charleston,  S.  C.,  February  22d,  1S53. 

a 6 9 


* 


PREFACE. 


The  writer  is  one  of  the  first-born  of  the  sons  of  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee. If  this  seniority  brings  with  it  none  of  the  rights  of  primoge- 
niture, it  certainly  has  imposed  the  duty  of  filial  veneration  and  regard 
for  the  land  of  his  nativity.  With  this  devotion  to  his  State,  and  to  its 
worthy  pioneers,  has  always  been  united  the  deep  regret,  that  their 
early  history  has  been  so  little  known,  and  is  now  almost  forgotten. 
Oppressed  by  this  feeling,  and  impelled  by  the  desire  to  revive  and  pre- 
serve the  knowledge  of  past  events  in  Tennessee,  he  determined,  many 
years  since,  to  collect  such  incidents  of  her  history  as  were  within  his 
reach.  At  first,  his  object  was  merely  to  occupy,  in  these  researches, 
the  leisure  hours  which  could  be  spared  from  professional  engagements ; 
but  he  soon  discovered,  that  by  extending  his  labours,  he  might  add  to 
his  own  pleasure,  the  high  gratification  of  contributing  something,  how- 
ever humble,  to  the  historical  literature  of  the  day,  and  thus  do  a ser- 
vice, at  least,  to  the  people  of  his  own  State. 

For  the  collection  of  the  materials  of  such  a work,  he  has  had  some 
peculiar  facilities.  His  boyhood  and  his  youth  were  spent  with  the 
pioneer  and  the  emigrant.  Later  in  life,  he  has  not  been  without  some 
share  of  intercourse,  with  the  public  men  and  principal  actors  in  the 
early  settlement  of  the  country.  His  opportunity  of  conferring  with 
many  of  them,  has  not  been  infrequent,  and  has  been  sedulously  im- 
proved. He  became,  whilst  yet  a young  man,  the  possessor  of  the 
journal  and  papers  of  his  deceased  father,  the  late  Col.  F.  A.  Ramsey — 
a pioneer  of  the  country,  whose  life  was  identified  with  its  interests,  at 
every  period  of  its  growth,  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1820.  He 
has,  since,  become  the  depositary  of  the  papers  of  Sevier,  of  Shelby, 


VI 


PREFACE. 


the  Blounts,  and  other  public  men.  His  position  as  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary of  the  East  Tennessee  Historical  aud  Antiquarian  Society,  has  given 
him  the  advantage  of  its  collections  and  correspondence.  In  addition  to 
these  sources  of  valuable  information,  he  has  availed  himself  of  others. 
The  records  of  all  the  old  Franklin  Counties  have  been  patiently  ex- 
amined by  him.  He  has  also  visited  the  Capitals  of  Georgia,  North- 
Carolina,  and  Virginia,  and,  by  the  courtesy  of  Governor  Towns,  Go- 
vernor Reed,  aud  Governor  Floyd,  of  these  States,  has  been  allowed  free 
access  to  the  Public  Archives  at  Milledgeville,  Raleigh,  and  Richmond, 
from  which  has  been  procured,  all  that  they  contain  on  the  subjects  of 
his  research.  The  Archives  of  Tennessee,  preserved  in  the  office  of 
the  Secretary  of  State  at  Nashville,  he  has  also  examined.  Private 
and  public  libraries,  the  offices  at  Washington,  and  the  periodical  jour- 
nals of  the  day — all  sources,  within  the  writer’s  reach,  likely  to  contri- 
bute to  his  purpose,  and  add  to  the  perfection  of  his  work,  have 
been  carefully  examined  and  culled  from. 

Haywood’s  History  of  Tennessee  is  the  authority  for  many  events 
detailed  herein.  In  several  instances,  corrections  and  additions,  impor- 
tant and  valuable,  have  been  made. 

In  the  narratives — verbal  and  written — of  the  old  soldiers  and  pio- 
neers, and  in  the  matter  furnished  by  authors,  correspondents,  and 
public  documents,  the  language  of  the  original  narrator  is  often  re- 
tained, though  his  statements  are  very  much  abridged  and  condensed. 
The  usual  marks  of  quotation  have  not,  therefore,  been  always  given. 

On  some  of  the  subjects  of  the  volume,  the  writer  may  be  charged 
with  unnecessary  prolixity.  He  has  not  felt  at  liberty  to  withhold  the 
minutim  of  some  of  the  topics,  now  published  for  the  first  time.  The. 
perishable  condition  in  which  they  are  found,  in  old  and  nearly  illegible 
manuscripts,  exposes  them  to  an  early  destruction. 

The  biography  of  General  Robertson  and  General  Joseph  Martin 
would  have  been  more  minutely  given,  but  that  their  private  files  had 
been  placed  in  the  hands  of  L.  C.  Draper,  Esq.,  of  Wisconsin.  This 
is  the  less  to  be  regretted,  as  that  competent  writer  has  promised,  in 
addition  to  the  lives  of  these  Tennessee  pioneers,  those  of  many  West- 
ern adventurers,  which  cannot  fail  to  make  a valuable  contribution  to 


PREFACE. 


VII 


the  biographical  literature  of  the  West.  He  has  been  indefatigable  in 
the  procurement  of  material  for  such  a work.  Its  publication  may  be 
expected  within  the  next  year. 

The  space  devoted  in  this  volume,  to  that  section  of  Tennessee  east 
of  Cumberland  Mountain,  will  not  be  considered  disproportionate,  when 
it  is  recollected,  that  it  had  a priority  of  ten  years  in  its  settlement; 
that  in  it  were  conducted  the  more  important  negotiations  and  treaties 
with  the  Indians ; and  that  the  scenes  of  the  Revolution — as  participated 
in  by  the  Western  soldiery — the  Franklin  Revolt  and  Administration  ; 
the  Organization  of  the  Territorial  Government,  and  that  of  the  State 
of  Tennessee,  all  occurred  within  its  limits. 

Thus  much  as  to  the  plan  and  materials  of  the  work,  and  the  sources 
from  which  they  have  been  drawn.  As  to  the  manner  of  it,  the  writer 
only  further  adds,  that,  earlier  in  life,  it  had  been  his  ambition  and  his 
design,  to  have  made  it,  not  only  more  creditable  to  himself,  but,  which 
he  desired  much  more,  worthier  of  Tennessee  and  her  patriotic  and 
chivalrous  sons.  In  the  vain  hope,  and  under  the  fond  illusion,  that 
some  future  day  would  allow  him  the  necessary  leisure  to  do  so,  he  has 
postponed  the  preparation  of  these  sheets  several  years.  The  pressure 
of  other  engagements — some  of  them  in  the  service  of  Tennessee — 
some,  more  private,  but  not  less  imperative — has  dispelled  the  youth- 
ful illusion,  that,  after  his  half  century  was  passed,  life  would  be  without 
care  or  active  employment,  and  has  brought  with  it  the  conviction,  that, 
if  his  work  shall  be*  published  at  all,  it  must  be  done  in  its  present 
shape — written  always  currente  calamo — at  intervals  of  time,  snatched 
from  the  continued  succession  of  professional  and  public  duties,  and 
with  little  opportunity  to  revise  or  perfect  it.  In  that  condition,  and 
under  these  circumstances,  the  volume  now  goes  to  press.  Scarcely 
has  a single  page  been  re-written. 

Many  of  the  Sevier  papers,  and  all  those  of  Governor  Willie  Blount, 
being  in  the  writer’s  possession,  should  the  public  voice  seem  to  demand 
a continuation  of  these  Annals,  to  a more  recent  period,  the  materials 
being  on  hand,  or  within  reach,  a second  volume  will  be  prepared. 
The  administration  of  Governor  Blount,  covering  the  period  of  the 
Creek  War,  and  that  of  1812,  with  England,  is  an  exceedingly  interest- 


VIII 


PREFACE. 


ing  period  in  the  Annals  of  the  Volunteer  State.  Since  that  time,  the 
history  of  Tennessee  has  continued  to  be  equally  important,  and  is 
now  national  and  fully  identified  with  the  history  of  the  United  States. 

The  writer  cannot  omit  this  opportunity  of  returning  his  thanks  to 
such  of  his  correspondents,  in  Tennessee  and  elsewhere,  as  have  not 
been  specifically  mentioned  in  the  volume,  for  their  assistance  in  col- 
lecting and  furnishing  material  for  the  work. 

The  Hon.  Mitchell  King,  during  the  publication  of  the  volume,  has 
politely  opened  to  the  writer’s  use  his  large  library  and  extensive  col- 
lection of  maps.  Professor  Dickson,  of  the  Medical  College  of  South- 
Carolina,  and  an  honourary  member  of  the  East  Tennessee  Historical 
and  Antiquarian  Society,  has,  heretofore,  presented  to  its  collections 
several  valuable  works  on  the  history  of  his  State,  and  her  early  wars 
with  the  Indians  of  the  interior.  Both  of  these  gentlemen  have,  from 
the  first  conception  of  this  undertaking,  given  to  the  writer,  under 
many  and  great  discouragements,  their  friendly  advice  and  countenance. 
To  each  of  them,  and  to  the  members  and  officers  of  the  Charleston 
Library,  to  whose  privileges  he  was  politely  introduced,  the  writer  begs 
here  to  make  his  acknowledgments. 

The  size  of  this  volume  has  excluded  much  that  had  been  intended 
for  the  Appendix. 

Conscious,  as  he  is,  of  the  imperfections  of  his  performance,  the 
writer  persuades  himself,  that  he  has  rendered  some  acceptable  service 
to  Tennessee,  in  his  attempt,  thus,  to  perpetuate  her  Annals,  and  illus- 
trate the  actions  of  her  people.  Consoled  with  this  reflection,  he  con- 
fides it  to  his  countrymen. ' 

“ Si  quid  novisti  rectius  istis 

Candidus  imperti ; si  non,  his  utere  mecum.” 

J.  G-.  M.  RAMSEY. 


Mecklenburg, 

Near  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Nov.  16, 1852. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

DISCOVERY  AND  EXPLORATION  OF  TENNESSEE. 

Cabot  sees  the  coast  of  North  Carolina  ; invasion  of  Narvaez  ; is  shipwrecked 
Ferdinand  De  Soto  ; his  army  ; he  invades  Florida ; defied  by  Acuera ; arrives  at 
Oeali ; Vitachuco’s  village  described  ; De  Soto  fortifies  Anchayea  and  goes  into 
winter  quarters  ; resumes  march  ; passes  the  mountains  near  Choualla ; reaches 
Talisse.  Battle  of  Alibamo  and  of  Chisca  ; Indian  council.  De  Soto  and  his 
army  approach  and  cross  the  Mississippi,  near  Chickasaw  Bluff.  French  ascend 
the  St.  Lawrence.  Raleigh  lands  in  N.  Carolina  ; his  patent  from  Queen  Eliza- 
beth. Jamestown  laid  off.  First  representative  body  in  America;  self-government 
provided  for.  Alleghanies  first  crossed  ; Marquette  and  Joliet  descend  the  Missis- 
sippi ; first  cabin  and  fort  in  Tennessee,  built  at  the  present  Memphis.  Charlestown 
laid  off;  Culpeper’s  rebellion,  Albemarle  independent  ; Bacon’s  rebellion.  ■ ’arolina 
divided.  First  store  in  Tennessee,  established  at  the  present  Nashville  ; Paducah 
built ; Tenassee  chief  town  ; Fort  Assumption  built ; treaty  with  the  Cherokees. 
Fort  Prince  George,  Fort  Loudon  and  Long  Island  Fort  built  ; Fort  Loudor. 
threatened  ; Prince  George  attacked.  Col.  Montgomery  invades  the  Cherokees  ; 
surrender  of  Fort  Loudon  ; massacre  of  its  garrison  ; escape  of  Capt.  Stuart.  Col. 
Grant  invades  the  Cherokees,  and  conquers  them.  Tennessee  visited  by  traders  ; 
Dr.  Walker  passes  Cumberland  Gap  ; Daniel  Boone’s  arrival — his  camp  ; Walker 
hunts  on  Clinch  ; Smith  explores  Cumberland  ; Findley  passes  through  East 
Tennessee.  The  king  forbids  western  grants  ; most  of  Tennessee  unoccupied  by 
Indians;  aboriginal  claims;  treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix  ; first  cession  of  lands  in 
Tennessee.  The  Shawnees,  Chickasaws,  Uchees,  Cherokees  ; their  mines  ; their 
martial  spirit ; Chota,  their  city  of  refuge.  Beauty  and  euphony  of  Indian  names 
of  rivers  and  mountains  in  Tennessee  ; great  Indian  path  described  ; tumuli  and 
other  remains  ; traditions.  .......  Page  13-91 

CHAPTER  II. 

WATAUGA. 

Watauga;  first  permanent  settlement  in  Tennessee.  Christian,  Anderson  and 
Sawyers  explore  East  Tennessee  ; station  at  French  Lick.  Rains  explores 
Cumberland  ; discontents  in  North-Carolina  ; landing  of  the  stamps  prevented. 
The  Regulators  defeated  at  Alamance  ; treaty  of  Lochaber.  James  Robertson 
arrives  on  Watauga  ; his  character;  Lower  Cumberland  explored.  Watanga 
forms  articles  of  association,  and  a court ; character  of  John  Sevier  ; lease  to 
Watauga  from  Cherokees  ; Brown’s  lease  and  settlement  of  Nollichucky  ; wis- 
dom and  intrepidity  of  Robertson.  Boone  attacked  in  a defile  ; great  nautical 
adventure  ; expedition  to  Kenhawa.  Capt.  Shelby’s  volunteers  ; desperate 
battle;  heroic  charge  of  Sawyers.  Purchase  by  Henderson  & Co.,  of  Transyl- 


X 


COX  T E X 'i'  S . 


vania  ; eloquent  speech  of  Oconostota  ; purchase  of  Watauga ; its  land  office  ; 
names  of  first  patentees  ; Brown’s  principality.  Parliamentary  taxation  ; colonies 
oppose  it ; martial  spirit  of  the  people  ; Hooper  foretells  independence  ; provin- 
cial congress  meets  at  Newbern;  end  of  royal  government  in  North-Carolina. 
Meeklenberg  declares  independence  ; Dr.  Brevard ; a whig  congress  controls 
South-Carolina,  and  recommends  independence  ; currency  ol  North-Carolina. 
Watauga  association  petitions  to  be  annexed  to  North-Carolina  ; the  petitioners 
names  ; is  represented  in  the  provincial  congress,  at  Halifax,  by  Sevier,  Carter, 
Haile  and  Robertson.  Residences  of  the  pioneers  of  Watauga  ; first  mills  erected' 
jn  Tennessee ; commencement  of  Cherokee  hostility.  Another  Pocahontas, 
Nancy  Ward  ; test  oath  administered  to  tories;  description  of  a station.  Stuart’s 
letter  to  the  frontier  people  ; Williams’  disclosures  of  a threatened  invasion  ; 
express  carries  Sevier’s  letter  ; plan  of  Cherokee  invasion.  Volunteers  assemble 
at  Heaton’s  ; battle  of  the  island  flats ; official  report ; Lieut.  Moore’s  conflict 
with  a brave  ; Watauga  Fort  attacked  ; Indians  repulsed  ; Mrs.  Bean’s  captivity; 
Sevier  attempts  the  rescue  of  Moore  ; the  Raven  : Rev.  Cummins  attacked  ; 
Creswell  killed  ; a frontier  congregation.  Invasion  of  Cherokees  by  McBury. 
Jack  Williamson,  Rutherford  and  Christian  ; army  of  the  latter  rendezvous  at 
Lang  Island — marches — wades  the  French  Broad  ; crosses  Tennessee;  peace, 
New  flood  of  emigrants  ; treaty  of  Long  Island  ; Chickamaugas  refuse  to  sign 
the  treaty;  Watauga  dynasty  terminates,  and  the  rule  of  North-Carolina  begins. 

Page  92-174 

CHAPTER  111. 

TENNESSEE  AS  A PART  OF  NORTH-CAROLINA. 

Tennessee,  as  a part  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  participation  of  her  pioneers  in 
the  revolutionary  war  ; character  of  the  pioneers  ; reinforcements  from  Holeton, 
to  Boonsborough.  Warm  springs  discovered.  Summary  punishment  of  tories  ; 
their  property  confiscated.  First  records  of  Washington  county  ; first  Christian 
ministers.  Captain  Robertson’s  agency  to  the  Indians  ; description  of  the  passage 
of  the  Tennessee  river  through  the  Cumberland  mountains,  and  of  the  cave  of 
Nickajack,  and  of  the  Narrows  ; these  resorted  to  by  banditti  ; the  Algiers  of  the 
West ; Col.  Shelby’s  rapid  descent  upon  these  miscreants  ; their  defeat.  Chick  - 
amauga  expedition  ; the  return  of  the  adventurers  by  land.  Jonesborourgh  the 
oldest  town  in  Tennessee;  Sullivan  county  laid  off ; Cumberland  further  explored. 
Arrival  of  Captain  De  Mumbrune  ; first  plantation  on  Cumberland.  Robertson’s 
first  colony  at  the  Lick  ; his  second  colony  ; forts  and  block  houses  there. 
Journal  of  “ the  Adventure  passes  the  Narrows  ; is  fired  upon  by  Indians 
intrepidity  of  Mrs.  Jennings  ; attack  on  the  fleet,  below  the  “ Muscle  Shoals  ;’’  , 
happy  meeting  of  the  voyagers  with  the  colonists  at  the  Lick.  Extreme  dearth 
on  the  frontier ; their  exposed  condition  ; permanent  settlement  at  the  Bluff ; 
ancient  remains  on  Cumberland.  The  revolutionary  war  ; capitulation  of 
Charleston  ; Clarke  gallantly  attacks  the  enemy  ; Gen.  Rutherford  calls  for  the 
western  riflemen  ; meeting  of  Col.  Sevier  and  his  commissioned  officers.  Cot. 
Shelby  and  his  riflemen  ; capture  of  Col.  Moore  ; measures  to  embody  the 
loyalists  ; Col.  Ferguson  secures  the  allegiance  of  the  inhabitants  of  Shelby  and 
Clarke;  Cedar  Spring  defeat ; battle  at  Musgrove’s  Mill ; death  of  Capt.  Inman  ; 
Americans  retire  across  the  mountain;  depressed  condition  of  the  American  cause. 


C O N TEN T S . 


n 


Cornwallis  advances  to  Charlotte;  Ferguson  takes  post  atRutharfordton.  Sevier 
and  Shelby  appeal  to  the  western  volunteers  ; patriotism  of  Mrs.  Sevier,  and  of 
Squire  Adair  ; co-operation  of  Col.  Campbell.  The  rendezvous  of  the  riflemen 
at  Watauga  ; Campbell,  Shelby,  Sevier  and  M’Dowell ; their  mien  and  deport- 
ment ; divine  protection  implored.  Army  marches  ; ascends  and  crosses  the 
Alleghany  by  Bright’s  trace,  joined  by  Cleveland.  Ferguson  retreats  from 
Gilberttown  and  retires  before  the  riflemen,  who  approach  the  enemy’s  camp,  on 
King’s. Mountain,  and  surround  it  and  attack  Ferguson’s  camp  ; desperate  courage 
of  Ferguson  and  his  death  ; plan  of  the  battle;  Col.  Williams’  heroic  charge; 
monument  at  King’s  Mountain  . minor  details  of  the  battle  ; Col.  Cruger’s  letter 
in  cypher.  Return  of  the  riflemen  ; official  report ; the  expedition  was  patriotic 
and  eminently  successful ; hunting  shirt  of  the  volunteers;  results  of  Ferguson’s 
defeat.  Cornwallis’  rapid  retreat ; swords  presented  to  Shelby  and  Sevier  ; they 
are  again  called  into  the  field.  Gen.  Greene’s  descent  into  South-Carolina ; 
Sevier  again  crosses  the  mountain,  and  with  Shelby  joins  Marion,  and  captures  a 
British  post.  Return  to  Marion’s  camp ; Shelby  attends  as  a member  of  the 
legislature  at  Salem,  N.  C.  Gov.  Rutledge  convenes  the  legislature  of  South- 
Carolina.  Vindication  of  the  western  riflemen;  civil  government  restored.  Sevier 
despatches  Capt.  Russell  to  the  frontier ; Sevier’s  Cherokee  expedition  ; battle  of 
Boyd’s  creek  ; combat  between  Sevier  and  an  Indian  brave  ; Col.  Campbell 
reinforces  Sevier,  and  with  him  penetrates  the  Cherokee  country.  Hiwassee 
evacuated;  negotiation  at  Chota.  Sevier  reaches  Tuckasejah  ; Major  Martin 
scours  Clinch  ; Governor  Martin’s  order  to  Sevier  ; Talk  of  the  Old  Tassel. 
Sevier  again  invades  the  Cherokees;  Jack  and  Rankin  go  to  Coiatee.  Captain  ' 
White  promotes  peace  ; boundary  fixed ; Greene  county  established.  Colonel 
Ramsey  and  others  explore  the  country  ; Armstrong’s  land  office  opened;  treaty. 
Progress  of  improvement ; new  court  house  at  Jonesboro.  - Page  175-281 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  STATE  OF  FRANKLI&. 

Ijjbbiendence  of  the  United  States  acknowledged;  the  debt  incurred  by  the  revo- 
lutionary war  ; States  endeavour  to  relieve  the  indebtedness*  by  cessions  to 
congress  of  their  unappropriated  lands  ; North-Carolina  cedes  the  country  now 
known  as  Tennessee.  Complaints  of  the  western  counties  ; are  reduced  to  a 
state  of  political  orphanage ; a convention  is  chosen  ; meets  at  Jonesboro  ; 
committee  reports  and  proposes  separation  from  North-Carolina  ; yeas  and  nays  , 
report  concurred  in  ; new  convention  breaks  up  in  confusion.  Gen.  Sevier 
dissuades  from  separation  ; his  letter.  Deputies  chosen  to  another  convention  ; 
meets  at  Jonesboro  ; Gen.  Sevier  chosen  president,  and  F.  A.  Ramsey  secretary; 
opened  with  prayer.  Legislature  of  Franklin  chosen  ; meets  and  passes  laws 
for  the  new  commonwealth  ; its  judiciary;  list  of  acts  passed  ; new  counties 
established  ; Sevier  chosen  governor  ; council  of  state  ; other  officers  of  Franklin; 
its  currency;  it  negotiates  treaty  with  the  Cherokees  ; condition  of  new  state. 
Death  of  Untoola  ; killed  by  Hubbard.  Gov.  Martin  sends  Major  Henderson 
to  the  disaffected  counties ; his  mission  to  Cherokees ; his  instructions.  Gov. 
Sevier  announces  the  separation  and  independence  of  Franklin.  Gov.  Martin 
issives  his  manifesto  ; explains  the  cession  act  and  the  cause  of  its  repeal  ; imputes 


XU 


CONTENTS. 


sinister  designs  to  the  insurgents  ; threatens  the  revolters ; effects  of  the  mani- 
festo in  Franklin.  Gov.  Sevier  issues  a counter  manifesto  in  explanation  of  the 
revolt  ; Gov.  Caswell’s  reply,  which  draws  from  Sevier  further  vindication. 
Major  Martin  writes  to  Caswell,  inclosing  talks  from  Chota  ; disaffection  reaches 
Virginia.  Gov.  Henry’s  message  ; boundaries  oi  Frankland  ; constitution  pre- 
pared by  Mr.  Houston ; offered  in  convention  and  rejected;  that  constitution; 
declaration  of  rights  ; qualification  for  membership  ; election  of  officers  given 
to  the  people  ; duties  of  governor  and  council  ; freemen  to  elect  registers,  magis- 
trates; provision  made  for  a university;  disputes  to  be  settled  by  arbitration. 
Gen.  Cocke  as  commissioner  to  congress  from  Franklin  ; Greeneville  the  seat  of 
government.  Treaty  of  HopevJell  ; Cherokee  boundary.  Elections  held  in 
Franklin,  of  members  to  North-Carolina  legislature  ; civil  and  military  officers 
of  Franklin.  War  with  the  Cherokees  ; valley  towns  destroyed.  Col.  Martin’s 
letter  ; commissioners  form  the  Coyatee  treaty  ; negotiation  at  Chota  Ford  trans- 
ferred to  Coyatee.  The  treaty  ; mission  of  Judge  Campbell  and  Gen.  Cocke; 
Gov.  Sevier  to  Gov.  Caswell,  accrediting  his  commissioners  ; Judge  Campbell’s 
written  argument.  Gen.  Cocke’s  address  to  North-Carolina  assembly  ; patheti- 
cally recounts  the  trials  and  makes  vindication  of  the  Franks.  Removal  of  old 
officers  draws  from  Judge  Campbell  a further  remonstrance  ; conflicts  between 
the  old  and  new  states.  Gen.  Shelby  confers  with  Gov.  Sevier;  terms  of  the 
compromise  ; a temporary  quiet  restored.  Col.  Martin  to  Gov.  Caswell ; Cas- 
well to  Sevier  ; Sevier’s  reply  ; conciliatory  letter  from  Caswell ; Gen.  Shelby 
advises  energetic  measures.  Letters  from  Cols.  Hutchings  and  Bledsoe  ; Gov. 
Caswell  dissuades  from  violence,  and  addresses  the  malcontents  ; popular  dis- 
content appeased.  Progress  of  settlements  south  of  French  Broad ; stations  in 
Sevier  and  Blount.  Heroism  of  Mrs.  M’Ewen  ; Gillaim’s  station  erected  at 
the  present  Mecklenburgh  ; Mrs.  Gillespie’s  wonderful  presence  of  mind.  White 
and  Conner  settle  the  future  Knoxville  ; the  rural  beauty  of  its  environs.  Camp- 
bell’s station.  Foreign  affairs  of  Franklin  ; law  of  the  State  of  Franklin  ; tho 
manner  of  promulgating  its  laws.  Projected  invasion  of  the  Creek  country. 
Elholm’s  embassy  to  Georgia  ; daring  feat  of  Elholm.  Franklin  negotiates  with 
Georgia  to  march  against  Creeks  ; action  of  the  Georgia  authorities.  Sevier 
elected  member  of  the  Cincinnati ; letters  encouraging  Sevier  from  Col.  Clarke, 
Col.  Downs  and  Doctor  Franklin.  Proceedings  in  Washington  county  assume 
a serious  aspect ; Sevier  invites  the  mediation  of  Georgia,  and  writes  to  its 
assembly.  Gov.  Sevier  to  Gov.  Matthews ; Cols.  Robertson  and  Bledsoe  to 
Sevier.  Major  Elholm’s  project  ;>  Col.  F.  A.  Ramsey  commissioner  from  Frank- 
lin to  North-Carolina.  Elholm’s  further  embassy  to  Georgia  ; its  success  ; 
rejoicings  in  Franklin  at  the  alliance  with  Georgia.  Sevier’s  circular  to  the 
Franklin  militia.  Western  prejudice  against  Spain.  Decline  of  the  Franklin 
government ; last  Franklin  legislature  ; its  increasing  debility  ; civil  disturb- 
ances. Sevier  and  Tipton  ; Sevier  marches  against  Tipton,  and  besieges  him 
in  his  own  house  ; rally  of  the  clans  ; besieging  forces  retire  from  Tipton’s  ; 
Pugh  is  killed  ; Tipton  releases  his  prisoners.  Sevier’s  demeanor  during  the 
siege  ; both  parties  indisposed  to  bloodshed  ; date  of  the  siege.  Sevier  writes  to 
governor  of  Georgia,  and  repairs  to  the  frontier  ; Gen.  Martin  pursues  concilia- 
tory measures  with  Sevier.  Bishop  Asbury’s  opportune  arrival  on  Watauga. 
Gov.  Johnson  directs  the  apprehension  and  arrest  of  Sevier  ; John  Sevier  to  tho 
inhabitants;  is  again  at  the  head  of  volunteers;  invades  and  punishes  tho 


COSl'KNTS. 


XIU 


Cfaerokees  ; Sitico  defeat ; other  Indian  battles.  Judge  Spencer  issues  a bench 
warrant  against  Sevier,  who  is  arrested  and  taken  prisoner  to  Morganton  ; is 
pursued  and  rescued  by  his  friends  ; his  romantic  rescue  ; escapes  without  pursuit. 
Convention  to  form  constitution  of  United  States.  Sevier’s  disabilities  removed  ; 
is  elected  senator  from  Greene,  and  member  of  congress  from  counties  west  of 
the  mountain.  People  south  of  French  Broad,  and  west  of  Pigeon,  form  articles 
of  association;  the  original  paper  containing  them  ; self-government  exercised. 
Vindication  of  Franklin  ; inhabitants  pursue  a pacific  and  conservative  policy  ; 
no  tendency  to  radicalism.  General  public  sentiment  sustained  the  revolters. 
Gen.  Cocke,  Gen.  White,  Col.  Ramsey  and  others.  - - - Page  282-444 


CHAPTER  V. 

CUMBERLAND  AND  THE  FRANKLIN  COUNTIES. 

Ominous  words  of  a young  brave  to  Daniel  Boone  : Cherokees  and  Creeks  invade 
Cumberland  ; Manseo’s  station  broken  up  ; Buchanan  pursues  the  Indians  to 
Buck  River  ; Robertson  makes  peace  with  the  Chickasaws.  Attack  upon 
Donelson’s  boats;  night  attack  on  Freeland's  station.  Mrs.  Dunham  rescues 
her  daughter;  the  Bluff  vigorously  attacked,  and  as  bravely  defended.  Buchanan 
brings  oft  Swanson  ; remarkable  recovery  of  David  Hood.  First  mills  erected  ; 
Kilgore’s  station  abandoned  ; Robertson  dissuades  the  inhabitants  from  breaking 
up  their  stations  ; obtains  a cession  from  the  Chickasaws.  Capt.  Pruett  pursues 
the  Indians  ; gallantry  of  Mason  and  Trammel ; courageous  defence  of  Aspie 
and  others  : Chickasaw  boundary.  Bledsoe  proposes  to  attack  the  Chickamau- 
gas  ; Robertson  marches  ;o  the  Tennessee  river  ; attacks  and  defeats  them  at 
Cold  water.  Indians  and  French  traders  routed  ; army  recrosses  the  Tennessee  • 
capture  of  French  traders.  Robertson’s  official  report ; disaster  to  Hay’s  boat- 
men ; Robertson’s  explanation  of  his  campaign  ; Shannon’s  expedition.  Capt. 
John  Rains — his  several  campaigns.  Indian  aggression  continues ; mission  of 
Hoggart  and  Ewing  ; Robertson  temporises  and  negotiates  skilfully.  Davidson 
county  militia  guard  the  emigrants.  Brown’s  station  attacked  ; Henry  Ramsey 
shot ; Robertson’s  station  attacked.  Arrival  of  Col.  Pillow  ; signal  valour. 
Intrepidity  and  suffering  of  the  Cumberland  people ; civil  government  at  the 
Bluff;  first  child  bom  in  Nashville;  bounty  lands  to  soldiers.  Character  of 
Isaac  Shelby  and  Gen.  Davidson.  Nashville  established  ; records  of  Davidson 
county  court;  first  officers;  superior  court  established.  Adventurous  spirit  of 
the  pioneers — a characteristic  still  of  the  young  men  of  Tennessee.  A father's 
lament  for  an  expatriated  and  deceased  son  ; a victim  of  western  adventure  ; 
treaty  stipulations.  Road  laid  off  to  Cumberland,  by  Crab  Orchard  and  Flat 
Rock  ; Sumner  county  established.  Petition  to  assembly  ; currency  of  Cumber- 
land ; manufacture  of  salt  encouraged  ; Adah’s  provision  house.  Mero  district 
established  ; remarkable  adventure  aud,  tragical  disaster  and  death  of  Col.  Brown, 
and  the  pillage  of  his  boat ; captivity  of  his  family  ; his  son  is  denuded,  and 
his  ears  bored  ; affecting  meeting  of  the  captives  ; are  exchanged  and  restored  ; 
noble  conduct  of  M’Gillevray.  Gen.  Martin’s  campaign  ; Gillespie’s  station 
taken.  Records  of  Hawkins  county  ; inhabitants  of  Franklin  return  to  their 
allegiance  ; discontents  of  the  people  revived.  North-Carolina  cedes  her  western 
territory  to  congress. Page  445.532 


XIV 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

NEGOTIATION  WITH  SPAIN. 

Spain  claims  all  of  Tennessee,  west  of  Hiwassee  river  ; proposal  of  Mr.  Jay  to 
forbear  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  excites  indignation  in  the  west.  The 
western  people  project  a hostile  invasion  of  Louisiana  ; Gen. Wilkinson’s  mission 
to  New  Orleans.  Mr.  Jay’s  advice  to  congress  ; resolutions  of  congress  ; Mero’s 
policy  partly  successful ; diplomacy  and  intrigue  of  Spain  and  her  colonial 
authorities.  Baron  De  Carondelet  succeeds  Mero  ; M.  Genet  issues  commissions  ; 
Carondelet  renews  the  intrigue,  to  separate  the  west  from  the  Atlantic  states  ; 
treaty  made,  and  boundary  run.  Integrity  of  the  western  settlers  ; the  west 
remained  unreduced  --------  Page  523-540 


CHAPTER  VII. 

TERRITORY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  SOUTH  OF  OHIO  RIVER. 

William  Blount  appointed  governor  ; his  character  ; arrives  in  the  territory,  and 
assumes  its  government.  Mission  of  Major  King  to  the  Cherokees  ; Blount’s 
familiarity  with  Indian  affairs  ; is  appointed  superintendent  of  the  four  southern 
tribes  ; his  duties  were  laborious,  delicate  and  responsible.  Expedition  of  Zae- 
chariah  Cox  to  Muscle  Shoals  ; mouth  of  French  Broad  appointed  as  the  place 
of  rendezvous  ; descends  the  river  to  Muscle  Shoals ; the  Glass  requires  him  to 
abandon  his  fortifications  ; Cox  indicted  and  acquitted  ; repulse  of  the  Indiana 
at  Houston’s  station.  Levies  are  sent  to  reinforce  Gen.  St.  Clair  ; heroism  of  the 
Tiptons ; the  treaty  of  Holston  ; boundary.  First  printing  press  in  Tennessee. 
Knoxville  established  ; its  first  inhabitants  and  their  houses.  Scalp  dance  in 
Cherokee  towns  ; Mrs.  Campbell’s  intrepidity.  Zeigler’s  station  attacked  ; militia 
called  out ; inadequate  force  iu  the  stations.  Blount’s  report  of  attack  oa 
Buchanan’s  station.  Knox  and  Jefferson  counties  laid  off ; Knox  county  records. 
Scouts  on  French  Broad  ; Blount’s  letters  ; Capt.  Handley’s  defeat ; his  captivity 
and  restoration  ; his  letter  during  his  captivity.  The  people  incensed  ; hostilities 
continue.  Jefferson  county  records ; Beard’s  attack  on  the  Hanging  Maw. 
Andrew  Croswell’s  station.  Doherty  invades  the  Cherokees ; army  of  1,000 
Cherokees  march  against  Knoxville  ; massacre  at  Cavet’s  station  ; Col.  White 
takes  measures  of  defence.  Volunteers  concentrate  at  Ish’s  ; army  marches  under 
Sevier  and  encounters  and  defeats  the  enemy,  at  Etowah  ; decisive  victory, 
Sevier’s  report ; campaign  closes  ; terminates  Sevier’s  military  life;  his  character. 
Funeral  procession  attacked  by  Indians  ; Spencer  killed.  Dreadful  massacre  at 
Casteel's  ; of  his  whole  family  but  one  survived.  Scott’s  boat  captured,  and  his 
crew  killed.  McClelland’s  repulse  by  the  Creeks  ; murder  of  Valentine  Sevier’s 
family.  Gen.  Robertson  wounded;  Indian  hostilities;  conference  with  them,  at 
Nashville.  Defence  of  Buchanan’s  station  ; heroic  repulse  at  Greenfield  ; Gen. 
Hall’s  gallantry.  Major  Beard’s  route" ; Capts.  Gordon  and  Rains  overtake 
and  defeat  the  Indians.  Robertson  conceives  the  design  of  invading  the  five 
lower  towns ; route  to  them  discovered.  Rendezvous  of  the  volunteers  near 
Nashville  ; order  from  Gen.  Robertson  to  Major  Ore.  Army  crosses  the  Ten 
nessee  ; battle  of  Nickajack  ; Indiaus  reinforced  from  Running  Water  Town. 
The  heroine  of  Nickajack  ; surprise  of  the  Indians  ; Col.  Whitley’s  new  mode 


CONTENTS. 


XV 


©f  warfare ; Major  Ore’s  official  report.  Nickajaek  expedition ; Robertson 
vindicates  the  invasion.  Original  letter  of  Valentine  Sevier.  Results  of  the 
Etowah  and  Nickajaek  expeditions.  Territorial  legislature  meets  ; forward 
memorial  to  congress  ; legislative  council  ; parliamentary  rules,  bills  ; Knox 
county  members  absent  on  a scout.  Dr.  White  elected  the  territorial  delegate  ; 
one  shilling  fine  assessed  on  absent  members  ; primitive  times  in  Knoxville. 
H„  L.  White  appointed  private  secretary  of  Gov.  Blount ; wages  of  members. 
First  public  printer  appointed  ; difficulty  in  adjusting  taxes.  Resolution  prepa- 
ratory to  a state  organization  ; assembly  prorogued.  Sevier  county  ; its  extensive 
jurisdiction.  Knoxville  the  ancient  capital  of  Tennessee.  Heroism  of  Mrs. 
Mann.  Blount’s  message ; flattering  state  of  the  finances ; Blount  county 
established.  Gov.Vanderhorst  suggests  the  opening  of  roads  from  South-Carolina 
to  Tennessee.  Territorial  government  terminates  ; court  of  Gov.  Blount. 

Page  541-646 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  STATE  OF  TENNESSEE. 

Census  of  the  territory  ; Blount’s  proclamation  ; convention  of  Tennessee  meets  at 
Knoxville  ; Blount  elected  president ; form  a constitution  ; debates  of  the  con- 
vention ; decision  on  several  questions.  Andrew  Jackson  suggests  the  name 
Tennessee  to  new  state  ; constitution  forwarded  to.  Secretary  Pickering.  First 
legislature  of  Tennessee  ; John  Sevier  inaugurated  first  governor.  Senators  to 
congress  elected  ; legislative  address  to  each  senator  ; his  reply  ; judges  and 
other  officers  elected ; instructions  to  senators.  Robertson  and  Montgomery 
counties  laid  off ; Carter  and  Grainger  counties  ; finances.  Action  of  congress 
concerning  the  admission  of  Tennessee  into  the  union  ; Washington’s  message  ; 
reports  of  congressional  committees.  Gov.  Sevier  convenes  the  legislature  ; 
his  message  ; reply  of  the  legislature  ; act  providing  for  election  of  electors  of 
president  and  vice-president.  Andrew  Jackson  elected  first  representative  to 
congress  ; supports  the  claims  of  the  volunteers  ; his  speech  in  their  behalf. — 
Bear  barbacued  on  the  ice.  Federal  troops  at  Knoxville;  vindication  of  state 
rights.  “ Campbell”  enlarges  upon  the  argument;  subject  continued.  Action 
of  congress  on  the  land  claims  of  Tennessee.  Louis  Philippe  in  Knoxville. 
Mail  facilities  in  Tennessee;  legislature  meets.  Cocke  county  established. — 
Coxe’s  expedition  prevented  by  Col.  Butler.  U.  S.  commissioners  hold  a treaty 
at  Tellico.  Sevier  appoints  agents  to  represent  Tennessee  ; they  attend  the 
treaty  ; Cherokee  boundary.  Original  letter  of  Gen.  Washington  ; list  of  senators 
and  representatives  from  Tennessee,  in  congress.  Blount’s  impeachment ; is 
acquitted;  vindication  of  Blount;  his  decease.  Legislature  meets;  governor’s 
message.  Smith,  Wilson  and  Williamson  counties  laid  off;  sons  of  Tennessee 
in  other  states.  Governor  Sevier’s  court ; his  country  residence  ; his  character- 
Decease  of  Sevier  and  Robertson  ; they  deserve  a cenotaph.  Appeal  to  the  pub- 
lic spirit  of  Tennessee  ; characteristics  of  the  pioneers  ; frontier  life  ; manners, 
society  and  education  ; their  costume,  amusements  and  pursuits  ; dwelling-houses 
and  homes  of  the  frontier  people  ; great  adaptation  of  the  soil  to  the  production 
of  Indian  corn  ; its  various  uses.  The  sports  of  the  backwoodsman  ; barring 
out  “the  master.”  A Christmas  on  the  frontier;  rural  frolics.  Stamina  of  early 


XVI 


COSIESTS ERRATA. 


Tennessee  character  ; dearth  of  the  means  of  moral  and  intellectual  education. 
Nashville  a great  source  of  improvement  to  the  country;  her  merchants  skiifal, 
enlightened  and  public-spirited.  Patriotism  of  the  people  a principle  deep,  strong, 
active,  full  of  vitality  and  vigour.  Great  religious  revival  ; first  camp  meeting. 
Frontier  education  ; the  illiterate  not  necessarily  ignorant ; general  intelligence 
of  the  frontier  people.  Power  of  vigorous  thought ; moral  training  of  the  fire- 
side ; home  influence;  the  pleasant  charities  of  life.  Lofty  state  pride  of  the 
Tennessean.  Appendix  ; county  boundaries.  ....  Page  647-744 


ERRATA. 

The  William  Trousdale  mentioned  on  page  611  was  not  William  Trousdale,  lat<? 

Governor  of  Tennessee. 

In  the  fifth  line,  on  page  509,  erase  “ the  late.” 

On  the  eighteenth  line  of  page  241,  add  ere  to  Sawy,  so  as  to  read  Sawyers. 


INTRODUCTION.* 


When  Columbus,  in  the  name  of  their  Catholic  majesties, 
took  formal  possession  of  San  Salvador,  the  natives  of  that 
island  stood  around  and  gazed  upon  the  strange  ceremony  in 
silent  admiration.  A feeling,  somewhat  dissimilar,  but  scarcely 
less  intense,  would  be  excited  in  the  bosom  of  an  aboriginal 
inhabitant  of  Tennessee,  could  he  now  revisit  this  theatre  of 
his  nation’s  existence.  Could  he  stand  upon  an  eminence, 
near  the  ancient  capital  of  the  state,  and  survey  the  scenes 
now  presented  to  his  view,  he  would  notice  with  surprise  the 
magic  changes  effected  in  this  land  of  his  fathers.  The  soli- 
tude of  his  native  forest  has  given  place  to  the  industry  and 
enterprise  of  a strange  people  ; its  silence  is  dissipated  by  the 
hum  of  business,  and  its  quiet  disturbed  by  the  incessant  toil 
and  the  active  pursuits  of  civilized  life.  The  ancient  woods 
have  been  felled,  and  the  wilderness  converted  to  the  purposes 
of  agriculture.  A town  has  risen  up,  as  if  by  enchantment, 
presenting  to  his  astonished  view  the  evidences  which  sur- 
round him,  of  wealth,  of  commerce,  of  learning  and  the  arts. 
Associating  the  awakened  recollections  of  his  boyhood  with 
the  transmutation  before  him,  he  would  withdraw  from  the 
unwelcome  contrast,  and,  chagrined  and  sorrowful,  seek  else- 
where some  solace  to  his  wounded  spirit.  Repairing  to  the 
place  where  once  stood  the  wigwam  of  his  father,  he  finds 
erected  over  it  the  stately  mansion  of  the  white  man.  He 
recollects  to  have  seen  his  chieftain  recording  his  victories 
upon  a tree,  or  perpetuating  the  annals  of  his  tribe  in  rude 
hieroglyphics  upon  the  mountain  granite.  These  vestiges, 

* Much  of  this  Introduction  is  taken  from  the  “ Address  ” delivered  by  this  ■writer 
at  the  organization  of  the  “ East  Tennessee  Historical  and  Antiquarian  Society.” 

1 


2 


INTRODUCTION. 


too,  have  disappeared.  The  war-paths  of  his  ancestors  have 
been  converted  into  the  channels  of  a gainful  commerce  ; in 
the  place  of  their  extinguished  council  fires,  are  seen  the 
courts  of  justice  ; and  amidst  the  ruins  of  their  Pagan  tem- 
ples, churches,  consecrated  to  the  worship  of  the  true  God, 
elevate  their  spires  in  the  direction  of  the  Christian’s  hope — 
to  heaven. 

This  sudden  transition  from  barbarism  and  rudeness  to 
civilization  and  refinement,  it  is  the  business  of  history  to  ex- 
amine, investigate  and  record.  Labouring  in  this  extended 
field,  the  curious  student  will  be  carried  back  to  that  period 
when  the  “ great  West  ” was 

“ A solitude  of  vast  extent,  untouched 
By  hand  of  art ; where  nature  §ow’d  herself, 

And  reap’d  her  crops 

when,  as  yet,  no  Anglo-American  had  penetrated  the  dark 
recesses  of  the  Alleghany,  or  explored  the  unknown  wilds 
now  embraced  within  the  limits  of  Tennessee.  He  will  be 
led  to  analyze  the  first  promptings  of  that  spirit  of  adventure 
which  incited  the  pioneers  of  the  country  to  leave  their  homes 
of  peace,  safety  and  comfort,  to  endure  the  toils  and  priva- 
tions of  a mountain  desert,  to  brave  the  dangers  of  an  un- 
known wilderness,  and  to  disregard  the  perils  attending  the 
formation  of  a remote  and  feeble  settlement  upon  the  bor- 
ders of  numerous  and  warlike  tribes,  jealous  of  their  ap- 
proach, and  determined  to  resist  it.  Extending  his  researches, 
he  will  find  that  no  section  of  the  United  States  has  fur- 
nished more  of  interesting  and  attractive  incident,  than  is 
presented  from  a review  of  the  first  exploration  and  settle- 
ment of  Tennessee.  The  tales  of  romance  are  scarcely  equal 
to  the  patient  perseverance,  enterprise  and  hardihood,  the 
daring  heroism  and  chivalrous  adventure,  of  its  inhabitants. 
Savage  barbarity  drenched  the  frontier  with  the  blood  of  the 
first  emigrants,  and  the  hardy  soldier,  alike  with  the  helples- 
female  and  the  child,  became  victims  to  the  scalping  knife 
and  the  tomahawk  of  the  Indian.  The  industrious  husband- 
man derived  no  immunity  from  the  common  danger,  in  his 
peaceful  pursuits,  but  found  a grave  where  he  hoped  to  gather 
a harvest ; and  the  secluded  and  quiet  cabin,  lighted  by 


INTRODUCTION. 


3 


savage  incendiaries,  became  the  funeral  pile  of  its  occupants. 
Every  valley  became  the  avenue  of  Indian  aggression,  and 
every  mountain  a lurking  place  for  the  merciless  Cherokee. 
Nothing  intimidated  by  these  circumstances,  the  constant 
attendants  of  the  pioneers  of  the  wilderness,  they  became,  in 
their  turn,  the  invaders ; and  on  the  rugged  banks  of  the  Ken- 
hawa,  in  the  wilds  of  Cumberland  and  on  the  plains  of  Coosa, 
we  hear  of  their  daring  adventure,  their  prowess  and  their 
triumph. 

But  the  proudest  recollections  are  awakened,  when  we  re- 
cur to  the  part  taken  by  the  infant  settlements  on  Holston, 
Watauga,  and  Nollichuckee,  in  that  “ perilous  conflict  that 
tried  men’s  souls,”  and  at  its  darkest  period,  when  the  confi- 
dence of  the  firmest  friends  of  independence  was  shaken, 
when  British  valour  and  the  treachery  of  the  disaffected  in  the 
South  had  given  an  ascendency  to  the  royal  army,  and 
threatened  an  easy  conquest  of  other  sections  of  the  Confede- 
racy. South-Carolina  was  scarcely  longer  considered  an 
American  state,  but  a subdued  British  colony ; — her  lion- 
hearted  and  invincible  whigs,  indignant  but  not  dispirited, 
retiring  before  the  invading  enemy,  had  sought  an  asylum 
in  the  frontier  of  the  West.  It  was  at  this  crisis  the  pioneers 
of  Tennessee — though  by  their  remote  and  insulated  position 
secure  from  foreign  invasion,  and  exposed  at  home  to  the 
cruelties  of  a savage  foe — evinced  their  devotion  to  the  cause 
of  their  country  and  of  freedom.  At  this  crisis,  western  patri- 
otism projected  the  most  daring  expedition,  and  western  va- 
lour achieved  the  brightest  victory,  which  adorn  the  page  of 
our  revolutionary  history.  Free  as  the  air  of  their  mountains, 
and  indignant  that  the  land  of  freemen  should  be  polluted  by 
the  footsteps  of  an  invader,  the  patriots  of  the  West  flew, 
uninvited,  to  the  rescue  of  their  bleeding  country — ascending 
the  Alleghany,  and  precipitating  themselves  from  its  summit, 
they  overwhelmed  the  enemy  with  discomfiture  and  death. 

The  early  civil  and  political  history  of  Tennessee  presents, 
also,  a fruitful  and  interesting  subject  of  investigation.  A 
feeble  and  remote  settlement  of  hunters,  herdsmen  and  small 
farmers — dissociated  from  Virginia  and  North-Carolina  by 
the  intervention  of  a desert  mountain,  not  embraced  within 


4 


INTRODUCTION. 


the  ascertained  boundaries,  and  beyond  the  reach  of  the  ju- 
risdiction of  either  province,  without  its  laws,  its  courts  and 
its  protection — this  primitive,  simple  and  virtuous  commu- 
nity, formed  a civil  and  military  organization  adapted  to 
their  peculiar  condition,  and,  under  the  unpretending  name 
of  the  Watauga  Association,  laid  the  foundation  of  the  future 
Tennessee.  Assuming  for  themselves  the  name  of  Washing- 
ton District — the  first  thus  entitled  to  the  credit  of  doing  this 
honour  to  the  father  of  his  country — at  the  dawn  of  Ameri- 
can independence  these  pioneers  of  the  West  applied  to  the 
Council  of  North-Carolina  to  be  annexed  to  that  province. 
They  give  as  reasons,  in  support  of  their  application,  that 
“they  had  already  organized  their  militia,  and  were  willing 
to  become  a party  in  the  existing  war,  acknowledging 
themselves  indebted  to  the  American  colonies  their  full  pro- 
portion of  the  Continental  expense,  and  pledging  their  deter- 
mination to  adhere  “ to  the  glorious  cause  in  which  we  are 
now  struggling,  and  to  contribute  to  the  welfare  of  our  own 
or  of  ages  yet  to  come.”  This  pledge  was  most  nobly 
redeemed, — the  revolution  was  effected,  and  independence 
achieved. 

Become  thus  a colonial  appendage  of  North-Carolina, 
consisting  of  intrepid  adventurers  from  every  section  of  the 
country,  and  bound  together  by  no  principles  of  union  but  a 
sense  of  common  danger,  they  were  ceded  by  the  mother  state, 
soon  after,  to  the  Congress  of  the  Confederacy,  and  thus 
reduced  to  a condition  of  political  orphanage.  Struggling 
with  the  difficulties  attendant  on  such  a state,  its  onward 
march  may  be  traced,  with  much  interest  and  curiosity, 
through  the  period  of  its  existence  as  the  State  of  Franklin. 
This  incipient  effort  of  the  western  people  to  exercise  the 
“ divine  right”  of  self-government — this  first  combination  of 
the  discordant  materials,  of  which  the  trans-montane  com- 
munity then  consisted — their  crude  and  immature  legislation, 
the  disorder  and  tumult  which  resulted,  their  return  to 
their  former  allegiance,  and  the  overthrow  of  the  new  com- 
monwealth,— are  all  fruitful  themes  of  research  and  enquiry. 
From  the  investigation  of  these,  the  philosophic  historian  will 
be  furnished  with  irrefragable  proofs  of  the  adequacy  of  the 


INTRODUCTION. 


5 


people,  under  tlie  most  unfavourable  circumstances,  to  gov- 
ern themselves,  and  will  be  enabled  to  trace  the  important 
bearing  these  unhappy  commotions  had  upon  great  national 
interests,  till  then  not  perceived  in  their  true  light. 

Peace,  order  and  law,  succeeding  to  tumult,  and  chaos, 
and  violence,  the  character  of  the  partizan  became  merged 
in  that  of  the  citizen  and  patriot ; and  throughout  the  subse- 
quent stages  of  political  organization,  whether  as  a territory 
of  the  United  States,  or  as  one  of  the  independent  sovereign- 
ties constituting  the  American  Union,  we  are  proud  to  find 
the  impress  of  the  valour,  virtue  and  patriotism  of  the  first 
emigrants,  stamped  upon  their  descendants,  who,  obeying  the 
injunction, 

“ Let  no  mean  hope  your  souls  enslave ; 

Be  independent,  generous,  brave  ; 

Tour  fathers  such  example  gave, 

And  such  revere !” 

have,  in  all  after  times,  emulated  the  heroism  exhibited  by 
their  ancestors  in  their  own  wilderness  and  on  the  heights  of 
King’s  Mountain  ; and  animated  by  the  same  lofty  spirit  of 
freedom  and  independence,  and  glowing  with  the  holiest  im- 
pulses of  patriotism,  have  displayed  at  Tohopeka  and 
Emuckfaw,  in  the  fastnesses  of  Florida,  on  the  plains  of  the 
Mississippi,  at  the  Alamo  and  St.  Jacinto,  under  the  walls  of 
Monterey,  at  Cerro  Gordo,  Contreras,  Cherubusco  and  Cha- 
pultepec,  the  same  fearless  disregard  of  danger,  the  same  in- 
extinguishable love  of  freedom,  the  same  pure  devotion  to 
liberty,  the  same  undying  thirst  for  glory. 

The  soldiery  of  Tennessee  have,  under  the  lead  of  her  own 
Jackson,  hallowed  the  plains  of  Chalmette  with  a renown  as 
extensive  and  immortal  as  the  channel  and  the  sources  of 
the  Mississippi.  The  lustre  of  the  escutcheon  of  Tennessee 
has  grown  brighter  wherever  they  were  present,  whether 
serving  in  the  ranks,  or  leading  the  battalions  and  columns 
of  the  Volunteer  State  to  the  assault  of  a fortress  or  against 
the  bristling  bayonets  of  an  enemy.  On  the  fields  of  battle 
where  the  riflemen  of  Tennessee  have  fought,  new  laurels 
have  been  won,  fresh  victories  have  been  achieved,  and  un- 


6 


INTRODUCTION. 


dying  glory  acquired,  worthy  of  her  ancient  fame  and  her 
deathless  renown. 

Virginia  has  been  called  the  mother  of  statesmen.  Ten- 
nessee, with  equal  truth,  has  been  called  the  mother  of  states. 
From  her  prolific  bosom,  more  than  from  any  other  state  in 
the  Union,  have  been  sent  forth  annually,  for  half  a century, 
numerous  colonies  for  the  peopling  of  the  great  valley  of  the 
Mississippi.  Her  emigrants  are  found  everywhere  in  Ala- 
bama, Florida,  Northern  Georgia  and  Mississippi.  The  early 
population  of  Missouri,  Arkansas  and  Texas,  went  from  her 
boundaries  ; while  the  entire  Northwest  of  the  United  States, 
and  the  Pacific  possessions,  have  been  enriched  from  year  to 
year  by  swarms  of  her  enterprising  and  adventurous  people 
from  the  parent  hive. 

Tennessee  has  already  assumed  an  elevated  rank  among 
her  sister  republics,  tier  future  must  be  prouder  and  even 
magnificent.  From  the  amount  of  her  population,  now  num- 
bering more  than  a million,*  from  the  extent  of  her  territory, 

* Tennessee  Statistics  of  1850,  in  population,  agriculture,  manufactures,  c be. 

The  relative  rank  of  Tennessee,  as  compared  with  other  states  of  the  Union,  is: 

In  area  of  square  miles,  Tennessee  is  the  seventeenth,  containing  45,600  square 
miles. 

In  population,  the  fifth,  and  the  second  of  the  Western  States — being  exceeded 
only  by  New- York,  Pennsylvania,  Virginia  and  Ohio. 

In  number  of  inhabitants  to  the  square  mile,  the  sixteenth. 

In  ratio  of  deaths  to  the  number  of  living  in  1850,  the  fifth — being  exceeded 
even  in  a cholera  year  only  by  Wisconsin,  Vermont,  Iowa  and  Michigan. 

In  number  of  acres  of  improved  land,  the  eighth. 

In  value  of  agriculture,  implements,  &c.,  the  eleventh. 

In  value  of  live  stock,  the  seventh. 

In  number  of  bushels  of  Indian  corn,  the  fifth — being  exceeded  only  by  Ohio, 
Kentucky,  Illinois  and  Indiana — the  product  of  Tennessee,  in  1850,  being 
52,131,863  bushels.  In  the  census  of  1840,  Tennessee  was  the  first  in  the  pro- 
duct of  this  grain. 

In  tobacco,  the  fourth — being  exceeded  only  by  Virginia,  Kentucky  and  Mary- 
land— the  crop  of  1850  being  20,144,480  pounds. 

In  number  of  bales  of  cotton,  the  fifth — the  amount  of  the  year’s  crop  being 
112,625  bales  ; being  exceeded  only  by  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Georgia  and  South- 
Carolina. 

In  the  production  of  wool,  the  eleventh. 

In  the  value  of  home  made  manufactures,  the  first  state  in  the  Union,  amount- 
ing, in  1850,  to  $3,168,116. 


INTRODUCTION. 


7 


and  from  her  peculiar  geographical  location,  touching  upon 
eight  members  of  the  Union,  and  in  close  propinquity  to  three 
others,  she  will  in  all  future  time  exert  a weighty  influence 
* upon  coterminous  states,  as  well  as  upon  the  country  at  large. 
She  has  already  furnished  two  Presidents  of  the  U.  States— 
Jackson  and  Polk — whose  iron  will  and  energy,  whose  ability 
and  virtue,  have  stamped  their  administrations  as  worthy 
of  the  state,  honourable  and  glorious  to  themselves,  and 
eminently  useful  to  the  country  and  to  the  world.  White 
and  Grundy  have  added  dignity  and  effulgence  to  the  United 
States  Senate  ; and  a long  list  of  statesmen,  and  jurists,  and 
patriots,  and  heroes,  have  adorned  the  public  councils,  the 
bar,  the  bench,  and  in  peace  and  war  given  eclat  and  celebrity 
to  Tennessee.  This  relative  consequence  will  become  still 
more  considerable  when  a concentration  of  the  intelligence, 
and  public  spirit,  and  enterprise  of  her  citizens,  shall  have 
more  fully  developed  her  physical  and  commercial  resources. 
Her  history  is  becoming,  therefore,  every  day  more  inter- 
esting and  more  important.  What  visions  of  the  future 
greatness  and  glory  of  their  country,  would  have  burst  upon 
the  view  of  Boone  and  his  associates,  could  they  have  con- 
ceived, that  their  lonely  and  toilsome  passage  through  the 
Apalachian  mountain  should  open  up  a communication  to 
the  West,  for  that  flood  of  emigration,  which,  restrained  for 
a time  within  narrower  limits,  at  length  broke  over  every  im- 
pediment, and  extending  further,  and  wider,  and  onward,  has 
overspread  the  vast  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and  crossed,  in 
its  mighty  sweep  of  adventurous  enterprise,  the  mountain  de- 
sert and  the  arid  plain,  to  the  shores  of  the  distant  Pacific? 
How  must  the  heart  of  Robertson  have  thrilled  with  honest 
exultation,  when  he  saw  his  feeble  settlement  on  Watauga 
expand  and  grow  to  its  present  dimensions ; and  what  rays  of 
comfort  would  have  cheered  the  evening  of  his  life,  could  he 
have  realized  that  Tennessee,  in  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty, 

In  the  value  of  cotton  manufactures,  the  eleventh. 

In  the  value  of  woollen  goods,  the  tenth. 

In  the  value  of  pig  iron,  the  fourth. 

In  the  value  of  wrought  iron,  the  sixth. 

[Extracted from  Nashville  American ; 


8 


INTRODUCTION. 


had  become  in  population  the  fifth  state  in  the  Union,  and 
the  second  of  its  western  division  ? With  what  zeal  should 
we  of  the  present  day  cherish  a grateful  and  hallowed  re- 
membrance of  the  wisdom,  patriotism  and  enterprise,  which 
have  bequeathed  to  us  such  a country,  and  endowed  it  with 
the  “ patrimonial  blessings  of  wise  institutions,  of  liberty  and 
of  religion  ?”  How  keen  should  be  our  regret  that  we  know 
so  little  of  those  who  have  done  so  much  for  us?  With  one 
brilliant  exception,  no  one  has  attempted  to  perpetuate  the 
achievements  of  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee.  An  adopted  son 
is  the  only  one  who  has  recorded  her  annals.  In  his  history 
the  late  Judge  Haywood  has  left  a monument  of  industry,  of 
research  and  of  talents,  scarcely  less  imperishable  or  honour- 
able to  himself,  than  the  distinction  acquired  in  another  de- 
partment of  science — of  being  designated,  by  a competent 
authority,  the  Mansfield  of  America.  But  it  is  no  qualifica- 
tion of  this  just  and  sincere  tribute  to  his  memory  to  add,  that 
he  has  left  much  of  the  field  before  us  unoccupied,  unexplored 
and  unknown.  Some  of  the  most  brilliant  incidents  in  our 
early  history  are  unrecorded,  which,  if  not  soon  rescued  from 
oblivion,  will  be  lost  to  the  present  generation,  posterity  and 
the  world.  We  design,  by  this  remark,  no  imputation  of  in- 
difference or  neglect  on  the  part  of  those  who  have  gone 
before  us.  The  omission  may  be  traced  to  a more  obvious 
cause.  The  condition  of  the  country  at  its  first  settlement, 
created  a continued  demand  for  exertion  in  the  active  pur- 
suits of  life.  Cut  offby  their  local  situation  from  all  foreign 
sources  of  supply,  the  first  adventurers  depended  upon  their 
own  labour  in  their  own  country,  for  the  procurement  of  sub- 
sistence. A wilderness  was  to  be  reclaimed  to  the  use  of  the 
husbandman,  a border  warfare  was  to  be  kept  up,  defences 
were  to  be  erected,  and  the  foundations  of  government  were  to 
be  laid.  From  the  pressure  of  these  varied  demands  upon 
their  time,  no  leisure  was  allowed  to  record  their  achieve- 
ments, to  perpetuate  the  tales  of  their  privations  and  suffer- 
ings, to  narrate  the  deliberations  of  their  sages,  or  the  prowess 
of  their  heroes.  This  duty  has  devolved  upon  their  grate- 
ful posterity.  The  task,  however,  is  not  without  its  difficul- 
ties. Much  is  already  forgotten,  and  has  faded  from  the 


INTRODUCTION. 


9 


minds  of  the  oldest  inhabitant ; much  is  indistinctly  remem- 
bered, or  handed  down  by  vague  and  uncertain  tradition. 
Bat  difficult  as  it  is,  the  duty  has  been  attempted.  To  have 
shrunk  from  its  performance,  were  a parricidal  ingratitude. 
Its  omission  would  have  been  criminal. 

In  the  investigations  which  have  been  made  of  the  history 
of  Tennessee,  and  the  result  of  which  is  given  in  these  pages, 
the  usual  assistance  has  not  been  derived  from  the  archives 
of  state  and  the  portfolios  of  ministers.  Sources  more  hum- 
ble, but  not  less  authentic,  have  supplied  this  defect.  The 
writer  has  procured  the  narratives  of  the  older  citizens,  who 
have,  “ ab  urbe  condita,”  resided  in  the  country  and  partici- 
pated in  its  settlement  and  defence,  and  each  of  whom  may 
truthfully  say  of  the  events  he  narrates,  “ quorum  magna 
pars  yah”  He  has  examined  the  papers  of  their  deceased 
contemporaries,  which  have  survived  the  ravages  of  time  and 
accident.  He  has,  with  untiring  perseverance,  searched  for 
and  obtained  “the  private  files  of  the  leaders  of  the  day.” 
In  the  loft  of  a humble  cabin,  in  a secluded  neighbourhood, 
he  was  so  fortunate  as  to  find  many  of  the  official  papers  of 
the  State  of  Franklin  ; in  another,  the  lost  constitution  of 
the  inchoate  or  proposed  State  of  Frankland.  In  the  garret 
of  an  old  uninhabited  mansion,  in  Knoxville,  was  found  an 
antique  trunk,  containing  the  Sevier  papers.  From  like 
sources,  much  of  the  matter  in  this  volume  has  been  pro- 
cured. But  these  manuscripts,  valuable  and  interesting  as 
they  are,  furnished  an  inadequate  supply  of  material  neces- 
sary to  form  the  Annals  of  Tennessee.  The  deficit  has 
been  made  up  by  oral  communications  to  this  writer  from 
the  aged  pioneer,  whom  he  has  visited  in  health  and  watched 
over  in  sickness,  and  from  whose  dying  couch  he  has  received, 
as  a rich  legacy,  an  account  of  the  services  of  his  youth  and 
the  exploits  of  his  manhood.  He  has  seen  the  eye  of  the 
aged  narrator  sparkle  with  unwonted  brilliancy  during  the 
recital,  the  heart  of  the  infirm  pulsate  with  unnatural  vigour, 
and  the  spirit  of  the  decrepid  warrior  animated  with  the  fire 
of  youthful  heroism. 

Narratives,  thus  obtained,  are  the  authority  for  many  of 
the  incidents  which  will  be  hereafter  detailed.  Their  fre- 


10 


INTRODUCTION. 


quency  and  minuteness  will,  to  some  readers,  be  tedious  and 
uninteresting.  When  known  to  be  authentic,  the  writer  con- 
ceives them  to  be  worthy  of  preservation  in  the  annals  of  his 
countrymen. 

Intimately  blended  with  the  general  history  of  Tennessee, 
is  the  biography  of  the  prominent  actors  in  the  interesting 
scenes  it  records.  We  are  proud  to  mention,  among  the 
patriot  sages  of  the  country,  the  names  of  Carter,  Cocke, 
Campbell,  the  Blounts,  Jackson,  White,  Claiborne,  Roane, 
Scott,  McNairy  and  Trimble  ; among  the  apostles  of  religion 
and  learning,  Doak,  Barton,  Houston,  Craighead,  Carrick, 
Brooks  and  Stone.  Our  state  pride  is  justly  excited  when, 
among  American  worthies,  we  enumerate  Boone,  Christian, 
the  Seviers,  the  Robertsons,  the  Shelbys,  the  Tiptons — names 
dear  to  the  country  and  known  to  fame.  Yet,  where  will 
be  found  a detailed  account  of  their  services,  their  exploits, 
or  their  sufferings  ? Where  will  be  read  the  affecting  story 
of  the  patriotic  and  brave  Tipton,  who,  when  peace  was 
restored  to  his  own  frontier,  gallantly  led  his  soldiers  to  the 
standard  of  his  country  under  St.  Clair,  and  fell  fighting  in 
the  unequal  conflict,  refusing  to  leave  the  field  while  an 
enemy  survived  him?  Who  has  heard  the  last  injunction  to 
his  family,  given  apparently  under  the  presentiment  of  cer- 
tain death  ? Who  has  read  the  biography  of  Shelby,  whose 
youthful  patriotism  first  glowed  under  the  genial  influence  of 
a Carolina  sky,  but  retained  its  ardour  undiminished  by  the 
cold  and  chilling  temperature  of  a Canadian  winter  ? And 
who  has  been  the  biographer  of  our  own  Sevier,  that  noble 
chieftain  that  led  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee  to  battle  and  to 
victory  ? Who  has  recited  his  civic  deeds  ? or  who,  when  a 
grateful  Tennessean,  wandering  over  the  plains  of  Alabama, 
enquires  in  his  lonely  exile  for  the  grave  of  the  first  general 
and  the  first  governor  in  the  West,  can  point  to  the  place  of 
his  entombment  ? On  what  field  of  victory  has  Tennessee 
gratitude  erected  his  cenotaph  ? 

“ How  died  that  hero  ? In  the  field,  with  banners  o’er  him  thrown  ? 

"With  trumpets  in  his  falling  ear  by  charging  squadrons  blown  ? 

With  scattered  foemen  flying  fast  and  fearfully  before  him  ? 

With  shouts  of  triumph  swelling  round,  and  brave  men  bending  o’er  him  ? 

He  died  not  thus  ; no  war  note  round  him  rang  ; 


INTRODUCTION. 


11 


No  warriors  underneath  his  eyes  in  harness’d  squadrons  sprang  ; 

Alone  he  perished  in  the  land  he  sav’d, 

And  where  in  war  the  victor  stood,  in  peace  he  found  a grave. 

Ah,  let  the  tear  flow  freely  now,  it  will  not  awake  the  sleeper, 

And  higher  as  ye  pile  his  tomb,  his  slumber  shall  be  deeper. 

Freemen  may  sound  the  solemn  dirge — the  funeral  chant  be  spoken ; 

The  quiet  of  the  dead  is  not  by  idle  mockeries  broken  ! 

Yet,  let  Tennessee’S  banner  droop  above  the  fallen  chief, 

And  let  the  mountaineer’s  dark  eye  be  dim  with  earnest  grief ; 

For  who  will  stand  as  he  has  stood,  with  willing  heart  and  hand, 

To  wrestle  well  with  freedom’s  foes, — defender  of  his  land  !” 

To  remedy  and  supply,  in  some  small  degree,  the  defects 
and  omissions  thus  alluded  to,  is  the  object  and  design  of  the 
succeeding  pages.  In  the  execution  of  this  purpose,  the  writer 
proposes  to  give — 

. 1st.  The  discovery  and  exploration  of  the  country  now 
known  as  the  State  of  Tennessee,  the  first  approaches  of 
civilization  to  it,  and  some  account  of  the  contiguous  Indian 
tribes. 

2d.  Its  settlement  and  government  under  the  Watauga 
Association. 

3d.  As  a part  of  North-Carolina,  embracing  the  participa- 
tion of  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee  in  the  war  of  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution. 

4th.  The  history  of  the  revolt  of  the  three  western  coun- 
ties, and  of  the  insurrectionary  State  of  Franklin. 

5th.  The  history  of  the  Cumberland  settlements,  and  of  the 
Franklin  counties,  after  they  returned  to  their  allegiance  to 
the  mother  state. 

6th.  The  subject  of  the  relations  with  Spain,  and  the  ne- 
gotiation with  that  Power,  relating  to  boundaries  and  the 
navigation  of  the  Mississippi  river. 

7th.  The  territory  of  the  United  States  south  of  the  River 
Ohio. 

8th.  The  State  of  Tennessee  to  the  end  of  the  last  century. 


. i 

\ 


ANNALS  OF  TENNESSEE. 


CHAPTER  I 

DISCOVERY  OF  TENNESSEE. 

As  has  been  already  remarked,  Tennessee  is,  in  popula- 
tion, the  fifth  state  in  the  Union.  Her  geographical  position 
is  peculiar,  and  before  the  annexation  of  Texas,  and  the 
acquisition  of  New  Mexico  and  California,  entitled  her  to 
the  name  of  the  Central  State.  She  is  one  of  the  rapidly 
increasing  family  of  daughters  which  have  sprung  from  the 
good  old  thirteen ; and  though  not  a separate  and  distinct 
political  organization  at  the  eventful  period  of  separation 
from  the  crown  of  Great  Britain,  it  is  a proud  reflection 
that  Tennessee  is  closely  connected  and  directly  identified 
with  the  cause  of  freedom  and  independence,  and  with  the 
American  Revolution,  by  a mournful  but  glorious  consan- 
guinity. 

The  adventures  and  perils  of  Tennessee  pioneers,  their 
hearty  sacrifices  for  the.  general  good,  their  character  for 
conduct  and  courage  in  war,  their  uniform  devotion  to  the 
honour  and  greatness  of  the  country,  their  rapid  advance- 
ments in  the  arts  of  peace,  in  population  and  political  influ- 
ence, and  the  impress  of  their  wisdom,  valour  and  patriot- 
ism which  they  have  stamped  upon  their  descendants,  invite 
to  the  early  history  of  their  state  the  attention  of  every 
American,  and  secures  the  deepest  regard  of  every  Tennes- 
sean. 

To  examine  these  various  topics  satisfactorily,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  look  a little  into  the  original  condition  of  tha 
country,  its  first  discovery  and  exploration,  its  aboriginal 
inhabitants,  and  the  approaches  of  civilized  man  to  it ; since, 


14 


CABOT  SEES  THE  COAST  OP  NORTH-CAROLINA. 


without  this  examination,  feeble  and  inadequate  indeed  will 
be  our  conceptions  of  the  adventure  displayed,  the  hardships 
suffered,  the  dangers  encountered,  the  services  rendered,  the 
conquests  achieved,  the  glory  won,  by  those  who  have  effected 
the  transmutation  from  rudeness  to  refinement,  from  barbar- 
ism to  civilization,  and  from  heathenism  to  Christianity. 

Postponing  to  another  place  any  remarks  upon  the  bounda- 
ries, the  physical  history,  and  the  aboriginal  population  of 
Tenuessee,  it  is  proposed  here  to  trace  the  approaches  of 
civilization  to  its  several  boundaries  in  the  exact  order  of 
their  occurrence ; in  doing  which,  its  first  discovery,  explo- 
ration and  settlement,  will  be  the  more  clearly  delineated 
and  the  more  easily  understood. 

Of  the  country  included  within  the  limits  of  the  present 
State  of  Tennessee,  little  was  known  for  more  than  two 
hundred  and  thirty  years  after  the  discovery  of  America. 
Until  that  time,  with  perhaps  a single  exception,  the  foot  of 
no  European  adventurer  had  touched  her  soil.  The  vast 
interior  of  North  America  was  a terra  incognita,  till  long 
after  the  skill,  and  science,  and  cupidity,  and  arms  of  Spain, 
had  crossed  the  continent  further  south,  and  reached  the 
shores  of  the  Pacific  ocean. 

After  the  conquest  of  Mexico,  achieved  by  Cortes  with  a 
handful  of  soldiers,  vastly  disproportioned  to  the  population 
and  resources  of  that  immense  empire,  and  after  the  capture 
and  execution  of  the  Inca  and  the  subjugation  of  Peru  by 
Pizarro,  with  a force  still  smaller,,  the  fame  of  their  victo- 
ries, the  rapidity  and  ease  with  which  they  had  been  ob- 
tained, their  sudden  acquirement  of  incalculable  treasure, 
and  the  imperishable  renown  of  these  skilful  and  indomita- 
ble leaders,  excited  afresh  the  spirit  of  exploration,  adventure 
and  acquisition. 

While  Spanish  discoveries  and  Spanish  conquests  had 
reached  across  the  American  continent,  and  extended  along 
the  Pacific  coast  from  Chili  to  California,  little  was  known 
of  that  immense  country  north  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  As 
early  as  1497,  the  coast  of  our  parent  state,  North-Carolina, 
had  been  seen  by  Gaboto,*  a Venetian  adventurer,  who. 

* Anglice — Cabot. 


Narvaez’s  invasion. 


15 


under  the  auspices  of  Henry  VII.  of  England,  and  the  pa- 
tronage of  Bristol  merchants,  undertook  to  prosecute  further 
discoveries  in  the  New  World.  He  returned,  however,  with- 
out attempting  the  conquest  of  the  natives  or  the  formation 
of  a settlement.  In  1512,  Juan  Ponce  De  Leon  visited  the 
continent,  in  north  latitude  30®,  81,  and  discovered  a country 
of  vast  and  unknown  extent,  to  which,  from  the  abundance 
of  flowers,  and  from  its  being  first  seen  on  Palm  Sunday, 
(Pascha  Florida,)  he  gave  the  name  of  Florida.*  Being 
afterwards  invested  by  the  King  of  Spain  with  the  govern- 
ment of  the  country  he  had  discovered,  he  attempted  the 
erection  of  a town  and  fortress,  but  was  assailed  with  such 
vigour  by  the  natives,  as  to  compel  him  to  abandon  the 
country.  The  Indians  used  poisoned  arrows.  De  Leon  died 
from  the  wounds  received  in  the  encounter,  and  lost  most  of 
his  men.  Similar  disasters  seem  to  have  overtaken  the  ad- 
venturous leaders  who,  after  De  Leon,  attempted  the  subju- 
gation of  Florida. f 

In  1524,  Lucas  Vasquez  de  Ayllon  effected  a landing  fur- 
ther east,  upon  the  coast  of  what  is  now  Georgia  or  South- 
Carolina.  Two  hundred  of  his  soldiers  penetrated  a few 
leagues  in  the  interior,  while  he  remained  with  the  rest  of 
his  force  to  guard  his  ships.  The  Indians  attacked  unexpect- 
edly the  detachment  he  had  sent  out,  and  massacred  the 
whole  ; then  falling  suddenly  upon  the  guard  near  the  ships, 
succeeded  in  driving  them  from  the  coast.  The  few  survi- 
vors returned  to  San  Domingo. 

In  1528,  Pamphilo  de  Narvaez  sailed  from  Cuba,  having 
on  board  four  hundred  foot  and  twenty  horse,  for  the  con- 
quest “ of  all  the  lands  lying  from  the  River  of  Palms  to  the 
Cape  of  Florida,”  for  which  he  had  obtained  a grant  from 
Charles  V.  He  anchored  on  the  eastern  coast,  landed  his 
troops,  and  took  possession  of  the  country  without  opposi- 
tion. But,.  marching  into  the  interior,  he  at  length  reached 
Apalachee,  where  he  encamped  several  days.  The  village 
had  offered  no  resistance  to  the  Spaniards,  but  this  inoffen- 

* From  this  discovery  by  De  Leon,  Spain  claimed  Florida,  as  England  did  from 
that  made,  in  1497,  by  Cabot. 

\ For  a long  time,  all  the  country  south  of  Newfoundland  was  called  Florida. 


16 


NARVAEZ  SHIPWRECKED. 


sive  spirit  did  not  continue  long.  The  natives  were  warlike 
and  intrepid,  harassed  the  camp  of  Narvaez  by  day  and 
night,  and  compelled  him  to  leave  it.  His  march  was  beset 
by  hordes  of  savages  “of  gigantic  height ; they  had  bows  of 
enormous  size,  from  which  they  discharged  arrows  with  such 
force  as  to  penetrate  armour  at  the  distance  of  two  hundred 
yards.”*  After  the  loss  of  many  of  his  soldiers  and  horses, 
and  the  endurance  of  incredible  hardships,  “ the  hopes  of 
wealth  and  conquest  were  at  an  end,”  and,  coming  to  an  arm 
of  the  sea,  Narvaez,  despairing  of  reaching  his  ships  by  land, 
determined  to  construct  small  barques,  and  save  the  remnant 
of  his  little  army  from  the  ruin  that  menaced  it.  His  frail 
barques  were  shipwrecked,  and  nearly  all  of  his  followers, 
with  himself,  found  a watery  grave.  Five  only  survived  the 
disasters  by  land  and  sea. 

We  have  thus  seen  the  unfortunate  termination  of  several 
well  arranged  enterprises,  undertaken  by  able  and  experi- 
enced leaders,  and  promising,  under  Castilian  courage  and 
discipline,  a certain,  if  not  an  easy  conquest,  of  the  original 
inhabitants  of  the  country.  The  spirit  of  the  native  Ameri- 
can population  seems  no  where  to  have  been  so  energetically 
and  so  successfully  exerted  against  the  invaders  of  their  coun- 
try. A very  different  result  had  followed  the  standard  of 
the  conqueror  of  Mexico.  He,  under  circumstances  scarcely 
more  favourable,  had  met  and  discomfited  numerous  armies 
of  native  warriors,  fighting  for  their  homes,  their  monarch 
and  their  religion,  at  Tobasco  and  Tlascala,  and,  with  a 
courage  bordering  upon  temerity,  had  pushed  his  conquest 
to  the  palace  of  Montezuma.  Had  the  countries  south  of 
Tennessee  been  inhabited  by  the  spiritless  and  imbecile 
natives  of  Mexico,  which  it  was  the  good  fortune  of  Cortes 
to  meet  and  conquer,  it  is  not  difficult  to  conceive  that  some 
intrepid  Castilian  would  have  anticipated  the  laurels  won  by 
Anglo-American  prowess  on  the  hardly  contested  battle- 
grounds of  Tamotlee,  Etowah,  Nickajack,  Emuckfaw  and 
Tohopeka,  and  erected  the  standard  of  the  Cross  upon  the 
demolished  council  houses  and  ruined  temples  of  the  ances- 
tors of  Oceola,  To-mo-chi-chi  and  Oconostota.  Different, 

* Irving. 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


17 


indeed,  was  the  character  of  the  aborigines  north  of  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  at  the  period  of  which  we  are  treating.  A 
manly  firmness  of  purpose,  a wise  union  in  counsel,  and  a 
determined  bravery  in  action,  enabled  them  to  repel  every 
hostile  invasion  of  their  country,  and  to  maintain  nearly  un- 
disturbed possession  of  it  for  two  centuries  after  the  dismem- 
berment of  the  Mexican  confederacy,  and  after  the  Children 
of  the  Sun  had  been  driven  into  exile  or  reduced  to  an  igno- 
ble vassalage.  The  latter  are  humbled  and  nearly  extinct, 
while  the  former  retain  even  yet  something  of  their  original 
character ; though  restrained,  they  are  not  subjugated — 
though  curbed,  their  spirit  is  yet  independent  and  free. 

Baffled  and  defeated  as  were  the  Spaniards,  in  the  several 
attempts  of  invasion  and  conquest  which  have  been  thus 
slightly  sketched,  they  projected  further  enterprises,  upon  a 
still  larger  theatre,  under  more  imposing  and  magnificent 
appointments,  and,  if  possible,  under  more  distinguished  and 
chivalrous  leaders.  The  passion  of  the  age  was  war  and 
conquest ; the  vice  of  the  times  was  wealth  and  the  pre- 
cious metals.  In  all  these  lay  the  path  to  preferment  and 
distinction,  and  the  cavaliers  of  Spain  thrust  themselves  once 
more  into  it.  Allured  by  the  hope  of  finding  gold  and  silver 
in  the  interior  country,  or  incited  by  the  thirst  for  glory, 
which  had  crowned  their  successes  elsewhere — perhaps  cha* 
grined  at  the  failure  which  had  marked  all  previous  efforts 
to  achieve  the  conquest  of  Florida — they  determined  to  in- 
vade the  continent  with  such  a force  as  would  ensure  its 
accomplishment.  Ferdinand  De  Soto  projected  the  expedi- 
tion, and  received  from  the  Emperor  Charles  V.  permis- 
sion to  undertake  the  conquest.  He  was  invested 
with  ample  power,  civil  and  military  ; and  from  the 
official  relation  he  bore  to  the  Island  of  Cuba,  was  enabled 
to  command  all  the  means  necessary  for  the  meditated  inva- 
sion. A companion  in  arms  of  Pizarro,  he  had  assisted  that 
renowned  leader  in  the  conquest  of  Peru,  and  commanded  in 
person  the  squadron  of  horse  that  captured  the  unfortunate 
Inca,  Atahualpa,  and  put  his  army  to  flight.  Having  thus 
added  to  his  fame  for  courage  and  adroitness  as  a soldier,  the 
weight  of  experience  and  success  as  a commander  ; having 
2 


J8  FERDINAND  DE  SOTO HIS  ARMY. 

received  the  most  signal  marks  of  his  monarch’s  confidence 
and  favour  ; and  having,  in  addition  to  the  control  of  the 
resources  of  Cuba,  the  avails  of  his  Peruvian  conquests, 
Ferdinand  De  Soto,  in  less  than  a year  from  the  date  of  his 
first  proclamation,  found  himself  at  the  head  of  nine  hun- 
dred and  fifty  Spaniards,  anxious  to  serve  under  him  in  his 
adventurous  expedition.  The  chivalry,  rank  and  wealth  of 
Spain  entered  into  his  army.  “Never  had  a more  gallant 
and  brilliant  body  of  men  offered  themselves  for  the  New 
World.”* 

In  addition  to  the  forces  brought  from  Spain,  the  arma- 
ment of  De  Soto,  by  recruits  and  volunteers  in  Cuba,  was 
increased  to  a thousand  men,  besides  the  marines.  There 
were  also  three  hundred  and  fifty  horses. 

The  account  here  given  of  the  outfit  and  composition  of 
the  army  of  De  Soto,  and  the  details  which  follow  of  his 
marches,  his  disasters,  and  the  melancholy  fate  of  himself 
and  his  men,  will  not  be  considered  foreign  to  the  purpose  of 
these  annals,  when  it  is  remembered  that  the  country  they 
invaded,  and  through  which  they  marched,  has  since  been 
invaded  successfully  by  Tennessee  enterprise,  and  won  by 
Tennessee  valour,  and  hallowed  by  Tennessee  blood  ; and 
that  the  Indian  tribes,  who  attacked  them  soon  after  they 
landed  at  Tampa  Bay,  who  harassed  them  on  their  march, 
obstructed  their  passage,  broke  in  upon  their  bivouac,  an- 
noyed their  camp,  resisted  them  in  battle,  and  finally  forced 
them  to  leave  their  country  uncolonized  and  unsubdued,  have 
long  since  yielded  to  the  prowess  and  arms  of  American 
pioneers.  The  minutiae  of  the  track  pursued  by  the  invaders 
will  be  excused  for  the  further  reason,  that  it  has  been  con- 
jectured, with  much  plausibility,  that  De  Soto  was  the  first 
European  or  civilized  adventurer  whose  foot  touched  the 
soil,  whose  eye  surveyed  the  vast  wilderness,  whose  heart 
expanded  with  the  contemplation  of  the  magnificent  scenery, 
and  whose  senses  were  regaled  by  the  influences  of  the 
delightful  climate  of  Tennessee.  It  may  be  added,  in  sorrow, 
that  though  not  the  first  to  see  and  cross  her  great  mediter- 


Irving. 


DE  SOTO  AT  TAMPA  BAY. 


19 


ranean  boundary — the  Mississippi — he  was  the  first  to  find 
an  inhospitable  grave  beneath  its  turbid  waters. 

Sailing  from  Havana  on  the  12th  of  May,  1539,  the 
c squadron,  containing  the  army  of  De  Soto,  arrived  in 
l fifteen  days  at  Espiritu  Santo  Bay,  about  half  way 
down  the  western  side  of  the  peninsula  of  Florida.  A de- 
tachment of  three  hundred  men  were  landed,  and,  finding  no 
Indians,  they  remained  on  shore  all  night  in  a state  of  care- 
less security.  Towards  morning  they  were  vigorously  at- 
tacked by  a great  number  of  savages,  and  forced  to  retreat 
to  the  edge  of  the  sea  in  confusion.  A reinforcement  was 
soon  landed,  and  put  the  natives  to  flight  after  a slight 
resistance. 

From  his  encampment  near  Espiritu  Santo  Bay,  De  Soto 
marched  two  leagues  to  a village,  which  was  found  deserted 
by  the  inhabitants.  By  the  aid  of  some  straggling  Indians 
whom  he  had  captured,  he  endeavoured  to  appease  the  ca- 
cique of  the  village,  Hirrihigua,  and  invited  him  from  his  re- 
treat to  a friendly  interview.  To  this  message,  brought  by 
his  subjects,  he  replied,  “ I want  none  of  their  speeches  nor 
promises  ; bring  me  their  heads,  and  I will  receive  them  joy- 
fully. ”* 

A neighbouring  cacique,  Mucozo,  was  more  placable.  At 
the  invitation  of  the  envoys  sent  to  him  by  De  Soto,  he  visit- 
ed his  camp,  accompanied  by  his  warriors.  “ He  kissed  the 
hands  of  the  governor  with  great  veneration,  saluted  each 
one  of  his  officers,  and  made  a slight  obeisance  to  the  pri- 
vates. ”f 

As  far  as  Mucozo,  their  march  had  been  impeded  by  mo- 
rasses, which  disappeared,  however,  as  they  advanced  into 
the  interior.  It  occupied  them  four  days  to  go  from  Mucozo 
to  Urribarracaxi  (seventeen  leagues).  Here  they  were  in- 
formed, in  answer  to  inquiries  about  gold  and  silver,  that 
there  was  a country  to  the  westward,  called  Ocali,  where 
the  spring  was  perpetual  and  gold  abundant. 

De  Soto  had  received  intelligence,  that  at  the  village  of 
Urribarracaxi,  a cacique  of  great  influence,  to  whom  Hirri- 

jldem. 


* Irving. 


20 


ACUERA  DEFIES  DE  SOTO. 


higua  and  Mucozo  paid  tribute,  be  would  find  provisions  for 
his  army.  He  took  up  the  line  of  march  always  to  the  north- 
east, and  on  the  morning  of  the  third  day  came  to  the  villa  ge  of 
Mucozo  (thirteen  leagues).  After  marching  seventeen  leagues 
further  to  Urribarracaxi,  and  passing  beyond  it,  they  encoun- 
tered, at  three  leagues  distance  from  the  village,  “ a great  mo- 
rass, a league  in  width,  two-thirds  mire  and  one-third  water, 
and  very  deep  at  the  borders.  ”*  After  several  days’  search, 
a pass  was  found,  by  which  the  army  crossed  it  with  ease. 

Their  route  soon  became  obstructed  with  impassable 
swamps  and  bogs,  made  by  the  streams  of  the  morass  they 
had  just  passed.  It  was,  therefore,  recrossed  by  De  Soto  and 
hisAarmy.  In  their  march  from  this  place  they  encountered, 
again,  the  greatest  difficulties  from  deep  swamps  and  nu- 
merous bogs  that  everywhere  intersected  the  country.  In 
addition  to  these,  they  were  often  annoyed  by  the  Indians, 
who  hung  upon  their  rear  and  shouted,  in  words  of  threat  and 
defiance : “ Keep  on,  robbers  and  traitors ; in  Acuera  and 
Apalachee,  we  will  treat  you  as  you  deserve.  Every  cap- 
tive will  we  quarter  and  hang  upon  the  highest  trees  along 
the  road  !”f 

At  the  end  of  sixty  miles  from  Urribarracaxi,  they  encamp- 
ed in  “ a beautiful  valley,  where  were  large  fields  of  Indian 
corn,  of  such  luxuriant  growth  as  to  bear  three  and  four  ears 
upon  a stalk.  ” This  fertile  province  was  ruled  by  a ca- 
cique named  Acuera.  De  Soto  invited  him  to  a friendly 
conference.  The  haughty  chief  replied  : “ others  of  your  ac- 
cursed race  have  in  years  past  poisoned  our  peaceful  shores. 
They  have  taught  me  what  you  are.  What  is  your  employ- 
ment ? To  wander  about  like  vagabonds  from  land  to  land  ; 
to  rob  the  poor — to  betray  the  confiding — to  murder  in  cold 
blood  the  defenceless.  No  ! with  such  a people  I want  no 
peace,  no  friendship.  War — never-ending,  exterminating 

war — is  all  the  boon  I ask.  You  boast  yourselves  valiant, 
and  so  you  may  be,  but  my  faithful  warriors  are  not 
less  brave  ; and  this,  too,  you  shall  one  day  prove,  for  I have 
sworn  to  maintain  an  unsparing  conflict  while  one  white 

* Irving.  t Idem,  pp.  104  and  105. 


DE  SOTO  ARRIVES  AT  OCALI. 


21 


man  remains  in  my  borders.  Not  openly  in  the  battle  field, 
though  even  thus  we  fear  not  to  meet  you;  but  by  strata- 
gem, and  ambush,  and  midnight  surprisal.  ” * 

In  reply  to  the  demand  that  he  should  yield  obedience  to 
the  emperor,  he  said  : “ I am  king  in  my  own  land,  and  will 
never  become  the  vassal  of  a mortal  like  myself.  Vile  and 
pusillanimous  is  he  who  will  submit  to  the  yoke  of  another, 
when  he  may  be  free  ! As  for  me  and  my  people,  we  choose 
death,  yes,  a hundred  deaths,  before  the  loss  of  our  liberty 
and  the  subjugation  of  our  country  !” 

As  the  event  proved,  these  were  no  idle  threats  or  un- 
meaning bravadoes  of  Acuera  and  his  warriors.  Stratagem, 
and  ambush,  and  midnight  surprisal,  cut  off  many  a brave 
Spaniard ; and  while  a white  man  remained  in  this  province, 
the  natives,  with  most  unyielding  spirit,  continued  to  oppose 
and  annoy  the  invaders. 

Unable  to  appease  Acuera  by  pacific  overtures  or  gentle 
treatment,  De  Soto  broke  up  his  encampment  after  a few  days’ 
rest,  and  passed  over  a desert  tract  twelve  leagues  broad,  in 
a north-eastern  direction,  and  then  traversing  an  inhabited 
country,  seven  leagues  more,  arrived  at  the  principal  village 
of  the  province,  called  Ocali.  It  contained  six  hundred 
houses  and  vast  quantities  of  provisions.  “ Hard  by  the  vil- 
lage ran  a wide  and  deep  river,  with  most  precipitous 
banks.  ”f  Crossing  this  stream  by  a temporary  bridge,  the 
army  of  De  Soto  continued  its  march  three  days  to  the  fron- 
tiers of  Vitachuco — “a  province  of  great  extent,  being  fifty 
leagues  across.  ” It  was  governed  by  three  brothers.  Two 
of  these,  after  a protracted  negotiation,  entered  into  terms 
of  peace  with  De  Soto,  and  agreed  to  use  their  influence 
with  Vitachuco,  the  other  cacique,  to  accept  the  offers  of 
peace  from  the  Spaniards.  This  chieftain  was  the  most  pow- 
erful of  the  three,  and  disapproved  the  terms  made  by  the 
others  with  De  Soto.  He  detained  the  envoys  charged  with 
the  embassy  ; imputed  the  pacific  conduct  of  his  brothers  to 
cowardice,  or  to  a spirit  of  inglorious  submission  ; and  rep- 
resented the  Spaniards  as  vagabonds  and  robbers,  and  warn- 
ed them  not  to  enter  into  his  dominions,  vowing  that  “ va- 
*Irving.  fldem. 


22 


VITACHUCO’S  VILLAGE  DESCRIBED. 


liant  as  they  may  be,  if  they  dare  to  put  foot  upon  my  soil, 
they  shall  never  go  out  of  my  land  alive — the  whole  race 
will  I exterminate  !”  With  similar  messages  he  continued 
to  threaten  De  Soto.  At  length,  however,  his  two  brothers 
visited  Vitachuco,  and  he  affected  to  be  “ won  by  their  per- 
suasions, and  agreed  to  enter  into  a friendly  intercourse  with 
the  strangers.”  * 

After  this  deceitful  alliance,  the  Spaniards  marched  to  the 
village  of  Yitachuco,  and  were  received  with  great  kindness 
and  hospitality.  The  Indian  interpreters,  however,  in  a few 
days,  disclosed  to  De  Soto  that  a perfidious  plot  was  devised 
to  destroy  him  and  his  army.  Apprised  by  this  disclosure  of 
the  details  of  the  plot,  De  Soto,  at  a preconcerted  signal,  fell 
unexpectedly  upon  the  cacique  and  his  warriors,  made  Yita- 
chuco a prisoner,  killed  several  hundred  of  his  followers,  and 
nine  hundred  more  whom  he  had  captured,  he  distributed  as 
menials  to  his  soldiers.  But  the  fierce  spirit  of  the  cacique 
was  yet  unsubdued.  Though  a prisoner,  and  in  the  power  of 
his  conqueror,  he  laid  another  plot  to  put  into  effect  the  me- 
naces he  had  made  against  the  invaders  of  his  country.  In 
this,  too,  he  was  unsuccessful.  He  fell,  thrust  through  with 
a dozen  swords  and  lances,  and  lost  in  these  two  engage- 
ments and  “ the  subsequent  massacres;  thirteen  hundred  of 
his  warriors,  the  flower  of  his  nation. ”f 

The  village  of  Vitachuco,  where  these  battles  were  fought, 
is  thus  described,  and  may  possibly  yet  be  identified  by  the 
physical  features  of  the  country  abound  it.  “ Near  the  village 
was  a large  plain.  It  had  on  one  side  a lofty  and  dense  for- 
est, on  the  other,  two  lakes  ; the  one  about  a league  in  cir- 
cumference, clear  of  trees,  but  so  deep  that  three  or  four  feet 
from  the  bank  no  footing  could  be  found.  The  second,  which 
was  at  greater  distance  from  the  village,  was  more  than  half 
a league  in  width,  and  appeared  like  a vast  river,  extending 
as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.”  J The  village  is  called  by  the 
Portuguese  narrator,  Napatuca.  The  province  was  likely 
very  fertile,  certainly  very  populous,  as  the  chosen  warriors 
in  the  first  battle  amounted  to  ten  thousand. 

De  Soto,  resuming  his  march,  went  four  leagues  the  first 


* Irving. 


t Idem. 


t Idem. 


DE  SOTO  REACHES  OSACHILI  AND  APALACHEE. 


23 


day,  and  “ encamped  on  the  bank  of  a large  and  deep  river,” 
a boundary  of  the  province.  Crossing  the  river  on  a bridge 
constructed  by  his  army,  the  march  was  continued  two 
leagues  through  a country  free  from  woods  ; here  were  found 
“ large  fields  of  maize,  beans  and  pumpkins,  with  scattered 
habitations.”  * At  the  distance  of  four  leagues  further,  the 
Spaniards  arrived  at  Osachili,  a village  of  two  hundred 
houses.  Hearing  at  this  place  of  the  fertility  and  extent  of 
the  province  of  Apalachee,  they  continued  their  march,  and 
“ were  three  days  traversing  an  uninhabited  desert,  twelve 
leagues  in  extent,  which  lay  between  the  two  provinces,  and 
about  noon  of  the  fourth  day  arrived  at  a great  morass.  It 
was  bordered  by  forests  of  huge  and  lofty  trees,  with  a dense 
underwood  of  thorns  and  brambles.  In  the  centre  of  the  mo- 
rass was  a sheet  of  water  half  a league  in  width,  and  as  far 
as  the  eye  could  reach  in  extent.  “ The  opposite  side  of  the 
morass  was  bordered  by  the  same  kind  of  impervious  forest 
as  the  other;  the  distance  across  it  was  about  a league  and 
a half.”  f Near  this  place,  ten  or  eleven  years  before,  the  un- 
fortunate Pamphilo  de  Narvaez  had  met  with  his  signal  de- 
feat ; and  the  Indians,  encouraged  by  their  successes  over  him, 
made  a desperate  effort  to  gain  a similar  victory  over  the 
present  invaders  ; and  the  result  seemed  doubtful  while  the 
conflict  was  carried  on  in  the  morass.  So  soon,  however,  as 
the  horsemen  of  De  Soto  gained  the  open  woods,  the  contest 
was  decided,  and  the  natives  were  forced  to  fly.  Apalachee, 
the  province  to  which  De  Soto  had  been  directing  his  course, 
was  found  to  be  not  only  fertile  and  well  supplied  with  pro- 
visions, but,  as  he  had  been  frequently  forewarned,  was  in- 
habited by  a brave  and  ferocious  population,  who,  by  strata- 
gem and  cunning,  not  less  than  by  open  assaults,  attempted 
to  repel  the  invading  Spaniards. 

The  first  night  after  they  had  crossed  the  morass,  they  en- 
camped near  a small  village  in  an  open  plain.  The  march 
was  resumed  next  day,  and  they  passed  two  leagues  through 
fields  of  corn,  and  “ came  to  a deep  stream  bordered  by  deep 
forests.”  Here  the  Indians  had  made  palisades  and  bar- 
riers, determining  that  at  this  place  their  utmost  opposition 
* Irving.  t Idem. 


24 


DE  SOTO  RESUMES  HIS  MARCH. 


should  be  made.  But  these  efforts  were  insufficient.  Seve- 
ral Spaniards  were  killed,  others  were  wounded,  yet  they 
passed  the  stream  with  ease,  and  continued  the  march  two 
leagues  further,  without  opposition,  and  encamped.  The  next 
day  they  reached  Anchayea,  a village  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  large  and  commodious  houses.  Capafi  was  the  name  of 
the  cacique  of  Apalachee. 

The  winter  was  now  approaching,  and  De  Soto  determin- 
ed to  remain  at  Anchayea  till  the  next  spring.  Fortifying 
the  village,  and  building  additional  houses  for  barracks,  and 
collecting  from  the  adjoining  neighbourhoods  a supply  of  pro- 
visions, he  went  into  winter  quarters.  Here  he  remained  five 
months,  during  which  time  he  had  received  such  information 
of  the  countries  in  the  interior,  as  to  point  out  his  future 
course  in  quest  of  gold  and  silver,  which  seems  to  have  been 
the  primary  object  of  himself  and  his  followers. 

The  march  was  resumed  in  the  spring  of  1540,  in  a north- 
east direction.  On  the  third  day  the  army  reached  Capa- 
chique,  a village  “situated  on  high  ground,  on  a kind  of 
peninsula,  being  nearly  surrounded  by  a miry  marsh,  more 
than  a hundred  paces  broad.”*  Two  days  further  march 
brought  them  to  the  boundary  between  Apalachee  and  Ata- 
paha,  into  which  latter  province  they  now  entered.  On  the 
third  day,  De  Soto  reached  the  village  of  Achese,  and  meet- 
ing with  no  hostile  feelings  from  the  natives,  rested  there 
several  days.  “ He  then  resumed  his  march  northeast, 
ascending  for  ten  days  along  the  banks  of  a river,  skirted  by 
groves  of  mulberry  trees,  and  winding  through  luxuriantly 
fertile  valleys.”  On  the  eleventh  day  he  entered  the  province 
of  Cofa,  (alias  Ocute,)  which  was  fertile  and  plentiful,  and 
inhabited  by  a kind  and  hospitable  people,  who  entertained 
De  Soto  and  his  army  five  days.  The  march  was  continued 
“through  a pleasant  and  luxuriant  country,  fertilized  by 
many  rivers,”  to  the  confines  of  Cofaqui.  The  cacique  re- 
ceived the  Spaniards  with  great  pomp  and  kindness,  and 
“ imparted  to  De  Soto  every  information  about  his  own  terri- 
tory, and  spoke  of  a plentiful  and  populous  province  to  the 
northwest,  called  Cosa.”  f De  Soto,  however,  determined 
• Irving.  t Idem. 


PASSES  THE  MOUNTAINS  NEAR  CIIOUALLA. 


25 


first  to  visit  Cofachiqui,  a province  separated  from  Cofaqui 
by  an  uninhabited  tract  of  great  extent.  In  passing  through 
this,  the  army  crossed  two  rivers,  “a  cross-bow  shot  broad,” 
which  were  with  difficulty  forded.  On  the  seventh  day  their 
march  was  suddenly  arrested  by  “ a wide,  deep  and  unford- 
able  river.”  At  length,  after  travelling  along  its  banks 
several  days,  they  reached  a small  village  called  Aymay,  well 
furnished  with  provisions  and  surrounded  with  corn-fields. 
H ere  they  rested  seven  days,  and  then  continued  their  march 
along  the  bank  of  the  river,  till  the  third  day  they  halted  “in 
a verdant  region,  covered  with  mulberry  and  other  fruit 
trees.”  Two  leagues  further  they  reached  the  village  of  the 
princess  of  Cofachiqui,  situated  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the 
river,  and  were  hospitably  received. 

From  Cofachiqui  De  Soto  started,  May  3,  1540,  towards 
the  north  or  northwest,  in  the  direction  of  Cosa,  which  was 
represented  to  him  to  be  distant  twelve  days  journey.  “ He 
passed  through  the  province  of  Achalaque — the  most  wretch- 
ed country,  says  the  Portuguese  narrator,  in  all  Florida.”* 
Progressing  forward,  he  reached  the  province  of  Choualla,  or 
Xualla,  and  encamped  in  its  principal  village  of  the  same 
name,  where  he  remained  several  days.  “This  village  was 
situated  on  the  skirts  of  a mountain,  with  a small  but  rapid 
river  flowing  by  it.”  Unlike  Chelaque,  this  province  abound- 
ed with  maize  and  other  provisions. 

At  this  place  De  Soto  changed  his  route  westward,  aiming 
for  the  province  of  Quaxale.  “ The  first  day’s  march  was 
through  a country  covered  with  fields  of  maize  of  luxuriant 
growth.”  f “During  the  next  five  days  they  traversed  a 
chain  of  easy  mountains,  covered  with  oak  and  mulberry 
trees,  with  intervening  valleys,  rich  in  pasturage  and  irri- 
gated by  clear  and  rapid  streams.  These  mountains  were 
twenty  leagues  across,  and  quite  uninhabited.”  These  waste 
mountains  being  passed,  the  Spaniards  entered  the  province 
of  Guaxule.  The  cacique  received  them  with  great  parade 
and  courtesy,  and  conducted  them  to  his  village,  which  con- 
sisted of  three  hundred  houses.  “It  stood  in  a pleasant  spot, 
bordered  by  small  streams,  that  took  their  rise  in  the  adjacent 

* Irving.  t Idem. 

« 


26 


PASSES  THE  MOUNTAINS  NEAR  CHOUALLA. 


mountains.”  * “ The  several  streams  that  traversed  this  pro- 

vince, soon  mingled  their  waters  and  formed  a grand  and 
powerful  river,  along  which  the  army  resumed  their  journey.” 
“ On  the  second  day  of  their  march,  they  entered  the  small 
town  of  Canasauga.  Continuing  forward  for  five  days  through 
a desert  country,  on  the  25th  of  June  they  came  in  sight  of 
Ichiaha,  thirty  leagues  from  Guaxule.  This  village  stood 
on  one  end  of  an  island,  more  than  five  leagues  in  length.”f 
They  crossed  the  river  in  many  canoes,  and  on  rafts  prepared 
for  the  purpose,  and  were  quartered  in  and  around  the  vil- 
lage, and  “ their  worn-out  horses  enjoyed  rich  and  abundant 
pasturage  in  the  neighbouring  meadows.”  (Query.  What 
island  did  Ichiaha  stand  upon  ?)  While  at  this  village  the 
Indians  showed  the  Spaniards  how  they  obtained  pearls  from 
the  oysters  taken  in  the  river.J 

* Irving.  j-  Idem. 

% The  width  of  some  of  the  streams,  the  number  and  extent  of  their  islands, 
and  the  names  of  some  of  the  villages  and  other  localities  mentioned  in  the  ac- 
counts given  of  De  Soto’s  marches,  have  led  to  the  belief  that  he  may  have  visited 
the  southern  part  of  what  is  now  East  Tennessee,  and  that  then  turning  west  he 
crossed  and  recrossed  the  Tennessee  river.  McCullough,  in  the  map  accompany- 
ing his  learned  work,(*)  lays  down  the  route  of  De  Soto’s  army  as  penetrating  at 
its  extreme  northern  point  to  Choualla,  near  to  the  thirty-fifth  degree  of  north  lati- 
tude, and  amongst  the  sources  of  the  Coosa  river.  Choualla  was  situated  on  the 
skirts  of  a mountain,  with  a small  but  rapid  river  flowing  by  it.  Could  that  have 
been  the  modern  Cherokee  Chilhowee  2 The  route  had  previously  led  the  inva- 
ders to  and  through  the  province  of  Achalaque.  It  is  known  that  the  Cherokees 
do  not  pronounce  the  letter  r,  and  that  they  call  themselves  Chelakees.  The  nar- 
rator also  describes  the  country  as  mountainous,  and  as  answering  well  to  the  fea- 
tures of  the  country  near  Chilhowee.  The  Portuguese  Gentleman  says  the  moun- 
tains were  very  bad.  Herrera  says  that  though  they  were  not  disagreeable,  the 
mountains  were  twenty  leagues  across,  and  the  army  was  five  days  in  passing 
over  them.  After  leaving  Choualla,  the  route  lay  westward.  Mention  is  made  of 
Canasaqua.  May  this  have  been  the  present  Canasauga  2 Talisse  and  Sequa- 
chee — ’names  familiar  to  Tennessee  readers — are  also  mentioned,  and  suggest  the 
theory  of  Martinet)  that  De  Soto  may  have  passed  through  Tennessee  and  into 
Kentucky. 

Col.  Pettival,  who  had  been  in  the  service  of  Napoleon  during  the  peninsular 
war,  and  was,  therefore,  familiar  with  Spanish  fortifications,  visited,  in  1834,  “ two 
forts  or  camps  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Tennessee  river,  one  mile  above  Brown’s 

(*)  Researches,  Philosophical  and  Antiquarian,  concerning  the  aboriginal  his- 
tory of  America. 

(t)  Martin’s  Louisiana. 


REACHES  TALISSE  AND  MAUVILA. 


27 


On  the  2d  day  of  July,  DeSoto  left  Ichiaha,  and  travelled 
the  length  of  the  island  to  Acoste,  a village  on  its  extreme 
point,  where  they  encamped.  Next  day  they  crossed  the 
river  in  rafts  and  canoes,  and  afterwards  continued  their 
march  through  a fertile  and  populous  province  called  Cosa. 
It  was  more  than  one  hundred  leagues  in  extent.  The  vil- 
lage of  the  same  name  “ was  situated  on  the  banks  of  a river, 
amidst  green  and  beautiful  meadows,  irrigated  by  numerous 
small  streams.”  * 

On  the  20th  of  August,  De  Soto  left  Cosa,  and  passing 
Ullabali,  continued  the  march  to  Talise.  It  was  a well  for- 
tified post,  “and  situated  on  the  bank  of  a very  rapid  river, 
which  nearly  surrounded  it.”  During  his  stay  at  Talise,  De 
Soto  received  an  embassy  from  Tuscaluza,  the  cacique  of  the 
immense  province  which  the  Spaniards  now  approached, 
inviting  him  to  his  residence,  which  was  about  thirteen 
leagues  distant.  The  army  accordingly  crossing  the  river, 
in  a few  days  reached  Tuscaloqsa  (alias  Piache).  “ It  was 
a strong  place,  situated  like  Talise,  upon  a peninsula  formed 
by  the  windings  of  the  same  river,  which  had  here  grown 
wider  and  more  powerful. ”f  The  next  day  was  spent  in 
making  rafts  and  crossing  the  river ; and  continuing  the 
march  oh  the  third  day,  October  18,  they  arrived  before  the  vil- 
lage of  Mauvila.  “It  was  strongly  fortified,  and  stood  in  a fine 
plain,  and  was  surrounded  by  a high  wall  made  of  logs.”  J 
The  pacific  conduct  of  the  several  tribes  with  which  the 
Spaniards  had  met  during  the  last  few  months,  and  espe- 
cially the  friendly  overtures  of  the  powerful  chieftain  in 
whose  capital  they  now  were,  had  thrown  them  off  their 
guard.  But  while  reposing  in  the  village  and  around  its 

Ferry,  below  the  Muscle  Shoals,  and  opposite  the  mouth  of  Cedar  Creek,  (the  county 
not  mentioned,)  which  certainly  belongs  to  the  expedition  of  Alphonso  De  Soto.” 
He  promises,  in  the  letter  from  which  this  extract  is  made,  a plan  and  description  of 
these  fortifications.  He  died  soon  after,  and  this  writer  is  without  further  infor- 
mation on  the  subject.  It  is  certainly  worthy  of  the  further  attention  of  the  curious. 

The  information  concerning  the  exact  route  pursued  by  De  Soto,  is  so  obscure 
and  scanty,  that  it  is  difficult  to  make  even  an  approximation  to  the  truth.  After 
all  the  speculations  and  conjectures  which  several  authors  have  made  about  it, 
little  progress  has  been  attained  in  the  solution  of  the  enquiry. 

* Irving.  f Idem.  t Idem. 


28 


BATTLE  OF  ALIBAMO. 


walls  in  imagined  security,  they  were  suddenly  assailed  by 
the  natives.  They  had  concentrated  all  their  own  warriors 
at  this  place,  and  many  from  neighbouring  provinces  had 
joined  them.  For  nine  hours  the  battle  raged,  often  with 
doubtful  success  to  the  Spaniards.  At  the  setting  sun,  how- 
ever, victory  was  obained  over  the  Indians.  They  fought 
with  desperation,  as  was  evident  by  the  numbers  slain — 
twenty-five  hundred.  The  loss  of  De  Soto  was  eighty-two. 

After  so  severe  a battle,  the  army  of  De  Soto  needed  repose. 
They  rested,  therefore,  several  days  at  Mauvila,  to  take  care 
of  his  wounded  followers.  On  the  eighteenth  of  November 
he  turned  his  course  northward,  and  after  marching  five  days 
through  an  uninhabited  country,  entered  the  province  of 
Chicaza.  “The  first  village  at  which  they  arrived,  was 
called  Cabusto.  It  was  situated  on  a river,  wide  and  deep, 
with  high  banks.”*'  To  the  proffers  of  peace  made  by  De 
Soto,  the  inhabitants  replied,  “ War  is  what  we  want — a war 
of  fire  and  blood.”  Eight  thousand  warriors  collected  to- 
gether to  oppose  his  crossing,  but  were  soon  put  to  flight  by 
the  cav(alry,  and  dispersed  to  the  fastnesses  of  the  adjoining 
country.  Without  further  opposition  the  march  was  con- 
tinued to  Chicaza.  “It  stood  upon  a gentle  hill,  stretching 
from  north  to  south,  watered  on  each  side  by  a small  stream, 
bordered  by  groves  of  walnut  and  oak  trees.”  It  was  the 
18th  of  December  when  the  army  arrived  at  Chicaza,  and 
the  weather  being  cold,  with  snow  and  ice,  De  Soto  deter- 
mined to  winter  here.  At  Chicaza,  as  at  Mauvila,  the  Span- 
iards were  surprised  by  a well  arranged  night  attack  from 
the  Indians.  As  in  the  former  case,  the  Spaniards  were  vic- 
torious ; their  loss,  however,  was  severe.  Forty  soldiers  were 
killed,  and  fifty  horses. 

After  a few  days  his  encampment  was  broken  up,  and  the 
army  marched  to  Chiacilla,  about  a league  distant ; here  they 
spent  the  remainder  of  the  winter,  and  till  the  end  of  March. 
“The  cold  was  rigorous  in  the  extreme.” 

From  this  place  the  army  marched,  the  1st  April,  four 
leagues,  and  encamped  in  a plain  beyond  the  Chicaza  boun- 
dary. At  a fortress  of  great  strength,  called  Alibamo,  was 


* Irving. 


BATTLE  AND  PILLAGE  OF  CHISCA. 


29 


the  next  battle  fought.  It  was  “ upon  a narrow  and  deep 
river,  that  flowed  in  its  rear.”  The  loss  of  the  Spaniards  was 
fifteen  ; that  of  the  natives,  great.  Continuing  the  march 
towards  the  north,  “ for  seven  days  they  traversed  an  unin- 
habited country,  full  of  forests  and  swamps.  At  length  they 
came  in  sight  of  a village,  called  Chisca,  seated  near  a wide 
river.”*  This  was  the  largest  stream  they  had  discovered 
in  their-expeditiou,  and  the  Spaniards  called  it  the  Rio  Grande. 
It  is  evidently  the  Mississippi."  Juan  Coles,  one  of  the  fol- 
lowers of  De  Soto,  says  that  the  Indian  name  of  the  river  was 
Chucagua.  The  Portuguese  narrator  says,  that  in  one  place 
it  was  called  Tomaliseu  ; in  another,  Tupata ; in  another, 
Mico  ; and  at  that  part  where  it  enters  the  sea,  Ri.  It  is 
probable  it  had  different  names  among  the  different  Indian 
tribes.  The  village  of  Chisca,  near  its  banks,  was  called  by 
the  Portuguese  narrator,  Quizquiz. 

It  is  generally  conjectured  that  Chisca,  the  village  near 
which  De  Soto  was  encamped,  and  which  bore  the  name  of 
the  chieftain  of  the  province  through  whose  territories  the 
Spaniards  were  passing,  occupied  the  site  of  the  present 
thriving  city  of  Memphis,  and  that  the  point  where  they 
crossed  the  Mississippi  was  near  the  Chickasaw  Bluff.  A 
mournful  interest  will  be  excited  in  the  mind  of  the  Ten- 
nessee reader  to  know  every  incident  that  occurred  during 
the  sojourn  of  the  cavaliers  near  our  boundaries  or  within 
our  state.  We  copy  from  Irving. 

“ The  Indians  of  this  province,  owing  to  their  unceasing  warfare  with 
the  natives  of  Chicaza,  and  the  country  lying  between  them  being  un- 
peopled, knew  nothing  of  the  approach  of  the  strangers.  The  moment 
the  Spaniards  descried  the  village,  they  rushed  into  it  in  a disorderly 
manner,  took  many  Indian  prisoners,  of  both  sexes  and  of  all  ages,  and 
pillaged  the  houses. 

“ On  a high  artificial  mound,  on  one  side  of  the  village,  stood  the 
dwelling  of  the  cacique,  which  served  as  a fortress.  The  only  ascent  to 
it  was  by  two  ladders.  Many  of  the  Indians  took  refuge  there,  while 
others  fled  to  a dense  wood,  that  arose  between  the  village  and  the 
river.  Chisca,  the  chieftain  of  the  province,  was  very  old  and  lying  ill 
in  his  bed.  Hearing  the  tumult  and  shouts,  however,  he  raised  himself 
and  went  forth  ; and  as  he  beheld  the  sacking  of  his  village,  and  the 
capture  of  his  vassals,  he  seized  a tomahawk,  and  began  to  descend  in  a 
furious  rage,  threatening  vengeance  and  extermination  to  all  who  had 

* Irving. 


30 


INDIAN  COUNCIL. 


dared  to  enter  his  domains  -without  permission.  With  all  these  brava- 
does, the  cacique,  besides  being  infirm  and  very  old,  was  pitiful  in  his 
dimensions ; the  most  miserable  little  Indian  that  the  Spaniards  had 
seen  in  all  their  marchings.  He  was  animated,  however,  by  the  deeds 
and  exploits  of  his  youth,  for  he  had  been  a doughty  warrior  and  ruled 
over  a vast  province. 

“ The  women  and  attendants  of  the  cacique  surrounded  him,  and, 
with  tears  and  entreaties,  prevailed  upon  him  not  to  descend ; at  the 
same  time,  those  who  came  up  from  the  village  informed  him  that  the 
enemy  were  men  such  as  they  had  never  before  beheld  or  heard  of,  and 
that  they  came  upon  strange  animals  of  great  size  and  wonderful  agility. 
If  you  desire  to  battle  with  them,  said  they,  to  avenge  this  injury,  it 
will  be  better  to  summon  together  the  warriors  of  the  neighbourhood, 
and  await  a more  fitting  opportunity.  In  the  meantime,  let  us  put  on 
the  semblance  of  friendship,  and  not,  by  any  inconsiderate  rashness, 
provoke  our  destruction.  With  these  and  similar  arguments,  the  women 
and  attendants  of  the  cacique  prevented  his  sallying  forth  to  battle. 
He  continued,  however,  in  great  wrath,  and  when  the  governor  sent 
him  a message,  offering  peace,  he  returned  an  answer,  refusing  all  amity, 
and  breathing  fiery  vengeance. 

“ He  Soto  and  his  followers,  wearied  out  with  the  harassing  warfare 
of  the  past  winter,  were  very  desirous  of  peace.  Having  pillaged  the 
village  and  offended  the  cacique,  they  were  in  something  of  a dilemma  ; 
accordingly,  they  sent  him  many  gentle  and  most  soothing  messages. 
Added  to  their  disinclination  for  war,  they  observed,  that  during  the 
three  hours  they  had  halted  in  the  village,  nearly  four,  thousand  well 
armed  warriors  had  rallied  around  the  cacique,  and  they  feared  that  if 
such  a multitude  could  assemble  in  such  a short  time,  there  must  be 
large  reinforcements  in  reserve.  They  perceived,  moreover,  that  the 
situation  of  the  village  was  very  advantageous  for  the  Indians,  and  very 
unfavourable  to  them ; for  the  plains  around  were  covered  with  trees 
and  intersected  by  numerous  streams,  which  would  impede  the  move- 
ments of  the  cavalry.  But  more  than  all  this,  they  had  learned  from 
sad  experience,  that  these  incessant  conflicts  did  not  in  the  least  profit, 
them  ; day  after  day,  man  and  horse  were  slain,  and,  in  the  midst  of  a 
hostile  country,  and  far  from  home  and  hope  of  succour,  their  number 
was  gradually  dwindling  away. 

“ The  Indians  held  a council,  to  discuss  the  messages  of  the  strangers. 
Many  were  for  war  ; they  were  enraged  with  the  imprisonment  of  their 
wives  and  children,  and  the  pillage  of  their  property — to  recover  which, 
according  to  then-  fierce  notions,  the  only  recourse  was  arms.  Others, 
who  had  not  lost  any  thing,  yet  desired  hostilities,  from  a natural  incli- 
nation for  fighting.  They  wished  to  exhibit  their  valour  and  prowess, 
and  to  try  what  kind  of  men  these  were,  who  carried  such  strange  arms. 
The  more  pacific  savages,  however,  advised  that  the  proffered  peace 
should  be  accepted,  as  the  surest  means  of  recovering  their  wives,  and 
children,  and  effects.  They  added,  that  the  enemy  might  burn  their  vil- 
lages and  lay  waste  their  fields,  at  a time  when  their  grain  was  almost 
ripening,  and  thus  add  to  their  calamities.  The  valour  of  these  stran- 


DE  SOTO  AND  HIS  ARMY  CROSS  THE  MISSISSIPPI. 


31 


gers,  said  they,  is  sufficiently  evident ; for  men  who  have  passed  through 
so  many  enemies,  cannot  be  otherwise  than  brave. 

“ This  latter  counsel  prevailed.  The  cacique,  dissembling  his  anger, 
replied  to  the  envoy,  that  since  the  Spaniards  entreated  for  peace,  he 
would  grant  it,  and  allow  them  to  halt  in  the  villager,  and  give  them 
food,  on  condition  that  they  would  immediately  free  his  subjects  and 
restore  their  effects,  not  keeping  a single  article.  He  also  stipulated 
that  they  should  not  mount  to  see  him.  If  these  terms  were  accepted, 
he  said  he  would  be  friendly  ; if  not,  he  defied  them  to  the  combat. 

“ The  Spaniards  readily  agreed  to  these  conditions ; the  prisoners  and 
plunder  were  restored,  and  the  Indians  departed  from  the  village,  leaving 
food  in  the  dwellings  for  the  Spaniards,  who  sojourned  here  six  days  to 
tend  the  sick.  On  the  last  day,  with  the  permission  of  the  cacique,  De 
Soto  visited  him,  and  thanked  him  for  his  friendship  and  hospitality, 
and,  on  the  subsequent  day,  they  resumed  their  march.  Departing 
from  Chisca,  the  army  travelled  by  slow  journeys  of  three  leagues  a day, 
on  account  of  the  wounded  and  sick.  They  followed  up  the  windings 
of  the  river  until  the  fourth  day,  when  they  came  to  an  opening  in  the 
thickets.  Heretofore,  they  had  been  threading  a vast  and  dense  forest, 
bordering  the  stream,  whose  banks  were  so  high,  on  both  sides,  that 
they  could  neither  descend  nor  clamber  up  them.  De  Soto  found  it 
necessary  to  halt  in  this  place  twenty  days,  to  build  boats  or  piraquas  to 
cross  the  river ; for,  on  the  opposite  bank,  a great  multitude  of  Indian 
warriors  were  assembled,  well  armed,  and  with  a fleet  of  canoes  to 
defend  the  passage. 

“ The  morning  after  the  governor  had  encamped,  some  of  the  natives 
visited  him.  Advancing  without  speaking  a word,  and  turning  their 
faces  to  the  east,  they  made  a profound  genuflexion  to  the  sun ; then 
facing  to  the  west,  they  made  the  same  obeisance  to  the  moon,  and  con- 
cluded with  a similar,  but  less  humble,  reverence  to  De  Soto.  They 
said  that  they  came  in  the  name  of  the  cacique  of  the  province,  and  in 
the  name  of  all  his  subjects,  to  bid  them  welcome,  and  to  offer  their 
friendship  and  services ; and  added,  that  they  were  desirous  of  seeing 
what  kind  of  men  these  strangers  were,  as  there  was  a tradition  handed 
down  from  their  ancestors,  that  a white  people  would  come  and  conquer 
their  country.  The  adelantado  said  many  kind  things  in  reply,  and 
dismissed  them  well  pleased  with  their  courteous  reception.” 

At  the  end  of  twenty  days,  four  piraquas  were  built  and 
launched.  About  three  hours  before  the  dawn  of  day,  De 
Soto  ordered  them  to  be  manned,  and  four  troopers  of  tried 
courage  to  go  in  each.  The  rowers  pulled  strongly,  and 
when  they  were  within  a stone’s  throw  of  the  shore,  the 
troopers  dashed  into  the  water,  and,  meeting  with  no  opposi- 
tion from  the  enemy,  they  easily  effected  a landing  and 
made  themselves  masters  of  the  pass.  Two  hours  before 
the  sun  went  down,  the  whole  army  had  passed  over  the 


32 


THE  FRENCH  ASCEND  THE  ST.  LAWRENCE. 


! $ Mississippi.  The  river  in  this  place,  says  the  Por- 
( tuguese  historian,  was  a half  league  from  one  shore 
to  the  other,  so  that  a man  standing  still  could  scarce  be 
discerned  from  the  opposite  bank.  The  stream  was  of  great 
depth,  very  muddy,  and  was  filled  with  trees  and  timber 
carried  along  by  the  rapidity  of  the  current. 

It  is  deemed  not  necessary  to  the  purpose  of  these  annals, 
to  follow  the  route  of  De  Soto  further.  The  object  of  his 
expedition  had  been  conquest  and  colonization.  He  had 
thus  far  succeeded  in  neither.  The  generous  mind  sympa- 
thizes in  his  reverses  of  fortune.  The  captor  of  Atahualpa 
entreated  a peace  with  the  superannuated  cacique  of  Chisca; 
a leader  at  the  storming  of  Cusco,  asked  leave  to  bivouac 
in  the  wigwam  of  his  subjects;  and  the  Governor  of  Cuba 
begs  for  the  hospitalities  of  the  chieftain  of  an  interior  pro- 
vince on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi.  It  is  painful  to  wan- 
der with  him  a year  longer  in  the  wild  and  boundless  soli- 
tudes west  of  that  stream,  or  to  trace  his  return  to  it,  to  die 
( in  the  secluded  forest  upon  its  shore.  It  will  be  suffi- 
t c>ent  to  remark,  that  the  death  of  the  enterprising 
commander  of  the  expedition,  the  vast  amount  of  money 
(100,000  ducats)  expended,  the  loss  of  more  than  two-thirds 
of  his  army,  his  failure  to  find  gold  or  to  achieve  any  of  the 
objects  of  the  undertaking,  discouraged  further  attempts  by 
Europeans  to  penetrate  this  part  of  the  country  ; and  it  was 
not  till  1073  that  another  adventurer  from  the  Old  World 
again  visited  what  is  now  known  as  Tennessee. 

Maritime  discoveries  were,  however,  still  prosecuted ; 
and  at  the  very  time  De  Soto  was  carrying  on  his  abortive 
invasion  by  land,  the  interior  of  North  America  was  sought 
in  another  direction,  and  under  the  auspices  of  another 
nation.  In  1542,  Cartier  and  Roberval  had  sailed  up  the  St. 
La  wrence,  built  a fort,  and  made  a feeble  effort  to  explore 
and  settle  Canada.  The  colony  was  soon  abandoned,  and 
for  half  a century  the  French  took  no  measures  to  establish 
settlements  there.  England,  also,  partook  of  the  spirit  of 
exploration  and  adventure  that  was  still  active  and  engross- 
ing. That  power,  in  consequence  of  the  discoveries  by  the 
Cabots,  had  taken  formal  possession,  under  Sir  Humphrey 


RALEIGH  LANDS  IN  NORTII-CAROLINA. 


33 


Gilbert,  in  1583,  of  Newfoundland.  The  next  year,  Queen 
Elizabeth,  by  royal  patent,  authorized  Sir  Walter  Raleigh 
to  discover  and  occupy  such  remote,  heathen  and  barbarous 
lands,  not  possessed  or  inhabited  by  Christian  people,  as  to 
him  should  seem  good.*  Under  this  patent,  Raleigh  sent 
two  experienced  commanders,  Amadas  and  Barlow,  to  ex- 
plore the  country  then  called  Florida.  They  arrived  on  the 
American  coast,  July  4,  1584,  and  sailed  along  the  shore  one 
hundred  and  twenty  miles,  before  they  could  find  an  entrance, 
by  any  river,  issuing  into  the  sea.  Coming  to  one  at  length, 
they  entered  it,  and  having  manned  their  boats  ^nd  viewed 
the  adjoining  lands,  they  took  formal  possession  of  the  coun- 
try for  the  Queen  of  England. f They  had  landed  upon  the 
Island  of  Wocoken,  the  southernmost  of  the  islands  forming 
Ocracock  Inlet,  upon  the  coast  of  our  parent  state,  North- 
Carolina.  The  adventurers  explored  Roanoke  Island  and 
Albemarle  Sound,  and,  after  a short  stay,  returned  to  Eng- 
land, “accompanied  by  Manteo  and  Wanchese,  two  natives 
of  the  wilderness  ; and  the  returning  voyagers  gave  such 
glowing  descriptions  of  their  discoveries  as  might  be  ex- 
pected from  men  who  had  done  no  more  than  sail  over  the 
smooth  waters  of  a summer’s  sea,  among  ‘ the  hundred  is- 
lands’ of  North-Carolina.  Elizabeth,  as  she  heard  their 
reports,  esteemed  her  reign  signalized  by  the  discovery  of  the 
enchanting  regions,  and,  as  a memorial  of  her  state  of  life, 
named  them, Virginia.”J  Raleigh,  determined  to  carry  into 
effect  his  scheme  of  colonization,  found  little  difficulty  in 
collecting  together  a large  company  of  emigrants,  and,  in 
April  of  1585,  fitted  out  a new  expedition  of  seven  vessels 
and  one  hundred  and  eight  colonists,  with  which  to  form  the 
first  settlement  upon  the  soil  of  Carolina.  The  fleet  reached 
Wocoken  the  26th  of  June,  and  having  left  the  colony 
under  the  direction  of  Ralf  Lane  as  its  governor,  Sir  Richard 

* Thus  Queen  Elizabeth  executed  the  first  patent  from  an  English  sovereign, 
for  any  lands  within  the  territory  of  the  United  States,  to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh. 
Its  date  is  March  26,  1584.  The  present  State  of  Tennessee  is  within  its  boun- 
daries, but  nearly  two  centuries  elapsed  before  that  part  of  the  queen’s  grant  was 
settled. 


3 


\ Holmes.  % Bancroft. 


34 


JAMES  TOWN  LAID  OFF. 


Grenville,  in  command  of  the  ships,  returned  to  Plymouth. 
The  colony,  however,  was  destined  to  be  short-lived.  Its 
members  became  discontented,  their  supplies  were  exhausted, 
they  sighed  “for  the  luxuries  of  the  cities  of  their  native 
land,”  and  an  opportune  arrival  of  Sir  Francis  Drake  fur- 
nished the  means  of  their  return  to  England. 

Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  not  to  be  driven  from  his  purpose  of 
^ $ colonization  by  past  failures,  collected  another  body 

l of  emigrants,  with  wives  and  families  and  implements 
of  husbandry  ; intending  to  form  ah  agricultural  community, 
in  which  the  endearments  of  home  and  the  means  of  pro- 
curing a certain  subsistence,  might  ensure  stability  and  per- 
manence. This  new  and  more  promising  colony,  with  John 
White  for  its  governor,  was  sent  out  in  April,  and  arrived 
July  23,  at  Roanoke,  where  the  foundations  of  the  “ citie  of 
Raleigh”  were  laid. 

Eleanor  Dare,  wife  of  one  of  the  assistants,  and  the  daugh- 
ter of  Governor  White,  gave  birth  to  a female  child,  the  first 
offspring  of  English  parents  on  the  soil  of  the  United  States.* 
It  was  called,  from  the  place  of  its  birth,  Virginia  Dare. 

But  the  wise  policy  and  liberal  provision  of  Raleigh  were 
lost  upon  this  his  last  colony.  In  1590  not  a vestige  of  its 
existence  could  be  found. 

In  1607,  a more  successful  effort  secured  the  formation  of 
a permanent  English  colony  in  America.  Captain  Newport 
commanded  a fleet  of  three  ships,  with  one  Jiundred  emi- 
grants, to  Virginia.  He  had  intended  to  land  at  Roanoke, 
and  make  further  attempts  to  form  a settlement  there  ; but 
being  driven  by  a storm  to  the  northward  of  that  place,  the 
fleet  entered  Chesapeake  Bay,  and,  on  the  13th  of  May,  the 
adventurers  took  possession  of  a peninsula  upon  the  north 
side  of  the  river  Powhatan.  Here  they  laid  off  a town, 
which,  in  honour  of  the  king,  they  called  James  Town.  The 
charter  under  which  this  first  English  colony  in  America  was 
planted,  reserved  supreme  legislative  authority  to  the  king  ; 
and  while  a general  superintendence  of  the  colony  was  con- 
fided to  a council  in  England,  appointed  by  him,  its  local  ad- 
ministration was  entrusted  to  a council  residing  within  its 

* Bancroft. 


FIRST  REPRESENTATIVE  BODY  IN  AMERICA. 


35 


limits.  “To  the  emigrants  themselves  it  conceded  not  one 
elective  franchise  ; not  one.  of  the  rights  of  self-government.”* 

A second  charter,  in  1609,  invested  the  company  with  the 
election  of  the  council  and  the  exercise  of  legislative  power, 
independent  of  the  crown. 

In  1612,  a third  patent  gave  to  the  company  a more  demo- 
cratic form ; power  was  transferred  from  the  council  to  the 
stockholders,  and  “ their  sessions  became  the  theatre  of  bold 
and  independent  discussions.”  In  1619,  the  colonists  them- 
selves were  allowed  to  share  in  legislation  ; and  in  June  of 
that  year,  the  governor,  the  council,  and  two  representatives 
from  each  of  the  boroughs,  constituted  the  first  popular  repre- 
sentative body  of  the  western  hemisphere. f In  1621,  a writ- 
ten constitution  was  brought  out  by  Sir  Francis  Wyat,  gov- 
ernor of  the  colony,  extending  still  further  the  representative 
principle.  Under  its  provisions  two  burgesses  were  to  be 
chosen  for  the  assembly  by  every  town,  hundred  or  particu- 
lar plantation.  All  matters  were  to  be  decided  by  a majority 
in  the  assembly,  reserving  to  the  governor  the  veto  power, 
and  requiring  the  sanction  of  the  general  court  of  the  com- 
pany in  England.  On  the  other  hand,  no  order  of  the  gene- 
ral court  was  to  bind  the  colony  until  assented  to  by  the  as- 
sembly ; each  colonist  thus  became  a freeman  and  a citizen, 
and  ceased  to  be  a servant  of  a commercial  company,  and 
dependent  on  the  will  and  orders  of  his  superior.  J The  colony 
flourished,  and  its  frontier  extended  to  the  Potomac  in  the 
interior,  and  coastwise  expanded  to  Albemarle  Sound,  upon 
which  the  first  permanent  settlers  in  North-Carolina  pitched 
their  tent,  having  been  attracted  by  the  report  of  an  adven- 
turer from  Virginia,  who,  on  his  return  from  it,  “ celebrated 
the  kindness  of  the  native  people,  the  fertility  of  the  country, 
and  the  happy  climate,  that  yielded  two  harvests  in  each 
year.”  § These  representations  of  the  advantages  of  the 
country,  and  the  prosperous  condition  of  its  pioneer  emigrants, 
awakened  the  cupidity  and  excited  the  ambition  of  English 
courtiers.  On  the  24th  of  March,  1663,  Charles  II.  granted 
to  Edward,  Earl  of  Clarendon,  Monk,  Lord  Craven,  Lord 
Ashley  Cooper,  Sir  John  Colleton,  Lord  John  Berkeley,  Sir 

* Bancroft.  j-  Holmes.  j:  Idem.  § Smith’*  Virginia. 


36 


SELF-GOVERNMENT  PROVIDED  FOR. 


I 

William  Berkeley,  and  Sir  George  Carteret,  all  the  country 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  ocean,  included  between  the 
thirty-first  and  thirty-sixth  parallels  of  latitude,  and  consti- 
tuted them  its  proprietors  and  immediate  sovereigns.  Exten- 
sive as  was  this  grant,  the  proprietaries  in  June,  1665,  secured 
by  a second  patent,  an  enlargement  of  their  powers,  and 
such  further  extent  of  their  boundaries,  as  to  include  all  the 
country  between  the  parallels  of  thirty-six  degrees  thirty 
minutes  and  twenty-nine  degrees  north  latitude,  embracing 
all  the  territory  of  North  and  South-Carolina,  Georgia,  Ten- 
nessee, Alabama,  Mississippi,  Louisiana,  Arkansas,  a part  of 
Florida  and  Missouri,  and  much  of  Texas,  New  Mexico  and 
California.  That  part  of  its  northern  boundary  extending  from 
the  top  of  the  Alleghany  mountain  to  the  eastern  bank  of 
the  Tennessee  river,  is  the  line  of  separation  between  Vir- 
ginia and  Tennessee,  and  Kentucky  and  Tennessee. 

“Among  other  powers  conferred  upon  the  lord  proprietors 
was  that  of  enacting  laws  and  constitutions  for  the  people  of 
that  province,  by  and  with  the  advice,  assent  and  approbation 
of  the  freemen  thereof,  or  of  the  greater  part  of  them,  or  of  their 
delegates  or  deputies,  who  were  to  be  assembled  from  time  to 
time  for  that  purpose.”*  So  earl}'  and  so  deeply  was  the 
germ  of  self-government  planted  in  Carolina.  In  1667,  the 
first  constitution  was  given  by  the  proprietary  government. 
It  directed  that  the  governor  should  act  with  the  advice  of  a 
council  of  twelve,  one  half  to  be  appointed  by  himself,  the 
other  half  by  the  assembly,  and  this  was  to  be  composed  of 
the  governor,  the  council,  and  twelve  delegates  chosen  by  the 
freeholders. 

Historians  do  not  agree  as  to  the  precise  year  in  which  the 
first  legislative  body  in  North-Carolina  convened.  It  was 
certainly,  however,  in  1666  or  1667.  This  legislature  was 
called  the  “Grand  Assembly  of  the  County  of  Albemarle.” 
Its  principal  acts  were  such  as  were  believed  to  be  required 
by  the  peculiar  situation  of  the  country,  and  were  prompted 
by  an  anxious  desire  to  increase  its  population.! 

While  the  colonists  of  Virginia  and  Carolina  were  slowly 
extending  their  settlements  in  the  direction  of  Tennessee, 
* Preface  of  Revised  Statutes  of  North-Carolina.  t Idem. 


ALLEGH ANTES  FIRST  CROSSED. 


37 


they  remained  entirely  ignorant  of  the  great  interior  of  the 
continent.  It  was  the  policy  of  the  proprietors  to  know  some- 
thing more  of  the  vast  domains  within  the  limits  of  their 
grants,  and  explorations  were  projected  to  ascertain  and  oc- 
cupy them.  In  their  hunting  excursions,  the  highlands  of 
Virginia  had  been  seen,  but  adventure  had  not  discovered 
the  distant  sources  of  its  rivers,  and  the  country  beyond  the 
Blue  Ridge  was  yet  unknown.  Its  original  inhabitants  still 
roamed  through  the  ancient  woods,  free,  independent  and 
secure,  in  happy  ignorance  of  the  approaches  of  civilized  man. 
Its  flora,  scattered  in  magnificent  profusion  over  hill  and  dale, 
mountain  and  prairie,  still  “ wasted  its  fragrance  on  the  desert 
air.”  La  Belle  Reviere,  in  quietude  and  silence,  winded 
along  its  placid  current  through  the  “dark  and  bloody  land” 
to  the  Father  of  Rivers,  which  itself,  in  turbid  violence,  rolled 
its  angry  floods  in  solitary  grandeur  to  the  sea.  It  was  not 
till  1655,  that  “Colonel  Woods,  who  dwelt  at  the  falls  of 
James  river,  sent  suitable  persons  on  a journey  of  discovery 
to  the  westward  ; they  crossed  the  Alleghany  mountains,  and 
reached  the  banks-  of  the  Ohio  and  other  rivers  emptying 
into  the  Mississippi.”  * The  route  pursued  is  not  distinctly 
known.  It  is  scarcely  probable  that,  ascending  the  James 
river,  Colonel  Woods  fell  into  the  beautiful  valley  of  Vir- 
ginia, and,  following  its  course,  passed  through  the  upper 
part  of  East  Tennessee  and  Cumberland  Gap  to  the  Ohio. 
With  the  limited  knowledge  then  had  of  the  geography  of  the 
West,  the  Holston  would  be  considered  as  an  immediate  tri- 
butary of  the  Mississippi.  If  such  was  indeed  the  route  pur- 
sued, Colonel  Woods  was  the  pioneer  in  that  great  channel 
of  emigration  that  more  than  a century  afterwards  began  to 
pour  its  immense  flood  of  emigrants  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
West. 

In  the  meantime,  religious  enthusiasm  and  French  loyalty 
were  extending  discoveries  to  the  westward  in  another  chan- 
nel. The  feeble  settlements  of  the  French  planted  upon  the 
1665  $ St.  Lawrence,  were  strengthened  and  extended  along 
l the  great  lakes.  In  1665,  Father  Claude  Alloiiez  em- 
barked on  a mission  to  the  Far  West  by  way  of  the  Ottawa. 

* Martin’s  North-Carolina,  vol.  1,  p.  115. 


'38 


CHICKASAW  BLUFF. 


During  his  voyages  along  the  lakes,  and  his  sojourn  in  the 
immense  wilds  around  them,  “ he  lighted  the  torch  of  faith 
for  more  than  twenty  different  nations.”  His  curiosity  was 
roused  by  hearing  from  the  Illinois  “the  tale  of  the  noble 
river  on  which  they  dwelt,  and  which  flowed  towards  the 
south.”  Allol'iez  reported  its  name  to  be  Messipi. 

In  1673,  Marquette,  another  missionary,  and  Joliet,  pene- 
trated beyond  the  lakes.  Talon,  the  intendant  of  New 
France,  wished  to  signalize  his  administration  by  “ ascertain- 
ing if  the  French,  descending  the  great  river  of  the  central 
west,  could  bear  the  banner  of  France  to  the  Pacific,  or  plant 
it,  side  by  side  with  that  of  Spain,  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.”* 
Under  his  patronage,  Marquette  and  Joliet,  with  five  French 
companions  and  two  Algonquins  as  guides,  entered  upon  the 
enterprise.  Their  canoes  were  carried  across  the  narrow 
portage  between  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  rivers,  and  on  the 
10th  of  June,  in  the  beautiful  language  of  Bancroft,  France 
n ^ and  Christianity  stood  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi. 

I Descending  the  Wisconsin  in  seven  days,  they  entered 
the  great  river.  They  were  peaceably  received  by  the  Illi- 
nois and  other  Indian  tribes  along  its  banks.  The  Missouri 
was  then  known  by  its  Algonquin  name,  Pekitanoni.  The 
Ohio  was  then,  and  long  after,  called  the  Wabash.  In  the 
map  published  with  Marquette’s  Journal,  in  1681,  numerous 
villages  are  laid  down  upon  its  banks  as  inhabited  by  the 
(Chauvanon)  Shawnees,  and  east  of  them,  in  the  interior,  are 
represented  dense  Indian  settlements  or  villages  of  different 
tribes,  and  all  situated  between  the  thirty-fifth  and  thirty- 
sixth  degrees.  Highlands  corresponding  to  the  first,  second 
and  third  Chickasaw  Bluffs,  as  now  known,  are  delineated 
with  considerable  accuracy  ; as  is  also  a large  island  in  the 
Mississippi  nearly  opposite  to  the  lower  bluff,  now  known  as 
President’s  Island.  The  Ohio  has  a tributary  running  into  it 
from  the  south-east,  and  the  Shawnee  villages  occupy  a 
place  upon  the  map  between  that  tributary  and  the  Missis- 
sippi. The  latter  stream  is  spelled  Mitchisipi.  In  the  land 
of  the  Chickasaws,  the  Indians  had  guns,  obtained  probably 
by  traffic  or  warfare  with  the  Spaniards.  Lower  down  the 

* Bancroft. 


FIRST  CABIN  AND  FORT  IN  TENNESSEE. 


39 


river  axes  were  also  seen,  acquired  probably  in  the  same 
way.  ■ 

The  adventurers  descended  as  low  as  the  mouth  of  the 
Arkansas,  and  on  the  17th  of  July  ascended  the  Mississippi 
on  their  return.  The  account  of  their  voyage  and  discove- 
ries excited  among  their  countrymen  brilliant  schemes  of 
colonization  in  the  south-west, — a spirit  of  territorial  aggran- 
dizement for  the  crown  of  France,  and  of  commerce  between 
Europe  and  the  Mississippi — and  La  Salle  was  commissioned 
to  perfect  the  discovery  of  the  great  river.  In  1682,  he  de- 
scended that  stream  to  the  sea,  planted  the  arms  of  France 
near  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  claimed  the  territory  for  that  power, 
and  in  honour  of  his  monarch,  Louis  XIV.,  gave  it  the  name 
of  Louisiana.  As  he  passed  down  the  river  he  framed  a 
cabin  and  built  a fort,*  called  Prud’homme,  on  the  first 
Chickasaw  Bluff.  The  first  work,  except  probably  the  pira- 
quas  of  De  Soto,  ever  executed  by  the  hand  of  civilization 
within  the  boundaries  of  Tennessee.  A cabin  and  a fort  ! 
Fit  emblem  and  presage  of  the  future  in  Tennessee.  The  axe 
and  the  rifle,  occupancy  and  defence,  settlement  and  con- 
quest ! 

While  at  the  Bluff,  La  Salle  entered  into  amicable  arrange- 
ments for  opening  a trade  with  the  Chickasaws,  and  esta- 
blished there  a trading  post  that  should  be  a point  of  ren- 
dezvous for  traders  passing  from  the  Illinois  country  to  the 
posts  that  should  be  established  below.  The  commercial 
acumen  of  La  Salle  in  founding  a trading  post  at  this  point, 
is  now  made  most  manifest.  Near  the  same  ground  has 
since  arisen  a city,  whose  commerce  already  exceeds  that  of 
any  other  in  Tennessee,  and  whose  facilities  for  trade,  foreign 
and  domestic,  by  land  or  water,  portend  a commercial  destiny 
scarcely  inferior  to  that  of  the  ancient  Memphis ; and,  after 
the  accomplishment  of  the  public  improvements  contemplated 
and  projected,  not  surpassed  by  any  point  upon  the  Missis- 
sippi above  New-Orleans. 

Thus  one  hundred  and  eighty  years  after  the  discovery  of 
America,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty  years  after  DeSoto  had 
crossed  our  western  limit,  did  Marquette  and  Joliet  coast 
* Martin’s  North-Carolina,  vol.  1,  p.  176. 


40 


CHARLES  TOWN  LAID  OUT. 


along  and  discover  the  western  boundary  of  Tennessee.  And 
thus,  one  hundred  years  after  Queen  Elizabeth  had  signed 
the  patent  to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  did  La  Salle  claim  for  his 
monarch,  Louis  XIV.,  the  rich  domain,  with  the  illimitable 
and  magnificent  resources  of  the  great  Mississippi  valley. 
In  proof  of  the  uncertain  tenure  of  all  earthly  monarchs,  it 
may  be  remarked,  that  the  claims  of  both  these  rival  king- 
doms have  long  since  passed  into  the  hands  of  others,  and 
that  American  sovereignties  and  American  freemen  now 
possess  and  control  the  rich  heritage  which,  in  its  lust  for 
territorial  acquisition,  European  royalty  had,  with  munificent 
prodigality,  appropriated  for  trans-atlantic  subjects. 

After  this  rapid  survey  of  French  exploration  and  dis- 
covery in  the  West,  we  return  to  notice  further  the  growth 
and  extension  of  Virginia  and  Carolina,  as  through  them,  at 
later  periods,  were  the  principal  avenues  of  emigration  to 
Tennessee. 

In  the  former  colony,  temporary  difficulties  resulted  from 
civil  commotion  and  occasional  aggressions  of  the  natives  ; 
still  the  government  had  been  conducted  with  such  wise 
moderation  that  tranquillity  was  restored,  and  a rapid  in- 
crease of  population  and  the  extension  of  the  settlements 
followed.  In  1671,  Virginia  contained  forty  thousand  souls. 

Albemarle,  as  North-Carolina  was  then  called,  contained, 
in  1670,  about  fourteen  hundred  inhabitants.  Other  settle- 
ments had  begun  to  expand  along  the  coast  south  of  it. 
“The  command  of  Sir  John  Yeamans,  who  ruled  the  planta- 
tion around  Cape  Fear,  was  extended  over  that  which  lay 
southward  of  Cape  Carteret.  The  planters  from  Clarendon 
and  Port  Royal  resorted  to  the  banks  of  Ashley  river.”  * In 
1671,  “old  Charlestown”  was  laid  out.  In  1674,  “all  the 
freemen  of  Carolina,  meeting  by  summons,  there  elected 
representatives  to  make  laws  for  the  government  of  the 
colony.  There  were  now  a colonial  governor,  an  upper  and 
a lower  house  of  assembly,  and  these  three  branches  took 
the  name  of  parliament.  This  was  the  first  parliament  that 
passed  acts  which  were  ratified  by  the  proprietaries,  and  pre- 
served in  the  records  of  the  colony.”  f In  1680,  Charlestown 
* Holmes.  t Idem. 


Culpeper’s  rebellion. 


41 


was  removed  to  the  point  formed  by  the  confluence  of  the 
Ashley  and  Cooper  rivers,  and  was  declared  to  be  the  capital 
for  the  general  administration  of  government  in  Carolina. 

In  December,  1677,  Miller,  a collector  of  the  royal  customs, 
in  attempting  to  reform  some  abuses  in  Albemarle,  became 
obnoxious  to  the  people,  and  an  insurrection  followed.  The 
insurgents,  conducted  chiefly  by  Culpeper,  imprisoned  the 
president  and  seven  proprietary  deputies,  seized  the  royal 
revenue,  established  courts  of  justice,  appointed  officers, 
called  a parliament,  and  for  two  years  exercised  all  the 
authority  of  an  independent  state.  This  insurrection,  rather 
this  bold  attempt  at  revolution  and  self-government  by  the 
fourteen  hundred  colonists  of  Albemarle,  deserves  a further 
notice.  We,  copy  from  Marshall : 

“ The  proprietors  of  Carolina,  dissatisfied  with  their  own  system, 
applied  to  the  celebrated  Mr.  Locke  for  the  plan  of  a constitution.  They 
supposed  that  this  profound  and  accurate  reasoner  must  be  deeply 
skilled  in  the  science  of  government.  In  compliance  with  their  request, 
he  framed  a body  of  fundamental  laws,  which  were  approved  and 
adopted.  A palatine  for  life  was  to  be.  chosen  from  among  the  proprie- 
tors, who  was  to  act  as  president  of  the  palatine  court,  which  was  to  be 
composed  of  all  those  who  were  entrusted  with  the  execution  of  the 

1669  -I  Powers  granted  by  the  charter.  A body  of  hereditary  nobility 
( was  created,  to  be  denominated  landgraves  and  caciques,  the 

former  to  he  invested  with  four  baronies,  consisting  each  of  four  thou- 
sand acres,  and  the  latter  to  have  two,  containing  each  two  thousand 
acres  of  land.  These  estates  were  to  descend  with  the  dignities  forever. 
The  provincial  legislature,  denominated  a parliament,  was  to  consist  of 
the  proprietors,  in  the  absence  of  any  one  of  whom  his  place  was  to  he 
supplied  by  a deputy  appointed  by  himself,  of  the  nobility,  and  of  the 
representatives  of  the  freeholders,  who  were  elected  by  districts.  These 
discordant  materials  were  to  compose  a single  body,  which  could  initiate 
nothing.  The  bills  to  be  laid  before  it  were  to  be  prepared  in  a grand 
council,  composed  of  the  governor,  the  nobility,  and  the  deputies  of  the 
proprietors,  who  were  invested  also  with  the  executive  powers.  At  the 
end  of  every  century,  the  laws  were  to  become  void  without  the  formality 
of  a repeal.  Various  judicatories  were  erected,  and  numerous  minute 
perplexing  regulations  were  made.” 

The  Duke  of  Albemarle  was  chosen  the  first  palatine,  and 

1670  ( the  philosophic  Locke  himself  was  created  a land- 
l grave.  When  Governor  Stephens  attempted  to  intro- 
duce, as  he  was  ordered  to  do,  this  constitution  in  Albemarle, 
the  innovation  was  strenuously  opposed  ; and  the  discontent 


42 


ALBEMARLE  INDEPENDENT. 


it.  produced  was  increased  by  a rumour  that  the  proprietors 
designed  to  dismember  the  province.  At  length  these  discon- 
tents broke  out  into  open  insurrection,  and  resulted,  as  has 
been  narrated,  in  the  establishment,  under  Culpeper,  of  an 
independent  government.  Thus  furnishing,  in  the  language 
of  the  same  writer,  additional  evidence  to  the  many,  afforded 
by  history,  of  the  great  but  neglected  truth,  that  experience 
is  the  only  safe  school  in  which  the  science  of  government  is 
to  be  acquired,  and  that  the  theories  of  the  closet  must  have 
the  stamp  of  practice,  before  they  can  be  received  with  im- 
plicit confidence.  The  truth  is,  the  people  of  Albemarle  were, 
perhaps  of  all  communities,  the  least  favourable  for  a fair 
experiment  of  the  philosophic  system  of  Mr.  Locke.  It  con- 
tained scarcely  a single  feature  suited  to  the  wants  of  a 
primitive  people.  Most  of  its  provisions  were  in  conflict  with 
their  interests-  They  needed  little  legislation  and  less  gov- 
ernment, and  heretofore  they  had  legislated  for  and  governed 
themselves.  “ The  representative  principle,  indeed  the  right 
of  self-government,  seems  to  have  been,  if  not  an  inheritance 
to  the  Carolina  colonists,  certainly  cognate  and  inborn.  They 
were  the  ‘ freest  of  the  free.’  Self-government  was  epidemic 
to  them.  It  was  inherited  from  them.  It  has  descended 
without  alloy  or  adulteration  to  their  descendants  beyond  the 
mountain.  Its  contagion  has  affected  the  original  territorial 
boundaries  of  Carolina,  has  crossed  the  Mississippi,  pervades 
all  Texas,  approaches  Mexico  and  California,  and  can  have 
its  ardour  quenched  only  by  the  waves  of  the  Pacific.  From 
the  germ  at  Albemarle  sprang,  remotely,  our  independence  ; 
and  the  seed  sown  in  1677,  although  it  required  the  culture 
of  ninety-eight  years  to  bring  it  to  maturity,  continued  to 
vegetate,  till  it  produced  the  rich  harvest  of  American  inde- 
pendence.” # 

The  proprietors,  discovering  the  growing  dissatisfaction  of 
1688  ) the  colonists  with  the  constitution  of  Mr.  Locke,  abol- 
5 ished  it,  and  wisely  substituted  the  ancient  form  of 
government. 

While  the  grievances  in  Carolina  were  being  redressed, 


* Written  before  the  war  with  Mexico. 


bacon’s  rebellion. 


43 


1677 


discontents  in  Virginia  assumed  a serious  aspect ; and  about 
the  same  time  that  Culpeper  was  revolutionizing  Albemarle, 
a rebellion  appeared  at  Jamestown,  and  was  headed  by 
Bacon,  a member  of  the  council.  It  was  so  far  successful  as 
to  produce  the  flight  of  Governor  Berkeley  from  the  capital, 
a convention  of  the  people,  a new  election  of  burgesses,  and 
a new  government.  A civil  war  followed  ; the  insurgents 
burned  Jamestown,  and  would  probably  have  entirely  sub- 
verted the  authority  of  the  governor,  but  for  the  sudden  death 
of  their  daring  leader. 

The  pacification  which  followed  the  death  of  Bacon,  was 
accompanied  with  increased  emigration  and  an  exten- 
sion of  the  settlements  into  the  valley  of  Virginia.  In 
1690,  they  reached  to  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  explorations  of  the 
distant  West  were  soon  after  undertaken.  “ Early  in  his  ad- 
17H  $ ministration,  Colonel  Alexander  Spotswood,  Lieu 
f tenant-Governor  of  Virginia,  was  the  first  who  passed 
the  Apalachian  mountains,  or  Great  Blue  Hills,  and  the  gen- 
tlemen, his  attendants,  were  called  Knights  of  the  Horseshoe, 
having  discovered  a horse  pass.”  * “ Some  rivers  have  been 

discovered  on  the  west  side  of  the  Apalachian  mountains, 
which  fall  into  the  River  Ohio,  which  falls  into  the  River 
Mississippi  below  the  River  Illinois.”  f It  is  said  that  Gov- 
ernor Spotswood  passed  Cumberland  Gap  during  his  tour  of 
exploration,  and  gave  the  name  to  that  celebrated  pass,  the 
mountain  and  the  river,  which  they  have  ever  since  borne. 

Intestine  wars  prevailed  among  the  numerous  Indian  tribes 
in  Carolina,  and  the  colonists,  as  the  means  of  their  own 
security,  had  fomented  these  disputes  between  the  natives. 
As  early  as  1693,  twenty  chiefs  of  the  Cherokee  nation  waited 
upon  Governor  Smith,  and  solicited  the  protection  of  his  gov- 
ernment against  the  Esaw  and  Congaree  (Coosaw)  J Indians, 
who  had  lately  invaded  their  country  and  taken  prisoners. 
The  governor  expressing  a disposition  to  cultivate  their 
friendship,  promised  to  do  what  he  could  for  their  defence. 
In  1711,  the  Tuscaroras,  Corees,  and  other  tribes,  attempted 
the  extermination  of  the  settlers  upon  Roanoke.  One  hundred 


* Summary,  historical  and  political,  of  British  Settlements.  Yol  2,  p.  362 
t Idem.  \ Martin. 


44 


CAROLINA  DIVIDED. 


and  thirty-seven  were  massacred.  The  news  of  the  disaster 
reaching  Charleston,  Governor  Craven  sent  Colonel  Barnwell, 
with  six  hundred  militia  and  nearly  four  hundred  Indians,  to 
their  relief.  These  allies  consisted,  in  part,  of  the  Cherokees 
and  Creeks.  The  Tuscaroras  were  subdued,  and  the  hostile 
part  of  the  tribe  emigrated  to  the  vicinity  of  Oneida  Lake, 
and  became  the  sixth  nation  of  the  Iroquois  confederacy. 
“ Thus  the  power  of  the  natives  was  broken,  and  the  interior 
forests  became  safe  places  of  resort  to  the  emigrant.”  * 

The  alliance  between  the  colonists  of  Carolina  and  the 
aboriginal  inhabitants,  perhaps  never  cordial,  was  certainly 
of  short  duration.  In  less  than  five  years  after  Colonel  Barn- 
well’s expedition  against  the  Tuscaroras,  every  Indian  tribe, 
from  Florida  to  Cape  Fear,  had  united  in  a confederacy  for 
the  destruction  of  the  settlements  in  Carolina.  The  Con- 
garees,  Catawbas,  Cherokees  and  Creeks,  had  joined  the 
Yamassees  in  this  conspiracy.  They  had  recently  received 
presents,  and  guns  and  ammunition  from  the  Spaniards  at 
St.  Augustine ; and  it  has  been  supposed  that  the  defection  of 
the  Indians  may  be  traced  to  their  authority  and  seductive 
influence.  The  confederates,  after  spreading  slaughter  and 
desolation  through  the  unsuspecting  settlements,  were  met  by 
1^15  $ Governor  Craven  at  Salkehachie,  and  defeated  and 
l driven  across  the  Savannah. 

In  1719,  a domestic  revolution  took  place  in  the  southern 
part  of  Carolina.  The  proprietary  government  had,  from  the 
operation  of  several  causes,  become  unpopular  with  the 
people.  An  association  was  therefore  formed  for  uniting  the 
whole  province  against  the  government  of  the  proprietors, 
and  “ to  stand  by  their  rights  and  privileges.”  The  members 
elected  to  the  assembly  “ voted  themselves  a convention  dele- 
gated by  the  people,  and  resolved  on  having  a governor  of 
their  own  choosing.”  The  new  form  of  government  went 
into  operation  without  the  least  confusion  or  struggle. f 
In  1732,  the  province  was  divided  into  two  distinct  govern- 
ments, called  North-Carolina  and  South-Carolina. 

In  the  meantime  the  French  had  extended  their  settlements, 
laid  out  Ivaskaskias  and  other  towns,  and  built  several  forts 
* Bancroft.  f Martin. 


FIRST  STORE  IN  TENNESSEE. 


45 


in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and  established  New-Orleans 
upon  its  bank.  It  had  become  evident  that  their  intention 
was,  not  only  to  monopolize  the  Indian  traffic  in  the  West, 
but  by  a chain  of  forts  on  the  great  passes  from  Canada  to 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  to  confine  the  English  colonies  to  narrow 
limits  along  the  coast  of  the  Atlantic,  and,  by  their  influence 
with  the  natives,  to  retard  their  growth  and  check  their  ex- 
pansion westward.  Traders  from  Carolina  ha(|  already  pene- 
trated to  the  country  of  the  Chickasaws  and  Choctaws,  but 
had  been  driven  from  the  villages  of  the  latter  by  the  influ- 
ence of  Bienville,  of  Louisiana.  By  prior  discovery,  if  not 
by  conquest  or  occupancy,  France  claimed  the  whole  valley 
of  the  Mississippi.  “ Louisiana  stretched  to  the  head-springs 
of  the  Alleghany  and  the  Monongabela,  of  the  Kenhawa  and 
the  Tennessee.  Half  a mile  from  the  head  of  the  southern 
branch  of  the  Savannah  river  is  Herbert’s  Spring,  which 
flows  to  the  Mississippi ; strangers’"  who  drank  of  it  would 
say  they  had  tasted  of  French  waters.”  This  remark  of  Adair 
may  probably  explain  the  English  name  of  the  principal 
tributary  of  the  Holston.  Traders  and  hunters  from  Carolina, 
in  exploring  the  country  and  passing  from  the  head  waters 
of  Broad  river,  of  Carolina,  and  falling  upon  those  of  the 
stream  with  which  they  inosculate  west  of  the  mountain, 
would  hear  of  the  French  claim,  as  "Adair  did,  and  call  it, 
most  naturally,  French  Broad. 

M.  Charleville,  a French  trader  from  Crozat’s  colony  at 
17l4  ( New-Orleans,  came  among  the  Shawnees  then  inhab- 
l iting  the  country  upon  the  Cumberland  river,  and 
traded  with  them.  His  store  was  built  upon  a mound  near 
the  present  site  of  Nashville,  on  the  west  side  of  Cumberland 
river,  near  French  Lick  Creek,  and  about  seventy  yards  from 
each  stream.  M.  Charleville  thus  planted  upon  the  banks  of 
the  Cumberland  the  germ  of  civilization  and  commerce,  un- 
conscious that  it  contained  the  seminal  principle  of  future 
wealth,  consequence  and  empire. 

About  this  period  the  Cherokees  and  Chickasaws  expelled 
the  Shawnees  from  their  numerous  villages  upon  the  lower 
Cumberland. 

At  the  confluence  of  the  Coosa  and  Tallapoosa,  the  French 


4G 


PADUCAH  BUILT. 


built  and  garrisoned  Fort  Toulouse,  Tombeckbee,  in  the 
country  of  the  Choctaws,  Assumption,  on  the  Chickasaw 
Bluff,  and  Paducah,  at  the  mouth  of  Cumberland,  and  trading 
posts  at  different  points  along  the  Tennessee  river,  indicated 
future  conflict  of  territorial  rights,  if  not  aggression  and  hos- 
tility between  the  English  and  French  colonies.  Colonial 
rivalry  prompted  each  to  ingratiate  itself  with  and  secure 
the  trade  and  friendship  of  the  native  tribes. 

In  pursuance  of  this  policy,  Governor  Nicholson,  in  1721, 
sent  a message  to  the  Cherokees,  inviting  them  to  a general 
congress,  in  order  to  treat  of  friendship  and  commerce.  The 
chieftains  of  thirty-seven  different  towns  met  him.  He  made 
them  presents,  smoked  with  them  the  pipe  of  peace,  laid  off 
their  boundaries,  and  appointed  an  agent  to  superintend 
their  affairs.  With  the  Creeks  he  also  made  a treaty  of 
commerce  and  peace,  and  appointed  an  agent  to  reside 
among  them.  In  1730,  the  projects  of  the  French,  for  uniting 
Canada  and  Louisiana,  began  to  be  developed.  Already  had 
they  extended  themselves  northwardly  from  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  had  made  many  friends  among  the  Indians  west 
of  Carolina.  To  counteract  their  intentions,  it  was  the  wish 
of  Great  Britain  to  convert  the  Indians  into  allies  or  subjects, 
and  to  make  with  them  treaties  of  union  and  alliance.  For 
this  purpose,  Sir  Alexander  Gumming  was  sent  out  to  treat 
with  the  Cherokees,  who  then  occupied  the  lands  about  the 
head  of  Savannah  and  backward  among  the  Apalachian 
mountains.  They  were  computed  to  amount  to  more  than 
twenty  thousand,  six  thousand  of  whom  were  warriors.  Sir 
l Alexander  havingsummoned  the  Lower,  Middle,  Valley 
( and  Over-hill  settlements,  met  in  April  the  chiefs  of  all 
the  Cherokee  towns  at  Nequassee,*  informed  them  by  whose 
authority  he  was  sent,  and  demanded  of  them  to  acknow- 
ledge themselves  the  subjects  of  his  sovereign,  King  George, 
and  to  promise  obedience  to  his  authority.  Upon  which  the 
chiefs,  falling  on  their  knees,  solemnly  promised  obedience 
and  fidelity,  calling  upon  all  that  was  terrible  to  fall  upon 
them  if  they  violated  their  promise.  Sir  Alexander  then,  by 

* Martin  lias  it  Requassee.  It  is  laid  down  on  Adair’s  map  among  the  moun- 
tains near  the  sources  of  the  Iliwassec. 


TENASSEE CHIEF  TOWN. 


47 


their  unanimous  consent,  nominated  Moytoy* * * §  commander 
and  chief  of  the  Cherokee  nation.  The  crown  was  brought 
from  Tenassee,f  their  chief  town,  which,  with  five  eagle  tails 
and  four  scalps  of  their  enemies,  Moytoy  presented  to  Sir 
Alexander,  requesting  him,  on  his  arrival  at  Britain,  to  lay 
them  at  his  majesty’s  feet.  But  Sir  Alexander  proposed  to 
Moytoy,  that  he  should  depute  some  of  his  chiefs  to  accom- 
pany him  to  England,  and  do  homage  in  person  to  the  great 
king  Six  of  them,  accordingly,  did  accompany  him,  and, 
being  admitted  to  the  royal  presence,  promised,  in  the  name 
of  their  nation,  to  continue  forever  his  majesty’s  faithful  and 
obedient  subjects.^  A treaty  was  then  drawn  up  and'exe- 
cuted  formally, § of  friendship,  alliance  and  commerce.  With- 
out mentioning  the  Spaniards  and  French,  it  is  plain  that 
some  of  its  provisions  were  intended  to  exclude  their  traders 
from  any  participation  in  traffic  with  the  Cherokees,  and  to 
prevent  any  settlements  or  forts  from  being  made  by  them  in 
their  country.  In  consequence  of  this  treaty,  a condition  of 
friendship  and  peace  continued  for  many  years  between  this 
tribe  and  the  colonists. 

In  1732,  the  colony  of  Georgia  was  projected,  and  the 
governor  of  it,  Oglethorpe,  effected  a treaty  with  the  Lower 
and  Upper  Creeks,  a large  tribe,  numbering  together  between 
twenty  and  thirty  thousand.  To-mo-chi-chi  was  their  chief, 
and  with  his  queen  and  other  Indians  accompanied  Ogle- 
thorpe to  London.  This  alliance  of  the  Creeks  and  Chero- 
kees with  the  colonists  promised  security  from  the  approaches 
of  the  Spanish  and  French  in  Florida  and  Louisiana. 

These  treaties,  however,  were  not  considered  sufficient 
guarantees  to  the  southern  English  colonies  of  permanent 
security  and  quiet.  The  tribes  with  which  they  had  been 
negotiated  were  in  close  proximity  with  rival  nations,  and 

* Moytoy  of  Telliquo,  probably  the  modern  Tellico. 

f This  is  the  first  place  in  any  of  the  authorities  we  have  consulted,  that  Tenas- 
see  is  mentioned.  The  town,  thus  called,  was  on  the  west  bank  of  the  present 
Little  Tennessee  river,  a few  miles  above  the  mouth  of  Tellico,  and  afterwards 
gave  the  name  to  Tennessee  river  and  to  the  state. 

\ Hewitt. 

§ See  Hewitt’s  History  of  South-Carolina  for  an  account  of  this  treaty,  and  also 
the  speech  of  one  of  the  chiefs,  Skijagustah. 


48 


PROVINCIAL  MEMORIAL. 


were  easily  seduced  from  their  fidelity  to  a distant  monarch, 
by  the  machinations  of  French  emissaries  amongst  them. 
It  was,  therefore,  deemed  necessary  to  adopt  further  measures 
of  protection  and  defence  against  future  defection  and  attack. 
The  Carolinas  and  Georgia  were  now  royal  provinces.  The 
crown  had  already  granted  them  many  favours  and  indul- 
gences for  promoting  their  success  and  prosperity,  and  for 
securing  them  against  external  enemies.  What  further  fa- 
vours they  expected,  may  be  learned  from  a memorial  and 
representation  of  the  condition  of  Carolina  transmitted  to 
his  majesty,  bearing  date  April  9,  1734,  and  signed  by  the 
governor,  president  of  the  council,  and  the  speaker  of  the 
assembly.*  The  memorial,  after  enumerating  instances  of 
the  royal  care  and  protection  of  these  distant  parts  of  his 
dominion,  represents — 

“That  being  the  southern  frontier  of  all  his  American  possessions, 
they  are  peculiarly  exposed  to  danger  from  the  strong  castle  of  St. 
Augustine,  garrisoned  by  four  hundred  Spaniards,  who  have  several 
nations  of  Indians  under  their  subjection  ; that  the  French  have  erected 
a considerable  town  near  Fort  Thoulous  on  Mobile  river,  and  several 
other  forts  and  garrisons,  some  of  which  are  not  above  three  hundred 
miles  from  their  settlements,  and  that  their  possessions  upon  the  Missis- 
sippi are  strengthened  by  constant  accessions  from  Canada  ; that  their 
garrisons  and  rangers  are  producing  disaffection  to  the  English  among 
the  Indian  tribes,  one  of  which,  the  Choctaws,  consists  of  above  five 
thousand  fighting  men ; that  they  are  paving  the  way  for  an  invasion  of 
the  English  colonies,  by  the  erection  of  the  Alabama  fort  in  the  centre 
of  the  Upper  Creeks,  which  is  well  garrisoned  and  mounted  with  four- 
teen cannon,  and  which,  with  the  liberal  presents  they  are  making  to 
them,  has  overawed  and  seduced  them  from  their  allegiance  to  the  Bri- 
tish crown,  and  from  a dependence  upon  British  manufactures  for  their 
supplies.  An  expedient  is  then  proposed,  to  recover  and  confirm  the 
Indians  to  his  majesty’s  interest,  and  that  is,  by  presents  to  withdraw 
them  from  the  French  alliance,  and  by  building  forts  among  them  to 
enable  us  to  reduce  Fort  Alabama,  and  prevent  the  Cherokees  from 
joining  our  enemies  and  making  us  a prey  to  the  French  and  savages. 
The  Cherokee  nation  has  lately  become  very  insolent  to  our  traders,  and 
we  beg  leave  to  inform  your  majesty  that  the  building  and  mounting- 
some  forts  among  them  mav  keep  them  steady  in  their  fidelity  to  us, 
and  that  the  means  of  the  province  are  inadequate  to  its  defence — the 
militia  of  Carolina  and  Georgia  not  exceeding. three  thousand  five  hun- 
dred men.” 

The  results  of  this  memorial  will  be  given  at  another 


* Hewitt. 


FORT  ASSUMPTION  BUILT. 


49 


1732 


place.  In  1732,  the  country  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Win- 
chester, Virginia,  began  to  be  settled. 

Louisiana  had,  in  the  meantime,  reverted  from  the  Missis- 
sippi Company  to  the  crown  of  France  ; and  it  con- 
tinued to  be  the  policy  of  Louis  to  unite  the  extremes 
of  his  North  American  possessions  by  a cordon  of  forts 
along  the  Mississippi  river.  The  Chickasaws  had  been  an 
obstacle  to  the  accomplishment  of  this  purpose.  They  had 
resisted  the  insinuations  of  French  emissaries,  and  were 
indeed  considered  unfriendly  to  them.  It  was,  therefore, 
determined  to  subdue  them.  A joint  invasion,  carried  into 
their  country  from  opposite  directions,  by  Bienville  and  D’Ar- 
taguette,  terminated  disastrously  to  France.  A further  inva- 
sion was  projected,  and 

“In  the  last  of  June,  an  army,  composed  of  twelve  hundred  whites, 
j and  twice  that  number  of  red  and  black  men,  took  up  its  quar- 
1 ( ters  in  Fort  Assumption,  on  the  bluff  of  Memphis  ; the  re- 

cruits from  France — the  Canadians — sunk  under  the  climate.  In  the 
March  of  next  year,  a small  detachment  proceeded  towards  the  Chicka- 
saw country  ; they  were  met  by  messengers  who  supplicated  for  peace, 
and  Bienville  gladly  accepted  the  calumet.  The  fort  at  Memphis  was 
razed — the  Chickasaws  remained  the  undoubted  lords  of  their  country.”* 

From  Kaskaskia  to  Baton  Rouge  was  a wilderness,  and 
the  present  Tennessee  was  again  without  a single  civilized 
inhabitant,  two  centuries  after  Europeans  had  visited  it. 

In  this  year  there  was  a handsome  fort  at  Augusta,  where 

„ f there  was  a small  garrison  of  about  twelve  or  fifteen 
1740  1 . 

( men,  besides  officers.  The  safety  the  traders  derived 
from  this  fort,  drew  them  to  that  point.  Another  cause  of  the 
growth  of  the  place,  was  the  fertility  of  the  lands  around  it. 
The  Cherokee  Indians  marked  out  a path  from  Augusta  to 
their  nation,  so  that  horsemen  could  then  ride  from  Savan- 
nah to  all  the  Indian  nations. 


“ The  boundary  line  between  the  provinces  of  Virginia  and  North- 
Carolina  was  this  year  continued,  by  commissioners  appointed  by 
the  legislatures  of  the  respective  provinces,  to  Holstein  river, 
directly  opposite  to  a place  called  the  Steep  Rock.”f 


1749 


* Bancroft. 

t Martin.  This  is  the  first  time  that  this  tributary  of  the  Tennessee  river  is 
mentioned.  Haywood  says  it  was  called  Holston,  from  a man  of  that  name  who 
first  discovered  and  lived  upon  it. 

4 


50 


TREATY  WITH  THE  CIIEROKEES. 


The  settlements  in  Virginia  were  gradually  extended  along 
^ 1 its  beautiful  valley  in  the  direction  of  Tennessee. 

( Those  of  North-Caroli'na  had  reached  the  delightful 
country  between  the  Yadkin  and  Catawba,  and  Fort  Dobbs 
was  built  in  1750,  and  had  a small  neighbourhood  of  farmers 
and  graziers  around  it.  It  stood  near  the  Yadkin,  about 
twenty  miles  west  of  Salisbury,*  and  had  been  erected 
agreeably  to  the  stipulations  of  a treaty  held  by  Col.  Waddle 
with  Atta-Culla-Culla,  the  Little  Carpenter,  in  behalf  of  the 
Cherokees.  It  was  usually  garrisoned  by  fifty  men.  The 
Indians  paid  little  regard  to  the  treaty,  as  the  next  spring 
they  killed  some  people  near  the  Catawba. 

To  prevent  the  influence  of  the  French  among  the  Indian 
tribes,  it  became  necessary  to  build  some  forts  in  the  heart 
of  their  country.  This  policy  had  been  suggested  to  the 
crown  by  the  authorities  of  South-Carolina,  in  their  memo^ 
rial,  as  already  mentioned.  A friendly  message  was  received 
by  Governor  Glen  from  the  chief  warrior  of  the  Over-hill 
Settlements  in  the  Cherokee  nation, ‘acquainting  him  that 

“Some  Frenchmen  and  their  allies  were  among  their  people,  endea- 
vouring to  poison  their  minds,  and  that  it  would  be  necessary  to  hold  a 
general  congress  with  the  nation,  and  renew  their  former  treaties  of 
friendship.  Accordingly,  the  governor  appointed  a time  and  place  for 
holdi  ng  a treaty.” 

Governor  Glen  needed  no  argument  to  convince  him  that 
$ an  alliance  with  such  a tribe  was,  under  present  cir- 
( cumstances,  essential  to  the  security  of  South-Caro- 
lina and  her  sister  provinces,  and,  accordingly,  in  1755,  he 
met  the  Cherokee  warriors  and  chiefs  in  ttieir  own  country. 

“ After  the  usual  ceremonies  were  over,  the  governor  sat  down  under 
a spreading  tree,  and  Chulochcullaf  being  chosen  speaker  for  the  Chero- 
kee nation,  took  a seat  beside  him.  The  other  warriors,  about  five  hun- 
dred in  number,  stood  around  them  in  solemn  silence  and  deep  atten- 
tion. The  governor  then  arose  and  made  a speech  in  the  name  of  his 
king,  representing  his  great  power,  wealth  and  goodness,  and  his  particular 
regard  for  his  children,  the  Cherokees  ; and  added,  that  he  had  many 
presents  to  make  to  them,  and  expected  them,  in  return,  to  surrender  a 
share  of  their  territories,  and  demanded  lands  to  build  two  forts  upon  in 
their  country,  to  protect  them  against  their  enemies,  and  to  be  a retreat 

* Williamson. 

I Pro!  ably  Atta-Culla-Culla,  witli  whom  Col.  Waddle  of  North. Carolina  also 
formed  a treaty. 


FORT  PRINCE  GEORGE  BUILT. 


51 


to  tlieir  friends  and  allies.  He  represented  to  them  the  great  poverty 
and  wicked  designs  of  the  French,  and  hoped  they  would  permit  none 
of  them  to  enter  their  towns.*  When  the  governor  had  finished  his 
speech,  Chulocbculla  arose,  and,  holding  his  bow  in  one  hand,  his 
shaft  of  arrows  and  other  symbols  in  the  other,  spoke  to  the  following- 
effect:  ‘What  I now  speak,  our  father,  the  great  king,  should  hear.  We 
are  brothers  to  the  people  of  Carolina — one  house  covers  us  all.’  Then 
taking  a boy  bv  the  hand,  he  presented  him  to  the  governor,  saying- — 
‘ We,  our  wives  and  our  children,  are  all  children  of  the  great  King 
George.  I have  brought  this  child,  that  when  he  grows  up  he  may 
remember  our  agreement  on  this  day,  and  tell  it  to  the  next  generation, 
that  it  may  be  known  forever.’  Then,  opening  his  bag  of  earth  and 
laying  it  at  the  governor’s  feet,  said—1  We  freely  surrender  a part  of  our 
lands  to  the  great  king.  The  French  want  our  possessions,  but  we  will 
defend  them  while  one  of  our  nation  shall  remain  alive.’  Then  shew- 
ing his  bows  and  arrows,  he  added — ‘ These  are  all  the  arms  we  can 
make  for  our  defence.  We  hope  the  king  will  pity  his  children,  the 
Cherokees,  and  send  us  guns  and  ammunition.  We  fear  not  the 
French.  Give  us  arms,  and  we  will  go  to  war  against  the  enemies  of 
the  great  king.’  Then,  delivering  the  governor  a string  of  wampum  in 
confirmation  of  what  he  had  said,  he  added — ‘ My  speech  is  at  an  end ; 
it  is  the  voice  of  the  Cherokee  nation.  I hope  the  governor  will  send 
it  to  the  king,  that  it  may  be  kept  forever.’  ” 

At  this  treaty  a large  cession  of  territory  was  made  to  the 
king,  and  deeds  of  conveyance  were  formally  executed  by 
the  head  men,  in  the  name  of  the  whole  people. 

Soon  after  this  cession,  Governor  Glen  built  Fort  Prince 
George  upon  the  Savannah,  near  its  source,  and  three  hun- 
dred miles  from  Charleston,  and  within  gun-shot  of  an  Indian 
town,  called  Keowee.  It  contained  barracks  for  one  hundred 
men,  and  was  well  mounted  with  cannon,  and  designed  for 
a defence  of  the  western  frontier  of  the  province. 

The  earl  of  Loudon,  who  had  been  appointed  commander 
of  the  king’s  troops  in  America,  and  governor  of  the 
province  of  Virginia,  came  over  in  the  spring  of  this 
year.  He  sent  Andrew  Lewis  to  build  another  fort  on  Ten- 
nessee river,  on  the  southern  bank,  at  the  highest  point  of 
its  navigation,  nearly  opposite  to  the  spot  on  which  Tellico 
Block  House  has  since  been  placed,  and  about  thirty  miles 
from  the  present  town  of  Knoxville  ; the  fort  was  called,  in 

* There  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  French  at  this  time  had  trading  establish- 
ments on  the  Tennessee  river,  about  the  Muscle  Shoals,  in  close  propinquity  with 
the  Over-hill  Cherokees,  and  that  in  their  hunting,  trapping  and  trading  excur- 
sions, they  had  ascended  to  the  centre  of  East  Tennessee. 


52 


FORT  LOUDON  BUILT. 


honour  of  the  earl,  Fort  Loudon.  Lewis  informed  Governor 
Dobbs  that,  on  his  arrival  at  Chota,  he  had  received  the 
kindest  usage  from  Old  Hop,  the  Little  Carpenter,  and  that 
the  Indians  in  general  expressed  their  readiness  to  comply 
with  the  late  treaty  with  the  Virginia  commissioners  (Byrd 
and  Randolph).  They  manifested  this  disposition  while  the 
fort  was  building  ; but  when  it  was  finished,  and  they  were 
pressed  to  fulfil  their  engagements,  and  send  warriors  to 
Virginia,  they  equivocated.  Lewis  observed  that  the  French 
and  their  Indian  allies,  the  Savannahs,  kept  a regular  cor- 
respondence with  the  Cherokees,  especially  those  of  the  great 
town  ofTellico.  He  expressed  his  opinion  that  some  scheme 
was  on  foot  for  the  distress  of  the  English  back  settlers,  and 
that  the  Cherokees  greatly  inclined  to  join  the  French. 
While  he  was  at  Chota,  messengers  had  come  to  the  Little 
Carpenter,  (Atta-Culla-Culla,)  from  the  Nantowees,  the  Sa- 
vannahs, and  the  French  at  the  Alabama  fort.  He  took 
notice  that  the  object  of  the  communications  were  indus- 
triously concealed  from  him,  and  that  a great  alteration  in 
that  chief’s  behaviour  towards  him  had  ensued.  In  return, 
towards  the  latter  part  of  September,  a Frenchman,  who 
had  lived  a considerable  time  among  the  Cherokees,  accom- 
panied by  a Cherokee  woman,  who  understood  the  Shawnee 
tongue,  went  from  Chota  to  the  Alabama  fort,  and  to  the 
Savannah  Indians.  The  object  of  his  visit  to  the  French, 
was  to  press  them  for  the  accomplishment  of  a promise  the 
commander  of  the  fort  had  made,  to  send  and  have  a fort 
built  among  the  Cherokees,  near  the  town  of  Great  Tellico. 
The  communication  concluded,  by  observing  that  the  Indians 
had  expressed  a wish  that  Captain  Dennie,  (Demere  ?)  “sent 
by  the  Earl  of  Loudon,  with  a corps  of  two  hundred  men  to 
garrison  the  fort,  might  return  to  Virginia,  the  Indians  being 
displeased  at  seeing  such  a large  number  of  white  people, 
well  armed,  among  them,  expressing  a belief  that  their 
intention  was  to  destroy  any  small  force  that  might  be  sent, 
in  order  to  take  the  fort  and  surrender  it  to  the  French.  On 
this  information,  Captain  Hugh  Waddle  was  sent  with  a 
small  force  to  reinforce  Captain  Dennie.”* 

* Martin. 


LONG  ISLAND  FORT  BUILT. 


53 


Fort  Loudon  was  then  estimated  to  be  five  hundred  miles 
from  Charleston,  and  Hewitt  remarks,  that  it  was  a place  to 
which  it  was  very  difficult  at  all  times,  but,  in  case  of  a war 
with  the  Cherokees,  utterly  impracticable,  to  convey  neces- 
sary supplies.  Prince  George  and  Loudon  were  garrisoned 
by  the  king’s  independent  companies  of  infantry  stationed 
there.  “ The  Indians  invited  artizans  into  Fort  Loudon  by 
donations  of  land,  which  they  caused  to  be  signed  by  their 
own  chief,  and,  in  one  instance,  by  Governor  Dobbs  of  North- 
Carolina.”*  “ These  strongholds  were  garrisoned  by  troops 
from  Britain  ; and  the  establishment  of  these  defences  in  the 
interior,  led  to  the  rapid  accumulation  of  settlers  in  all  the 
choice  places  in  their  neighbourhood. ”f  Loudon  is  remarka- 
ble as  being  the  first  fort  or  other  structure  erected  in  Ten- 
nessee by  Anglo-Americans. J 

The  continued  possession  of  Fort  Du  Quesne  enabled  the 
French  to  preserve  their  ascendancy  over  the  Indians,  and 
to  hold  undisturbed  control  over  almost  the  entire  country 
west  of  the  Alleghany  mountains.  The  spirit  of  Britain  rose 
in  full  proportion  to  the  occasion,  and  Mr.  Pitt,  in  a circular 
letter  to  the  colonial  governors,  promised  to  send  a large 
force  to  America  to  operate  by  sea  and  land  against  the 
French,  and  called  upon  them  to  raise  troops  to  assist  in  that 
measure.  In  furtherance  of  that  object,  Virginia,  pushing 
her  settlements  south-west,  and  guarding  and  protecting 
them,  as  they  advanced,  by  forts  and  garrisons,  had  built 
Fort  Lewis  near  the  present  village  of  Salem,  in  Bottetourt 
county.  In  1758,  Col.  Bird,  in  pursuit  of  the  French  and 
Indians,  who  had  recently  taken  Vaux’s  Fort  on  Roanoke, 
marched  his  regiment,  and  built  Fort  Chissel  and  stationed 
a garrison  in  it.  It  stood  a few  miles  from  New  river,  near 
the  road  leading  from  what  is  since  known  as  Inglis’  Ferry. 

Col.  Bird  continued  his  expedition  further,  and  erected  an- 
other fort,  in  the  autumn  of  this  year,  on  the  north  bank  of 
Holston,  nearly  opposite  to  the  upper  end  of  the  Long  Island, 
now  the  property  of  Col.  Netherland.  It  was  situated  upon 

* Haywood.  f Simms. 

| In  Haywood,  the  time  of  its  erection  is  giveD  in  1757.  I have  chosen  to  fol- 
low Hewitt,  who  wrote  in  1779,  and  gives  it  as  it  is  in  the  text,  1756. 


54 


FORT  LOUDON  THREATENED. 


a beautiful  level,  and  was  built  upon  a large  plan,  with  pro- 
per bastions,  and  the  wall  thick  enough  to  stop  the  force  of 
small  cannon  shot.  The  gates  were  spiked  with  large  nails, 
so  that  the  wood  was  all  covered.  The  army  wintered  there 
in  the  winter  of  1758.  The  line  between  Virginia  and 
Norfh-Carolina  had  not  then  been  extended  beyond  the  Steep 
Rock.  Long  Island  Fort  was  believed  to  be  upon  the  terri- 
tory of  the  former,  but  as  it  is  south  of  her  line,  the  Virgi- 
nians have  the  honour  of  having  erected  the  second  Anglo- 
American  fort  within  the  boundaries  of  Tennessee. 

In  the  spring  of  1758,  the  garrison  of  Fort  Loudon  was 
augmented  to  two  hundred  men.  In  a few  months,  by  the 
arrival  of  traders  and  hunters,  it  grew  into  a thriving 
tillage. 

In  the  meantime,  the  French  garrison  at  Fort  Du  Quesne, 
^ deserted  by  their  Indian  allies,  and  unequal  to  the 
( maintenance  of  the  place  against  the  army  of  Gene- 
ral Forbes  that  approached  it,  abandoned  the  fort,  and  es- 
caped in  boats  down  the  Ohio.  The  English  took  posses- 
sion of  it,  and,  in  compliment  to  the  popular  minister,  called 
it  Pittsburg.  In  the  army  of  Forbes  were  several  Cherokees, 
who  had  accompanied  the  provincial  troops  of  North  and 
South-Carolina. 

“ The  capture  of  Fort  Du  Quesne,  though  a brilliant  termination  of 
the  several  campaigns  so  successfully  prosecuted  from  the  northern  colo- 
nies against  the  French,  was  followed  by  disastrous  consequences  as  to 
the  frontier  settlements  in  the  south.  The  scene  of  action  was  only 
changed  from  one  place  to  another,  and  the  baneful  influence  of  those 
active  and  enterprising  enemies  that  had  descended  the  Ohio,  soon 
manifested  itself  in  a more  concentrated  form  among  the  Upper  Chero- 
kees ; the  interior  position  of  whose  country  furnished  facilities  of  imme- 
diate and  frequent  intercourse  with  the  defeated  and  exasperated  French- 
men, who  now  ascended  the  Tennessee  river  and  penetrated  to  their 
mountain  fastnesses.  An  unfortunate  quarrel  with  the  Virginians  helped 
to  forward  their  intrigues,  and  opened  an  easier  access  into  the  towns  of 
the  savages.  The  Cherokees,  as  before  remarked,  had,  agreeably  to 
their  treaties,  sent  a number  of  their  warriors  to  assist  in  the  reduction 
of  Du  Quesne.  Returning  home  through  the  back  parts  of  Viriginia, 
some  of  them,  who  had  lost  their  horses  on  the  expedition,  laid  hold  on 
such  as  they  found  running  at  large,  and  appropriated  them.  The  Vir- 
ginians resented  the  injury  by  killing  twelve  or  fourteen  of  the  unsus- 
pecting warriors,  and  taking  several  more  prisoners.  This,  ungrateful 
conduct,  from  allies  whose  frontiers  they  had  defended  and  recovered, 


PORT  PRINCE  GEORGE  ATTACKED. 


55 


aroused  at  once  a spirit  of  deep  resentment  and  deadly  retaliation.”  * 

* * “The  flame  soon  spread  through  the  upper  towns.  The  garri- 

son of  Fort  Loudon,  consisting  of  about  two  hundred  men,  under  the 
command  of  Captains  Demere  and  Stuart,  was,  from  its  remote  position 
from  the  white  settlements,  the  first  to  notice  the  disaffection  of  the 
Indians,  and  to  suffer  from  it.  The  soldiers,  as  usual,  making  excur- 
sions into  the  woods,  to  procure  fresh  provisions,  were  attacked  by  them, 
and  some  of  them  were  killed.  From  this  time  such  dangers  threat- 
ened the  garrison,  that  every  one  was  confined  within  the  small  bounda- 
ries of  the  fort.”f  * * * “ All  communication  with  the  settle- 

ments across  the  mountains,  from  which  they  received  supplies,  was  cut 
off,  and  the  soldiers,  having  no  other  sources  from  which  provisions 
could  be  obtained,  had  no  prospect  left  them  but  famine  or  death..  Par- 
ties of  the  young  warriors  rushed  down  upon  the  frontier  settlements, 
and  the  work  of  massacre  became  general  along  the  borders  of  Caro- 
lina.”! * * * “ Governor  Lyttleton,  receiving  intelligence  of  these 

outrages,  prepared  to  chastise  the  enemy,  and  summoned  the  militia  of 
the  province  to  assemble  at  Congaree.”  * * * “A  treaty  was 

made  afterwards,  signed  by  the  governor  and  ouly  six  of  the  head  men  ; 
in  this,  it  was  agreed  that  the  twenty-two  chieftains  should  be  kept  as 
hostages,  confined  in  Fort  Prince  George,  until  the  same  number  of 
Indians,  guilty  of  murder,  should  be  delivered  up,  and  that  the  Chero- 
kees  should  kill  or  take  prisoner  every  Frenchman  that  should  presume 
to  come  into  the  nation.”§ 

The  treaty,  however,  illy  expressed  the  sentiment  of  the 
tribe.  And,  immediately  after  the  return  of  the  governor 
and  the  dispersion  of  his  army  from  Fort  Prince  George, 
hostilities  were  renewed,  and  fourteen  whites  were  killed 
within  a mile  of  the  fort.  Under  a pretence  of  procuring  a 
release  of  the  hostages,  Oconostota  approached  and 
surprised  the  fort,  and  faithlessly  fired  upon  and  killed 
its  officers.  Exasperated  to  madness  by  this  outrage,  the 
garrison  fell  upon  the  hostages,  and  killed  them  to  a man. 
This  was  followed  by  a general  invasion  of  the  frontier  of 
Carolina,  and  an  indiscriminate  butchery  of  men,  women 
and  children. 

f Hewitt.  f Simms. 

§ Colonel,  afterwards  General,  Sumpter,  accompanied  Oconostota  and  liis 
Cherokee  delegation  on  their  visit  to  Charlestown.  Returning  with  that  distin- 
guished chief  to  the  seat  of  his  empire,  he  there  found  among  the  Indians  one 
Baron  Des  Johnnes,..a  French  Canadian,  who  spoke  seven  of  the  Indian  lan- 
guages. Sumpter,  suspecting  the  baron  of  being  an  incendiary  sent  to  excite 
the  several  tribes  to  hostility  against  their  white  neighbours,  with  characteristic 
resolution  arrested  him ; taking  him  single-handed,  in  spite  of  the  opposition  of 
the  Indians,  and,  at  much  personal  risk,  carrying  him  prisoner  to  Fort  Prince 
George.  Des  Johnnes  was  afterwards  sent  to  Charleston,  where  he  was  exam- 
ined, and  though  not  proved  guilty,  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  send  him  to  Eng- 
land. 


5G 


ARMY  UNDER  COLONEL  MONTGOMERY. 


Prompt  measures  were  adopted  to  restrain  and  punish 
these  excesses.  Application  was  made  to  the  neighbouring 
provinces,  North-Carolina  and  Virginia,  for  assistance,  and 
seven  troops  of  rangers  were  raised  to  patrol  the  frontiers, 
and  the  best  preparation  possible  was  made  for  chastising 
the  enemy,  so  soon  as  the  regulars  coming  from  the  north 
should  arrive.  Before  the  end  of  April,  1760,  Colonel  Mont- 
gomery landed  with  his  troops,  and,  being  joined  by  several 
volunteer  companies,  hastened  to  the  rendezvous  at  Conga- 
rees,  where  he  was  met  by  the  whole  strength  of  the  pro- 
vince, and  immediately  set  out  for  the  Cherokee  country. 
His  march  was  spirited  and  expeditious.  Little  Keowee 
was  surprised  by  a night  attack,  and  every  warrior  in  it  put 
to  the  sword.  Estatoe  was  reduced  to  ashes.  Sugaw  Town, 
and  every  other  settlement  in  the  lower  nation,  suffered  the 
same  fate. 

“ Montgomery,  after  the  loss  of  but  four  men,  advanced  to  the  relief 
of  Fort  Prince  George,  which  had  been  for  some  time  invested  by  the 
savages.  From  this  place  a message  was  sent  to  the  Middle  Settle- 
ments, inviting  the  Cherokees  to  sue  for  peace,  and  also  to  Captains 
Demere  and  Stuart,  the  commanding  officers  at  Fort  Loudon,  request- 
ing them  to  obtain  peace  with  the  Upper  Towns.  Finding  the  enemy 
not  disposed  to  listen  to  terms  of  accommodation,  he  determined  to 
penetrate  through  the  dismal  wilderness  between  him  and  the  Middle 
Towns.”  * * * “Captain  Morrison’s  rangers  had  scarcely  entered 

the  valley  near  Etchoe,  when  the  savages  sprang  from  their  lurking  den, 
fired  upon  and  killed  the  captain,  and  wounded  a number  of  his  men. 
A heavy  fire  began  on  both  sides.  The  battle  continued  above  an  hour. 
Colonel  Montgomery  lost  in  the  engagement  twenty  men,  and  had 
seventy-six  wounded.  The  Indians,  it  is  believed,  lost  more.  But  the 
repulse  was  far  from  being  decisive,  and  Colonel  Montgomery,  finding 
it  impracticable  to  penetrate  the  woods  further  with  his  wounded  men, 
returned  to  Fort  Prince  George  with  his  army,  and  soon  after  departed 
for  New-York. 

“In  the  meantime,  the  distant  garrison  of  Fort  Loudon,  consisting 
of  two  hundred  men,  was  reduced  to  the  dreadful  alternative  of  per- 
ishing by  hunger  or  submitting  to  the  mercy  of  the  enraged  Cherokees. 
The  Governor  of  South-Carolina  hearing  that  the  Virginians  had  under- 
taken to  relieve  it,  for  a while  seemed  satisfied,  and  anxiously  waited  to 
hear  the  news  of  that  happy  event.  But  they,  like  the  Carolinians,  were 
unable  to  send  them  assistance.  So  remote  was  the  fort  from  any 
settlement,  and  so  difficult  was  it  to  march  an  army  through  the  barren 
wilderness,  where  every  thicket  concealed  an  enemy,  and  to  carry,  at  the 
same  time,  sufficient  supplies  along  with  them,  that  the  Virginians  had 


SURRENDER  OF  FORT  LOUDON. 


57 


dropped  all  thoughts  of  the  attempt.  Provisions  being  entirely  ex- 
hausted at  Fort  Loudon,  the  garrison  was  upon  the  point  of  starving. 
For  a whole  month  they  had  no  other  subsistence  than  the  flesh  of  lean 
horses  and  dogs,  and  a small  supply  of  Indian  beans,  procured  stealthily 
for  them  by  some  friendly  Cherokee  women.  The  officers  had  long 
endeavoured  to  animate  and  encourage  the  men  with  the  hope  of  suc- 
cour ; but  now,  being  blockaded  night  and  day  by  the  enemy,  and  having 
no  resource  left,  they  threatened  to  leave  the  fort,  and  die  at  once  by 
the  hands  of  savages,  rather  than  perish  slowly  by  famine.  In  this  ex- 
tremity, the  commander  was  obliged  to  call  a council  of  war  to  consider 
what  was  proper  to  be  done  ; when  the  officers  were  all  of  opinion,  that 
it  was  impossible  to  hold  out  longer,  and  therefore  agreed  to  surrender 
the  fort  to  the  Cherokees,  on  the  best  terms  that  could  be  obtained  from 
them.  For  this  purpose  Captain  Stuart,  an  officer  of  great  sagacity  and 
address,  and  much  beloved  by  those  of  the  Indians  who  remained  in  the 
British  interest,  procured  leave  to  go  to  Chota,  one  of  the  principal 
towns  in  the  neighbourhood,  where  he  obtained  the  following  terms  of 
capitulation,  which  were  signed  by  the  commanding  officer  and  two  of 
the  Cherokee  chiefs.  ‘ That  the  garrison  of  Fort  Loudon  march  out 
with  their  arms  and  drums,  each  soldier  having  as  much  powder  and  ball 
as  their  officer  shall  think  necessary  for  the  march,  and  all  the  bag- 
gage they  may  choose  to  carry;  that  the  garrison  be  permitted  to  march 
to  Virginia  or  Fort  Prince  George,  as  the  commanding  officer  shall  think 
proper,  unmolested ; and  that  a number  of  Indians  be  appointed  to 
escort  them,  and  hunt  for  provisions  during  the  march ; that  such  sol- 
diers as  are  lame,  or  by  sickness  disabled  from  marching,  be  received 
into  the  Indian  towns,  and  kindly  used  until  they  recover,  and  then  be 
allowed  to  return  to  Fort  Prince  George;  that  the  Indians  do  provide  for 
the  garrison  as  many  horses  as  they  conveniently  can  for  their  march, 
agreeing  with  the  officers  and  soldiers  for  payment ; that  the  fort,  great 
guns,  powder,  ball  and  spare  arms,  be  delivered  to  the  Indians  without 
fraud  or  further  delay,  on  the  day  appointed  for  the  march  of  the 
troops.’* 

“ Agreeable  to  this  stipulation,  the  garrison  delivered  up  the  fort,  and 
marched  out  with  their  arms,  accompanied  by  Oconostota,  Judd’s 
friend,  the  prince  of  Chota,  and  several  other  Indians,  and  that  day  went 

* Great  guns.  Of  these  there  were  twelve.  It  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  the 
cannon  of  Fort  Loudon,  in  1756,  had  been  transported  to  a point  so  interior  and 
inaccesible.  A wagon  had  not  then  passed  the  head  of  Holston,  and  not  till  the 
autumn  of  1776  had  one  come  as  low  down  that  stream  as  the  Long  Island,  with 
provisions  for  the  supply  of  Fort  Patrick  Henry.  Artillery  could  not  have  been 
brought  down  the  Ohio  and  up  the  Tennessee,  for  after  the  loss  of  Du  Quesne  the 
French  still  held  undisturbed  possession  of  the  rivers  below.  The  cannon  at  Lou- 
don were  most  probably  taken  there  across  the  mountain  from  Augusta  or  Fort 
Prince  George  when  reinforcements  were  sent  to  its  relief.  In  this  case  the  trans- 
portation of  the  great  guns  must  have  been  made  aloDg  a narrow  mountain  trace 
upon  pack  horses — requiring  in  the  more  difficult  gorges  even  yet  found  in  the  in- 
tervening country,  the  assistance  of  the  soldiers.  It  is  barely  possible  that  these 
cannon  may  have  been  brought  from  Fort  Lewis  or  Fort  Chissel,  to  the  head  waters 
of  Holston,  and  carried  down  that  stream,  and  up  the  Little  Tennessee  to  Loudon. 
There  is  no  tradition  on  the  subject  in  Tennessee. 


58 


MASSACRE  OF  THE  GARRISON. 


fifteen  miles  on  their  way  to  Fort  Prince  George.  At  night  they  en- 
camped upon  a plain  about  two  miles  from  Taliquo,  an  Indian  town, 
when  all  their  attendants,  upon  one  pretence  or  another,  left  them ; 
which  the  officers  considered  as  no  good  sign,  and  therefore  jflaced  a 
strict  guard  around  their  camp.  During  the  night  they  remained  un- 
molested, but  next  morning  about  break  of  day,  a soldier  from  an  out- 
post came  running  in,  and  informed  them  that  he  saw  a vast  number  of 
Indians,  armed  and  painted  in  the  most  dreadful  manner,  creeping 
among  the  bushes,  and  advancing  in  order  to  surround  them.  Scarcely 
had  the  officer  time  to  order  his  men  to  stand  to  their  arms,  when  the 
savages  poured  in  upon  them  a heavy  fire  from  different  quarters,  ac- 
companied with  the  most  hideous  yells,  which  struck  a panic  into  the 
soldiers,  who  were  so  much  enfeebled  and  dispirited  that  they  were  in- 
capable of  making  any  effectual  resistance. . Captain  Demere,  with  threp 
other  officers,  apcl  about  twenty-six  privates,  fell  at  the  first  onset.  Some 
fled  into  the  woods,  and  were  afterwards  taken  prisoners  and  confined 
among  the  towns  in  the  valley.  Captain  Stuart  and  those  that  remained, 
were  seized,  pinioned,  and  brought  back  to  Fort  Loudon.  No  sooner 
had  Attakullakulla  heard  that  his  friend  Mr.  Stuart  had  escaped,  than 
he  hastened  to  the  fort,  and  purchased  him  from  the  Indian  that  took 
him,  giving  him  his  rifle,  clothes,  and  all  he  could  command  by  way  of 
ransom.  He  then  took  possession  of  Captain  Demere’s  house,  where  he 
kept  his  prisoner  as  one  of  his  family,  and  freely  shared  with  him  the 
little  provisions  his  table  afforded,  until  a fair  opportunity  should  offer 
for  rescuing  him  from 'the  hands  of  the  savages  ; but  the  poor  soldiers 
were  kept  in  a miserable  state  of  captivity  for  some  time,  and  then  re- 
deemed by  the  province  at  great  expense. 

“ While  the  prisoners  were  confined  at  Fort  Loudon,  Oconostota 
formed  the  design  of  attacking  Fort  Prince  George.  To  this  bold  under- 
taking he  was  the  more  encouraged,  as  the  cannon  and  ammunition  sur- 
rendered by  the  garrison  would,  under  the  direction  of  French  officers 
who  were  near  him,  secure  its  success.  Messengers  were  therefore  dis- 
patched to  the  valley  towns,  requesting  their  warriors  to  meet  him  at 
Stickoee. 

“ By  accident  a discovery  was  made  of  ten  bags  of  powder,  and  a 
large  quantity  of  ball  that  had  been  secretly  buried  in  the  fort,  to  pre- 
vent their  falling  into  the  enemy’s  hands.  This  discovery  had  nearly 
proved  fatal  to  Captain  Stuart ; but  the  interpreter  had  such  presence 
of  mind  as  to  assure  the  incensed  savages  that  these  warlike  stores 
were  concealed  without.  Stuart’s  knowledge  or  consent.  The  supply  of 
ammunition  being  sufficient  for  the  siege,  a council  was  held  at 
Chota,  to  which  the  captive  Stuart  was  taken.  Here  he  was  reminded 
of  the  obligations  he  was  under  for  having  his  life  spared,  and  as  they 
had  determined  to  take  six  cannon  and  two  cohorns  against  Prince 
George,  the  Indians  told  him  he  must  accompany  the  expedition — man- 
age the  artillery  and  write  such  letters  to  the  commandant  as  they 
should  dictate  to  him.  They  further  informed  him  that  if  that  officer 
should  refuse  to  surrender,  they  had  determined  to  burn  the  prisoners 
one  by  one  before  his  face,  and  try  whether  he  could  be  so  obstinate  as 
to  hold  out  while  his  friends  were  expiring  in  the  flames. 


ESCAPE  OP  CAPTAIN  STUART. 


59 


“ Captain  Stuart  was  much:  alarmed  at  his  present  situation , and  from 
that  moment  resolved  to  make  his  escape  or  perish  in  the  attempt.  He 
privately  communicated  his  design  to  Attakullakulla  and  told  him  that 
the  thought  of  hearing-  arms  against  his  countrymen  harrowed  his  feel- 
ings, and  he  invoked  his  assistance  to  accomplish  his  release.  The  old 
warrior  took  him  by  the  hand — told  him  he  was  his  friend,  and  was 
fully  apprised  of  the  designs  of  his  countrymen,  and  pledged  his  efforts 
to  deliver  him  from  danger.  Attakullakulla  claimed  Captain  Stuart  as 
his  prisoner,  and  resorted  to  stratagem  to  rescue  him.  He  told  the 
other  Indians  that  he  intended  to  go  a hunting  for  a few  days,  and  to 
take  his  prisoner  with  him.  Accordingly  the}7  departed,  accompanied 
by  the  warrior’s  wife,  his  brother  and  two  soldiers.  The  distance  to  the 
frontier  settlements  was  great,  and  the  utmost  expedition  was  necessary 
to  prevent  surprise  from  Indians  pursuing  them.  Nine  days  and  nights 
did  they  travel  through  a dreary  wilderness,  shaping  their  course  by  the 
sun  and  moon  for  Virginia.  On  the  tenth  they  arrived  at  the  banks  of 
Holston’s  river,  where  they  fortunately  fell  in  with  a party  of  three 
hundred  men,  sent  out  by  Colonel  Bird  for  the  relief  of  Fort  Loudon. 
On  the  fourteenth  day  the  captain  reached  Colonel  Bird’s  camp  on  the 
frontiers  of  Virginia.  His  faithful  friend,  Attakullakulla,  was  here  loaded 
with  presents  and  provisions,  and  sent  back  to  protect  the  unhappy  pris- 
oners till  they  should  be  ransomed,  and  to  exert  his  influence  with  the 
Cherokees  for  the  restoration  of  peace.” 

After  Captain  Stuart’s  escape,  he  lost  no  time  in  concert- 
ing measures  of  relief  to  his  garrison.  An  express  was  at 
once  forwarded  to  the  Governor  of  South-Carolina  to  inform 
him  of  the  disaster  at  Fort  Loudon,  and  of  the  designs  of  the 
enemy  against  Fort  Prince  George.  The  prisoners  that  had 
survived  the  hardships  of  hunger,  disease  and  captivity,  at 
Loudon,  were  ransomed  and  delivered  up  to  the  commanding 
officer  at  Fort  Prince  George. 

This  account  of  the  siege  and  capitulation  of  Fort  Loudon, 
and  of  the  attack  upon  the  retiring  garrison,  has  been  copied 
or  condensed  from  “ Hewitt’s  Historical  Account  of  South- 
Carolina  and  Georgia,”  as  republished  in  the  valuable  his- 
torical collection  of  Carroll.  ■ Being  written  in  1779,  soon 
after  the  transactions  which  it  relates  took  place,  Hewitt’s 
work  is  considered  authentic,  and  may  be  fully  relied  on 
as  being  generally  correct.  Still  in  some  of  the  details  other 
historians  differ  from  him.  One  of  them  gives  another  ver- 
sion of  the  assault  upon  the  camp  the  morning  after  the 
evacuation  of  the  fort.  Haywood  says:  “At  this  place, 
about  day-break,  the  Indians  fell  upon  and  destroyed  the 
whole  troop,  men,  women  and  children,  except  three  men, 


60 


ASSOCIATIONS  CONNECTED  WITH  LOUDON. 


Jack,  Stuart  and  Thomas,  who  were  saved  by  the  friendly 
exertions  of  the  Indian  chief  called  the  Little  Carpenter;  ex- 
cept also,  six  men,  who  were  in  the  advance  guard,  and  who 
escaped  into  the  white  settlements.”  # * * “ It  is  said 

that  between  two  and  three  hundred  men,  besides  women 
and  children,  perished  in  this  massacre.  The  Indians  made 
a fence  of  their  bones,  but  after  the  war  they  were,  by  the 
advice  of  Oconostota,  King  of  the  Over-hill  Cherokees,  removed 
and  buried,  for  fear  of  stirring  afresh  the  hostility  of  the 
English  traders,  who  began  again  to  visit  them.”  Such,  too, 
has  been  the  prevalent  tradition. 

In  addition  to  the  concealment  within  the  fort  of  the  am- 
munition, as  already  related,  Haywood  mentions  that  the 
garrison  threw  their  cannon,  with  their  small  arms  and  am- 
munition, into  the  river.  After  the  close  of  the  war  the 
Cherokees  excused  their  perfidy  in  violating  the  terms  of  the 
capitulation,  and  their  barbarous  massacre  of  the  garrison, 
by  imputing  bad  faith  on  the  part  of  the  whites  in  hiding  the 
warlike  stores  surrendered  with  the  fort. 

Associations  connected  with  Loudon  as  the  first  English 
fort  erected  within  the  State  of  Tennessee,  the  mournful  fate 
of  its  garrison,  and  the  tragic  issue  of  the  earliest  Anglo- 
American  settlement  planted  upon  our  soil,  have  invested  the 
history  of  O/d  Fort  Loudon  with  a romantic  and  melancholy 
interest — one  that  may  be  deemed  elsewhere  disproportioned 
to  its  real  importance.  But  the  writer  persuades  himself 
that  the  tediousness  of  the  preceding  details — scarcely  in 
consonance  with  the  object  of  these  annals — will  be  excused, 
when  it  is  considered,  that  hereafter  no  opportunity  will 
present  itself  =of  again  recording  the  surrender  of  a fort  or 
the  capture  and  massacre  of  a garrison.  In  the  narration  of 
the  events  upon  which  he  will  soon  enter,  it  will  be  the 
grateful  duty  of  the  annalist  to  show,  that  in  all  their  border 
conflicts,  in  their  wild  adventures  into  the  wilderness,  in 
their  frequent  invasions  of  neighbouring  tribes,  in  their  glo- 
rious participation  in  the  struggle  for  independence  and  free- 
dom, in  all  their  wars  with  European  or  American  enemies, 
the  sons  of  Tennessee  have  every  where  achieved  success, 
triumph,  victory,  conquest  and  glory. 


GRANT  CONQUERS  AT  ETCHOE. 


61 


The  indecisive  battle  at  Etchoe  and  the  catastrophe  in  the 
valley  of  the  Tennessee,  served  only  to  stimulate  Cherokee 
aggression  ; and  Canada  being  now  reduced,  an  adequate 
force  was  at  once  sent  from  the  north  for  the  defence  of  the 
southern  provinces.  Col.  Grant,  early  in  1761,  arrived  in 
Charleston  with  the  British  regular  troops.  A provincial 
regiment  had  been  raised,  and  it  accompanied  the  army  to 
the  Cherokee  country.  Among  its  field  officers  were  Mid- 
dleton, Laurens,  Moultrie,  Marion,  Huger  and  Pickens — after- 
wards so  highly  distinguished  in  the  service  of  the  country. 
The  army  arrived  at  Fort  Prince  George  on  the  27th  of  May. 
Attakullakulla  hearing  that  a formidable  army  approached 
his  nation,  hastened  to  the  camp  of  Col.  Grant  and  proposed 

^ 1 terms  of  accommodation.  But  it  was  known  that  the 
I temper  of  his  countrymen  was  averse  to  peace,  and  his 
proposals  received  no  encouragement. 

“ The  Cherokees  encountered  Grant,  with  all  their  strength,  near  the 
town  of  Etchoe,  on  the  spot  where  they  had  fought  with  Montgomery 
in  the  previous  campaign.  For  three  hours  did  the  engagement  con- 
tinue, until  the  persevering  valour  of  the  whites  succeeded  in  expelling 
the  Indians  from  the  field.  ******  Their  granaries  and 
corn  fields  were  destroyed,  and  their  miserable  families  driven  to  the 
barren  mountains.  The  national  spirit  was,  for  a while,  subdued,  and 
they  humbly  sued  for  peace,  through  the  medium  of  the  old  and 
friendly  chief,  Attakullakulla.  ‘ I am  come,’  said  the  venerable  chief, 
‘to  see  what  can  be  done  for  my  people,  who  are  in  great  distress.’ 
His  prayer  was  granted,  peace,  was  ratified  between  the  parties,  and  the 
end  of  this  bloody  war,  which  was  supposed  to  have  originated  in  the 
machinations  of  French  emissaries,  was  among  the  last  humbling  blows 
given  to  the  expiring  power  of  France  in  North  America. 

“ The  peace  which  followed  this  victory  over  the  Cherokees,  and  the 
expulsion  of  the  French  and  Spaniards  from  the  borders  of  the  southern 
provinces,  brought  with  it  a remarkable  increase  of  population  and 
prosperity.  Multitudes  of  emigrants  from  Europe  and  the  middle 
provinces  came  out  in  rapid  succession  to  the  interior,  and  pursuing  the 
devious  progress  of  the  streams,  sought  out  their  sources,  and  planted 
their  little  settlements  on  the  sides  of  lofty  hills,  or  in  the  bosom  of 
lovely  vallies.”* 

Emigrants  from  Ireland  sought  the  wilds  of  America, 
through  two  avenues.  The  one  by  the  Delaware  Bay,  whose 
chief  port  was  Philadelphia — the  other  by  a more  southern 
landing  — the  port  of  Charleston.  Those  landing  at  the 


* Simms. 


G2 


TENNESSEE  STILL  UNSETTLED,  AND 


latter  place,  immediately  sought  the  fertile  forests  of  the 
upper  Carolinas,  where  they  met  a counter  tide  of  emigra- 
tion. Those  who  landed  on  the  Delaware,  after  the  desira- 
ble lands,  east  of  the  Alleghanies,  in  Pennsylvania,  were 
occupied,  turned  their  course  southward,  and  soon  meeting 
the  southern  tide,  the  stream  turned  westward  to  the  wilder- 
ness long  known  as  “ the  backwoods,  or  beyond  the  moun- 
tains,” now  as  Tennessee.  These  two  streams  from  the 
same  original  fountain — Ireland — meeting  and  intermingling 
in  the  new  soil,  preserve  the  characteristic  difference;  the 
one  possessing  much  of  the  air  and  manner  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  the  other  of  Charleston.* 

But,  as  yet,  Tennessee  was  a desert  and  a wilderness.  The 
Adelantado  of  Cuba  and  his  proud  cavaliers  had,  indeed, 
looked  upon  its  south-western  angle,  but  resisted  with 
unyielding  spirit  by  the  aboriginal  inhabitants,  the  chivalry 
of  Spain  were  driven  across  its  western  boundary,  and  glad 
to  escape  savage  resentment  for  their  daring  invasion,  buried 
themselves  in  the  solitudes  beyond  it.  At  a later  period,  La 
Salle  and  his  voyageurs  had  coasted  along  the  shores  of  the 
great  mediterranean  of  the  west,  and  claimed  for  the  mon- 
arch of  France  the  magnificent  valley  watered  by  its  tribu- 
taries; and  Marquette,  in  his  pious  zeal  for  his  church,  had 
attempted  the  conversion  of  the  natives  from  heathenism 
and  barbarity  to  the  worship  of  the  God  of  Heaven.  Later 
still,  England  and  her  colonies  had  penetrated  far  into  the 
western  wilds,  and  erected  a fort  and  planted  an  infant  set- 
tlement upon  the  distant  banks  of  the  Tennessee.  But  the 
efforts  of  Spain,  of  France,  and  of  England,  had  been  alike 
unsuccessful  in  founding,  upon  the  soil  of  Tennessee,  a per- 
manent establishment  of  civilized  man.  The  colonists  of 
the  Carolinas  and  of  Virginia  had  been  steadily  advancing 
to  the  west,  and  we  have  traced  their  approaches  in  the 
direction  of  our  eastern  boundary,  to  the  base  of  the  great 
Apalachian  range.  Of  the  country  beyond  it,  little  was 
positively  known  or  accurately  understood.  A wandering 
Indian  would  imperfectly  delineate  upon  the  sand,  a feeble 


* Foote. 


TS  VISITED  BY  TRADERS. 


63 


outline  of  its  more  prominent  physical  features — its  magnifi- 
cent rivers,  with  their  numerous  tributaries — its  lofty  moun- 
tains, its  dark  forests,  its  extended  plains  and  its  vast  extent. 
A voyage  in  a canoe,  from  the  source  of  the  Hogohegee*  to 
the  Wabash, f required  for  its  performance,  in  their  figurative 
language,  “two  paddles,  two  warriors,  three  moons.”  The 
Ohio  itself  was  but  a tributary  of  a still  larger  river,  of 
whose  source,  size  and  direction,  no  intelligible  account 
could  be  communicated  or  understood.  The  Muscle  Shoals 
and  the  obstructions  in  the  river  above  them,  were  repre- 
sented as  mighty  cataracts  and  fearful  whirlpools,  and  the 
Suck,  as  an  awful  vortex.  The  wild  beasts  with  which  the 
illimitable  forests  abounded,  were  numbered  by  pointing 
to  the  leaves  upon  the  trees,  or  the  stars  in  a cloudless 
sky. 

These  glowing  descriptions  of  the  west  seemed  rather  to 
stimulate  than  to  satisfy  the  intense  curiosity  of  the  approach- 
ing settlers.  Information  more  reliable,  and  more  minute, 
was,  from  time  to  time,  furnished  from  other  sources.  In  the 
Atlantic  cities,  accounts  had  been  received  from  French  and 
Spanish  traders,  of  the  unaparalleled  beauty  and  fertility  of 
the  western  interior.  These  reports,  highly  coloured  and 
amplified,  were  soon  received  and  known  upon  the  frontier. 
Besides,  persons  engaged  in  the  interior  traffic  with  the  south- 
western Indian  tribes  had,  in  times  of  peace,  penetrated 
their  territories  — traded  with  and  resided  amongst  the 
natives — and  upon  their  return  to  the  white  settlements,  con- 
firmed what  had  been  previously  reported  in  favour  of  the 
distant  countries  they  had  seen.  As  early  as  1690,  Doherty, 
a trader  from  Virginia,  had  visited  the  Cherokees,  and  after- 
wards lived  among  them  a number  of  years.  In  1730.  Adair, 
from  South-Carolina,  had  travelled,  not  only  through  the 
towns  of  this  tribe,  but  had  extended  his  tour  to  most  of  the 
nations  south  and  west  of  them.  He  was  not  only  an  enter- 
prising trader,  but  an  intelligent  tourist.  To  his  observa- 
tions upon  the  several  tribes  which  he  visited,  we  are 
indebted  for  most  that  is  known  of  their  earlier  history. 
Thejr  were  published  in  London  in  1775. 

* Holston,  t The  Ohio  was  known  many  years  by  this  name. 


64 


TRAFFIC  WITH  INDIANS 


In  1740  other  traders  went  among  the  Cherokees  from 
Virginia.  They  employed  Mr.  Vaughan  as  a packman,  to 
transport  their  goods.  West  of  Amelia  county,  the  country 
was  then  thinly  inhabited ; the  last  hunter’s  cabin  that  he 
saw  was  on  Otter  river,  a branch  of  the  Staunton,  now  in 
Bedford  county,  Va.  The  route  pursued  was  along  the  Great 
Path,  to  the  centre  of  the  Cherokee  nation.  The  traders  and 
packmen  generally  confined  themselves  to  this  path  till  it 
crossed  the  Little  Tennessee  river,  then  spreading  themselves 
out  among  the  several  Cherokee  villages  west  of  the  moun- 
tain, continued  their  traffic  as  low  down  the  Great  Tennessee 
as  the  Indian  settlements  upon  Occochappo  or  Bear  Creek, 
below  the  Muscle  Shoals,  and  there  encountered  the  compe- 
tition of  other  traders,  who  were  supplied  from  New-Orleans 
and  Mobile.  They  returned  heavily  laden  with  peltries,  to 
Charleston,  or  the  more  northern  markets,  where  they  were 
sold  at  highly  remunerating  prices.  A hatchet,  a pocket 
looking-glass,  a piece  of  scarlet  cloth,  a trinket,  and  other 
articles  of  little  value,  which  at  Williamsburg  could  be 
bought  for  a few  shillings,  would  command  from  an  Indian 
hunter  on  the  Hiwassee  or  Tennessee  peltries  amounting  in 
value  to  double  the  number  of  pounds  sterling.  Exchanges 
were  necessarily  slow,  but  the  profits  realized  from  the  ope- 
ration were  immensely  large.  In  times  of  peace  this  traffic 
attracted  the  attention  of  many  adventurous  traders.  It 
became  mutually  advantageous  to  the  Indian,  not  less  than 
to  the  white  man.  The  trap  and  the  rifle,  thus  bartered  for, 
procured,  in  one  day,  more  game  to  the  Cherokee  hunter  than 
his  bow  and  arrow  and  his  dead-fall  would  have  secured 
during  a month  of  toilsome  hunting.  Other  advantages 
resulted  from  it  to  the  whites.  They  became  thus  acquaint- 
ed with  the  great  avenues  leading  through  the  hunting 
grounds  and  to  the  occupied  country  of  the  neighbouring 
tribes— an  important  circumstance  in  the  condition  of  either 
war  or  peace.  Further,  the  traders  were  an  exact  thermo- 
meter of  the  pacific  or  hostile  intention  and  feelings  of  the 
Indians  with  whom  they  traded.  Generally,  they  were  for- 
eigners, most  frequently  Scotchmen,  who  had  not  been  long 
in  the  country,  or  upon  the  frontier,  who,  having  experienced 


DOCTOR  WALKER  PASSES  CUMBERLAND  GAP. 


65 


none  of  the  cruelties,  depredations  or  aggressions  of  the 
Indians,  cherished  none  of  the  resentment  and  spirit  of  reta- 
liation born  with,  and  every  where  manifested,  by  the  Ameri- 
can settler.  Thus,  free  from  animosity  against  the  aborigi- 
nes, the  trader  was  allowed  to  remain  in  the  village  where 
he  traded  unmolested,  even  when  its  warriors  were  singing 
the  war  song  or  brandishing  the  war  club,  preparatory  to  an 
invasion  or  massacre  of  the  whites.  Timely  warning  was 
thus  often  given  by  a returning  packman,  to  a feeble  and 
unsuspecting  settlement,  of  the  perfidy  and  cruelty  meditated 
against  it. 

This  gainful  commerce  was,  for  a time,  engrossed  by  the 
traders  ; but  the  monopoly  was  not  allowed  to  continue  long. 
Their  rapid  accumulations  soon  excited  the  cupidity  of  an- 
other class  of  adventurers ; and  the  hunter,  in  his  turn,  be- 
came a co-pioneer  with  the  trader,  in  the  march  of  civiliza- 
tion to  the  wilds  of  the  West.  As  the  agricultural  popula- 
tion approached  the  eastern  base  of  the  Alleghanies,  the 
game  became  scarce,  and  was  to  be  found  by  severe  toil  in 
almost  inaccessible  req^sses  and  coves  of  the  mountain. 
Packmen,  returning  from  their  trading  expeditions,  carried 
with  them  evidences,  not  only  of  the  abundance  of  game 
across  the  mountains,  but  of  the  facility  with  which  it  was 
procured.  Hunters  began  to  accompany  the  traders  to  the 
Indian  towns ; but,  unable  to  brook  the  tedious  delay  of  pro- 
curing peltries  by  traffic,  and  impatient  of  restraint,  they 
struck  boldly  into  the  wilderness,  and  western-like,  to  use  a 
western  phrase,  set  up  for  .themselves.  The  reports  of  their 
return,  and  of  their  successful  enterprise,  stimulated  other 
adventurers  to  a similar  undertaking.  “As  early  as  1748, 
Doctor  Thomas  Walker,  of  Virginia,  in  company  with  Colo- 
nels Wood,  Patton  and  Buchanan,  and  Captain  Charles 
Campbell,  and  a number  of  hunters,  made  an  exploring  tour 
upon  the  western  waters.  Passing  Powell’s  valley,  he  gave 
the  name  of  ‘ Cumberland’  to  the  lofty  range  of  mountains 
on  the  west.  Tracing  this  range  in  a south-western  direc- 
tion, he  came  to  a remarkable  depression  in  the  chain : 
through  this  he  passed,  calling  it  ‘ Cumberland  Gap.’  On 
the  western  side  of  the  range  he  found  a beautiful  mountain 
5 


66 


FIRST  GRANT  IN  TENNESSEE. 


stream,  which  he  named  ‘ Cumberland  river,’  all  in  honour 
of  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  then  prime  minister  of  Eng- 
land.”* These  names  have  ever  since  been  retained,  and, 
with  Loudon,  are  believed  to  be  the  only  names  in  Tennessee 
of  English  origin. 

Although  Fort  Loudon  was  erected  as  early  as  1756,  upon 
the  Tennessee,  yet  it  was  in  advance  of  any  white  settle- 
ments nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  and  was,  as  has 
been  related,  destroyed  in  1760.  The  fort,  too,  at  Long  Is- 
land, within  the  boundaries  of  the  present  State  of  Tennes- 
see, was  erected  in  1758,  but  no  permanent  settlements  had 
yet  been  formed  near  it.  Still,  occasional  settlers  had  begun 
to  fix  their  habitations  in  the  south-western  section  of  Vir- 
ginia, and,  as  early  as  1754,  six  families  were  residing  west 
of  New  River.  “ On  the  breaking  out  of  the  French  war, 
the  Indians,  in  alliance  with  the  French,  made  an  irruption 
into  these  settlements,  and  massacred  Burke  and  his  family. 
The  other  families,  finding  their  situation  too  perilous  to  be 
maintained,  returned  to  the  eastern  side  of  New  River;  and 
the  renewal  of  the  attempt  to  carry  the  white  settlements 
further  west,  was  not  made  until  after  the  close  of  that 
war.”f 

Under  a mistaken  impression  that  the  Virginia  line,  when 

g ( extended  west,  would  embrace  it,  a grant  of  land  was 
l this  year  made,  by  the  authorities  of  Virginia,  to  Ed- 
mund Pendleton,  for  three  thousand  acres  of  land,  lying  in 
Augusta  county,  on  a branch  of  the  middle  fork  of  the  Indian 
river,  called  West  Creek, J now  Sullivan  county,  Tennessee. 

In  this  year,  Doctor  Walker  again  passed  over  Clinch  and 
$ Powell’s  river,  on  a tour  of  exploration  into  what  is 
( now  Kentucky. 

The  Cherokees  were  now  at  peace  with  the  whites,  and 
hunters  from  the  back  settlements  began  with  safety  to  pe- 

* Monette  TJie  Indian  name  of  this  range  was  Wasioto,  and  of  the  river, 
Shawanee. 

f Howe. 

t The  original  patent,  signed  by  Governor  Dinwiddie,  and  now  in  the  possession 
of  the  writer,  was  presented  to  him  by  T.  A.  R.  Nelson,  Esq.,  of  Jonesboro,  Ten- 
nessee. It  is  probably  the  oldest  grant  in  the  state. 


FIRST  ARRIVAL  OF  BOON. 


67 


1(_  ( netrate  deeper  and  further  into  the  wilderness  of  Ten- 

l nessee.  Several  of  them,  chiefly  from  Virginia,  hear- 
ing of  the  abundance  of  game  with  which  the  woods  were 
stocked,  and  allured  by  the  prospects  of  gain,  which  might  be 
drawn  from  this  source,  formed  themselves  into  a company, 
composed  of  Wallen,  Scaggs,  Blevins,  Cox,  and  fifteen  others^ 
and  came  into  the  valley,  since  known  as  Carter’s  Vallejq  in 
Hawkins  county,  Tennessee.  They  hunted  eighteen  months 
upon  Clinch  and  Powell’s  rivers.  Wallen’s  Creek  and  Wal- 
len’s Ridge  received  their  name  from  the  leader  of  the  com- 
pany ; as,  also,  did  the  station  which  they  erected  in  the 
present  Lee  county,  Virginia,  the  name  of  Wallen’s  Station. 
They  penetrated  as  far  north  as  Laurel  Mountain,  in  Ken- 
tucky, where  they  terminated  their  journey,  having  met  with 
a body  of  Indians,  whom  they  supposed  to  be  Shawnees. 
At  the  head  of  one  of  the  companies  that  visited  the  West 
this  year  “ came  Daniel  Boon,  from  the  Yadkin,  in  North- 
Carolina,  and  travelled  with  them  as  low  as  the  place  where 
Abingdon  now  stands,  and  there  left  them.” 

This  is  the  first  time  the  advent  of  Daniel  Boon  to  the 
western  wilds  has  been  mentioned  by  historians,  or  by  the 
several  biographers  of  that  distinguished  pioneer  and  hunter. 
There  is  reason,  however,  to  believe  that  he  had  hunted  upon 
Watauga  earlier.  The  writer  is  indebted  to  N.  Gammon, 
Esq.,  formerly  of  Jonesboro,  now  a citizen  of  Knoxville,  for 
the  following  inscription,  still  to  be  seen  upon  a beech  tree, 
standing  in  sight  and  east  of  the  present  stage-road,  leading 
from  Jonesboro  to  Blountsville,  and  in  the  valley  of  Boon’s 
Creek,  a tributary  of  Watauga. 

I).  Boon 


CillEJD  A.  BAB 

in  ThE  . 

yEAR 


On 

Tree 


1760 


68 


WALKER  HUNTS  ON  CLINCH. 


Boon  was  eighty-six  years  old  when  he  died,  which  was 
September,  1820.  He  was  thus  twenty-six  years  old  when 
the  inscription  was  made.  When  he  left  the  company  of 
hunters  in  1761,  as  mentioned  above  by  Haywood,  it  is  pro- 
bable that  he  did  so  to  revisit  the  theatre  of  a former  hunt 
upon  the  creek  that  still  bears  his  name,  and  where  his 
camp  is  still  pointed  out  near  its  banks.  It  is  not  improba- 
ble, indeed,  that  he  belonged  to,  or  accompanied,  the  party 
of  Doctor  Walker,  on  his  first,  or  certainly  on  his  second, 
tour  of  exploration  in  1760.  The  inscription  is  sufficient 
authority,  as  this  writer  conceives,  to  date  the  arrival  of 
Boon  in  Tennessee  as  early  as  its  date,  1760,  thus  preced- 
ing the  permanent  settlement  of  the  country  nearly  ten 
years. 

In  the  fall  of  the  next  year  Wallen  and  his  company  return- 
1 ed  again  and  hunted  on  the  waters  of  Clinch;  they 
( crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  at  the  Flower  Gap,  New  ri- 
ver, at  Jones’s  Ford,  and  the  Iron  Mountain  at  the  Blue  Spring  ; 
they  travelled  down  the  south  fork  of  Holston,  and  crossing 
the  north  fork  and  going  to  the  Elk  Garden,  on  the  waters  of 
Clinch,  they  discovered  some  Indian  signs : they  extended 
their  journey,  in  the  same  direction,  to  the  Hunters’  Valley — 
so  named  from  their  travelling  to  and  down  it  several  days 
to  Black- water  Creek.  They  fixed  their  station-camp  near  the 
Tennessee  line,  and  on  the  present  road  from  Jonesville  to  Ro- 
gersville.  Some  of  the  same  company  travelled  down  to  Greasy 
Rock  Creek,  and  fixed  a station-camp  there.  It  stood  near 
the  present  line  between  Hawkins  and  Claibourne  counties.* 

This  year  Wallen’s  company  ventured  further  into  the  in- 
jijgg  ( terior — passed  through  Cumberland  Gap,  and  hunted 
l during  the  whole  season  on  Cumberland  river  ; and 

*A  grant,  signed  Arthur  Dobbs,  Governor  of  the  Province  of  North-Carolina, 
William  Beatner,  Senr.,  Superintendent  and  Deputy  Adjutant  in  and  for  the 
Cherokee  Nation,  and  William  Beamer,  Junr.,  Interpreter,  and  the  Little  Carpenter, 
Half  King  of  the  Cherokee  Nation  of  the  Over-hill  Towns,  and  Matthew  Tool,  Inter- 
preter, made  to  Captain  Patrick  Jack,  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  is  recorded  in 
Eegister’s  office  of  Knox  county.  It  purports  to  have  been  made  at  a council  held  at 
Tennessee  river,  March  1, 1757  ; and  the  consideration  is  four  hundred  dollars,  and 
conveys  to  Captain  Jack  fifteen  miles  square  south  of  Tennessee  river.  The  grant 
itself,  confirmatory  of  the  purchase  by  Jack,  is  dated  at  a General  Council  met  at 
Catawba  river,  May  7,  1762,  and  is  witnessed  by  Nathaniel  Alexander. 


SMITH  EXPLORES  THE  CUMBERLAND. 


69 


for  the  next  several  years  continued  to  make  fall  hunts  on 
Rockcastle  river,  near  the  Crab-Orchard,  in  Kentucky. 

Daniel  Boon,  who  still  lived  on  the  Yadkin,  though  he  had 
1764  ^ previously  hunted  on  the  western  waters,  came  again 
l this  year  to  explore  the  country,  being  employed  for 
this  purpose  by  Henderson  & Company.  YY  ith  him  came 
Samuel  Callaway,  his  kinsman,  and  the  ancestor  of  the  re- 
spectable family  of  that  name,  pioneers  of  Tennessee,  Ken- 
tucky and  Missouri.  Callaway  was  at  the  side  of  Boon  when, 
approaching  the  spurs  of  the  Cumberland  Mountain,  and  in 
view  of  the  vast  herds  of  buffalo  grazing  in  the  vallies  be- 
tween them,  he  exclaimed,  “ I am  richer  than  the  man  men- 
tioned in  scripture,  who  owned  the  cattle  on  a thousand 
hills — I own  the  wild  beasts  of  more  than  a thousand  val- 
lies.” 

After  Boon  and  Callaway,  came  another  hunter,  Henry 
Scaggins,  who  was  also  employed  by  Henderson.  He  extend- 
ed his  exploration  to  the  Lower  Cumberland,  and  fixed  his  sta- 
tion at  Mansco’s  Lick. 

“About  the  last  of  June,  1766,  Col.  James  Smith  set  off  to  explore  the 
great  body  of  rich  lands,  which,  by  conversing  with  the  Indians, 


he  understood  to  be  between  the  Ohio  and  Cherokee  rivers,  and 


lately  ceded  by  a treaty  made  with  Sir  William  Johnston,  to  the  King 
of  Great  Britain.  He  went,  in  the  first  place,  to  Holston  river,  and 
thence  travelled  westwardly  in  company  with  Joshua  Horton,  Hriah  Stone 
and  William  Baker,  who  came  from  Carlisle,  Pa., — four  in  all — and  a 
slave,  aged  18,  belonging  to  Horton.  They  explored  the  country  south 
of  Kentucky,  and  no  vestige  of  a white  man  was  to  be  found  there,  more 
than  there  is  now  at  the  head  of  the  Missouri.  They  also  explored  Cum- 
berland and  Tennessee  rivers,  from  Stone’s  river  down  to  the  Ohio. 
Stone’s  river  is  a branch  of  Cumberland,  and  empties  into  it  eight  or  ten 
miles  above  Nashville.  It  was  so  named  in  the  journal  of  these  explorers, 
after  Mr.  Stone,  one  of  their  number,  and  has  ever  since  retained  the  name. 
When  they  came  to  the  mouth  of  Tennessee,  Col.  Smith  concluded  to  re- 
turn home,  and  the  others  to  proceed  to  the  Illinois.  They  gave  to  Col. 
Smith  the  greater  part  of  their  powder  and  lead — amounting  only  to 
half  a pound  of  the  former,  and  a proportionate  quantity  of  lead.  Mr. 
Horton,  also,  left  with  him  his  slave : and  Smith  set  off  with  him  through 
the  wilderness,  to  Carolina.  Near  a buffalo  path,  they  made  them  a 
shelter  ; but,  fearing  the  Indians  might  pass  that  way  and  discover  his 
fire  place,  he  removed  to  a greater  distance  from  it.  After  remaining  there 
six  weeks,  he  proceeded  on  his  journey,  and  arrived  in  Carolina  in  Octo- 
ber. He  thence  travelled  to  FortChissel,  and  from  there  returned  home 
to  Coneco-Cheague,  in  the  fall  of  1767.”* 


* Haywood. 


70 


FINDLEY  PASSES  THROUGH  EAST  TENNESSEE. 


This  exploration  of  Col.  Smith  was,  with  the  exception  of 
Scaggins’s,  the  first  that  had  been  made  of  the  country  west 
of  Cumberland  Mountain,  in  Tennessee,  by  any  of  the  Anglo- 
American  race.  The  extraordinary  fertility  of  the  soil  upon 
the  Lower  Cumberland — the  luxuriant  cane-breaks  upon  the 
table-lands  of  its  tributaries — its  dark  and  variegated  forest — 
its  rich  flora — its  exuberant  pasturage — in  a word,  the  ex- 
act adaptation  of  the  country  to  all  the  wants  and  purposes 
of  a great  and  flourishing  community,  impressed  the  explorer 
with  the  importance  of  his  discovery,  and  of  its  great  value 
to  such  of  his  countrymen  as  should  afterwards  come  in  and 
possess  it  Not  strange  was  it,  that  the  recital  of  what  he  had 
seen  during  his  long  and  perilous  absence,  should  excite  in 
Carolina,  Virginia,  Maryland  and  Pennsylvnnia,  as  he  passed 
homeward,  an  urgent  and  irrepressible  desire  to  emigrate  to, 
and  settle,  this  El  Dorado  of  the  West.* 

During  this  year  John  Findley,  a fearless  Indian  trader  from 
( North-Carolina,  accompanied  by  several  comrades,  vis- 
( ited  the  West.  Passing  through  Upper  East  Tennes- 
see to  the  Cumberland  Gap  ,he  continued  his  explorations  to 
the  Kentucky  river. 

Indeed,  the  spirit  of  exploration  and  adventure  was  now  a 
mania : it  had  become  an  epidemic — numberipg  among  its 
subjects  every  bold,  fearless,  daring,  ambitious,  intrepid  back- 
woodsman. Companies  of  these,  varying  in  number  from  two 
to  forty,  accumulated  in  rapid  succession  upon  the  border  set- 
tlements, from  the  Monongahela  to  the  Savannah,  and  ex- 
cited in  the  minds  of  the  more  discreet  and  sagacious  settlers, 
apprehension  of  renewed  hostilities  from  the  now  friendly  na- 
tives of  the  country.  They  clearly  foresaw  that  an  avalanche 
of  population,  concentrating  thus  upon  the  frontier,  could  not 
be  restrained  from  precipitating  itself  across  an  ideal  line— 
the  feeble  barrier  that  now  separated  the  two  races.  These 
apprehensions  were  not  without  foundation. 

“ The  peace  of  1763  had  secured  to  Great  Britain  the  right  of  terri- 
torial sovereignty  to  the  country  east  of  the  Mississippi,  to  which  France 

* Colonel  Croghan,  in  Iris  Journal,  May  31,  1765,  passing  down  the  Ohio  river, 
mentions  “ the  mouth  of  the  river  Kentucky,  or  Holsten’s  river.”  The  head  of 
Holston  may  previously  have  been  seen,  and  probably  was  supposed  to  run  in  the 
direction  of  the  Kentucky  river. 


THE  KING  FORBIDS  WESTERN  GRANTS. 


71 


had  previously  asserted  the  paramount  right  of  territory  and  dominion. 
The  change  of  this  right  of  dominion,  whether  real  or  imaginary,  necessa- 
rily facilitated  the  transmigration  of  British  colonists  from  their  Atlantic 
settlements  to  the  newly  acquired  territory  on  the  western  waters.  * 

* * But  the  treaty  of  Paris  had  made  no  stipulation  for  the  tribes 

who  had  been  in  alliance  with  France,  and  who  claimed  to  be  indepen- 
dent nations,  and  the  real  owners  of  the  territory  ceded  by  her.  They 
had  been  no  party  to  the  treaty  of  peace,  and  they  refused  to  be  bound 
by  any  transfer  which  the  French  King  should  make  of  their  country  to 
the  English.  Every  excursion,  therefore,  into  their  hunting  grounds, 
was,  at  first,  viewed  with  dissatisfaction  and  jealousy,  and  at  a later 
period,  resisted  as  an  encroachment  upon  their  rights  and  an  invasion 
of  their  soil.  This  jealousy  against  t£e  English  colonists  was  the  more 
easily  excited  in  the  minds  of  the  Indians,  as  the  French  had  always 
taken  pains  to  impress  upon  them  the  inordinate  desire  and  determina- 
tion of  England  to  occupy  their  lands  and  to  dispossess  them  of  their 
whole  country.  To  quiet,  as  far  as  possible,  any  discontent  from  this 
source,  and  to  remove  any  apprehension  that  the  British  government 
designed  to  extend  its  jurisdiction  over  the  territory  of  the  Indians,  the 
proclamation  of  King  George  was  issued,  Oct.  7,  1763,  prohibiting  all 
the  provincial  governors  from  granting  lands,  or  issuing  land  warrants, 
to  be  located  upon  any  territory  lying  west  of  the  mountains,  or  west  of 
the  sources  of  those  streams  which  flow  into  the  Atlantic,  and  all  settle- 
ments by  the  subjects  of  Great  Britain,  west  of  the  sources  of  the  Atlan- 
tic rivers.  The  proclamation  of  the  king  further  ‘ strictly  enjoined  and 
required  that  no  private  persons  do  presume  to  purchase  from  the  In- 
dians any  lands,  &c.  And  that  if  the  Indians  should  be  inclined  to  dis- 
pose of  their  lands,  the  same  shall  be  purchased  only  for  us,  in  our 
name,  at  some  general  meeting  or  assembly  of  the  Indians,  to  be  held  for 
that  purpose,  by  the  governor  or  commander-in-chief  of  our  colony 
respectively.’  ”* 

It  was  further  directed  and  required,  that  “ all  traders 
should  take  out  licenses  from  their  respective  governors,  for 
carrying  on  commerce  with  the  Indians.”  In  accordance, 
also,  with  the  provisions  of  this  proclamation,  the  boundaries 
of  the  Indian  hunting  grounds  were  fixed,  and  a superinten- 
dent of  Indian  affairs  was  appointed  for  the  southern  district. 
This  office  was  conferred  upon  Captain  John  Stuart,  who, 
as  we  have  already  seen,  owed  his  life,  at  the  massacre  of  the 
garrison  at  Fort  Loudon,  to  the  clemency  and  interposition 
of  his  captor,  a Cherokee  chief. 

However  well  intended,  this  proclamation  of  the  distant 
king  was  a dead  letter.  In  the  back  woods  of  America,  it 
received  no  hearty  response — exacted  not  the  lowest  whisper 


* Marshall. 


72 


VIRGINIA  GRANTS  LANDS  ON  THE  OHIO. 


of  obedience.  It  was  every  where,  and  by  all  classes  of  men, 
disregarded.  Masses  of  population  were,  upon  the  western 
boundary  of  all  the  middle  and  southern  colonies,  ready  and 
impatient  for  the  occupancy  of  the  new  lands  in  the  wilderness. 
Hunters  and  traders  had  discovered  and  explored  them.  They 
knew  the  avenues  by  which  they  could  be  reached,  and  had 
spread  abroad  among  their  countrymen  enchanting  accounts 
of  their  value  and  beauty.  Another  circumstance  hastened 
the  more  perfect  exploration  and  future  settlement  of  the 
western  country.  It  was  the  bounty  given  in  these  very 
lands,  by  several  of  the  provinces,  with  the  approbation  of 
the  crown,  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  who  had  served  in  the 
British  army,  in  their  wars  with  the  French  and  their  Indian 
allies.*  These,  with  the  script  and  military  warrants  in 
their  hands,  and  accompanied  by  hundreds  of  surveyors  and 
agents,  were  constantly  employed  in  selecting  and  locating 
their  respective  claims.  The  proclamation  of  the  king  could 
not  deter  them  from  their  locations  and  surveys.  Even  the 
wise  and  virtuous  George  Washington  and  Chancellor  Li- 
vingston admitted  it  to  be  intended  merely  to  quiet  the  jealous 
apprehensions  of  the  Indians,  against  the  advance  of  the 
white  settlements  on  the  western  side  of  the  mountains.  It 
was  not,  in  any  wise,  designed,  really,  to  check  the  ultimate 
occupation  of  the  country.  Virginia,  viewing  the  procla- 
mation in  no  other  light  than  as  a temporary  expedient  to 
quiet  the  minds  of  the  Indians,  soon  afterwards  patented 
considerable  tracts  of  land  on  the  Ohio,  far  beyond  the  Apa- 
lachian  mountains. f Thus  the  discontents  of  the  Indians 

were  increased,  and  by  the  opening  of  the  spring  of  1768, 
along  the  whole  line  of  the  western  frontier,  from  the  sources 
of  the  Susquehannah  to  those  of  the  Tennessee,  they  became 
exasperated,  and  united  in  their  determination  to  check  fur- 
her  encroachments,  and  to  enforce  an  observance  of  their 
rights  ; still  they  refrained  from  open  hostilities,  while  the 

* By  tlie  proclamation  of  the  king,  the  governors  were  directed  to  grant  “to 
every  person  having  the  rank  of  a field  officer,  5000  acres;  to  every  captain,  3000 
acres  ; to  every  subaltern  or  staff  officer,  2000  acres ; to  every  non-commissioned 
officer,  200  acres;  and  to  every  private,  50  acres. 

t See  Sparks’s  writings  of  Washington. 


MOST  OF  TENNESSEE  UNOCCUPIED  BY  INDIANS.  73 

restless  population  of  the  Atlantic  border  continued  to  press 
forward  into  the  west,  regardless,  alike  of  the  rights  of  the 
Indians  and  the  proclamation  of  the  king,  issued  five  years 
previously;* 

At  the  recommendation  of  Gov.  Tryon,  an  appropriation 
1767  ( was  made  by  the  Province  of  North-Carolina,  on  the 
( application  of  the  Cherokee  nation,  for  running  a 
dividing  line  between  the  western  settlements  of  the  pro- 
vince and  their  hunting  grounds,  and  the  governor  was 
authorized  to  appoint  three  commissioners  for  that  purpose. 

“In  May  of  this  year,  an  appeal  was  made  to  the  proper  antho- 
j rities,  to  restrain  further  encroachments  on  the  part  of  the  frontier 
1 \ people,  upon  the  lands  claimed  by  the  Indians.  Some  of  the 

settlements  now  being  formed  upon  the  head  of  the  Kenhawa,  and  the 
north  fork  of  Holston,  were  upon  territory  to  which  the  Indian  title  had 
not  been  extinguished,  and  parties  of  woodmen,  explorers,  and  surveyors, 
were  distributed  in  the  vallies  below,  preparatory  to  a further  occupancy. 
The  superintendents  of  Indian  affairs  were,  accordingly,  instructed  by 
the  royal  government  to  establish  the  boundaries  between  the  whites 
and  the  Indians,  and  to  purchase  from  the  latter  the  lands  already  occu- 
pied by  the  king’s  subjects.  But  what  tribe  owned  these  lands  ? Who 
were  the  proprietors  of  the  soil  1” 

At  the  time  of  its  earliest  exploration,  the  country  east  and 
north  of  the  Tennessee  river  was  not  in  the  occupancy  of 
any  Indian  tribe.  Vestiges  were  then  found,  and,  indeed, 
still  remain,  of  an  ancient  and  dense  population — indicating 
higher  progress  in  civilization  and  the  arts  than  has  been 
attained  by  more  modern  tribes  in  this  part  of  the  con- 
tinent. A fresh  hunting  camp  was  occasionally  found, 

“But  in  their  frequent  peregrinations  and  trading  expeditions  through 
the  vast  territories  between  the  Ohio  and  the  Tennessee  rivers,  the  first 
traders,  hunters  and  explorers  never  found,  within  that  extent  of  coun- 
try, a single  wigwam  or  modern  Indian  village.  The  Indian  settlements 
nearest  to  the  frontier  border  of  the  Carolinas,  and  of  south-western 
Virginia,  were  on  the  Sciota  and  Miami,  in  the  north,  and  on  the  waters 
of  the  Little  Tennessee  in  the  south.  From  these  points  the  various 
war  or  hunting  parties  issued,  to  engage  in  the  one  or  the  other  pursuit, 
as  the  passions  or  the  opportunities  of  their  expeditions  might  lead. 
Here  the  Choctaws,  Chickasaws  or  Cherokees,  of  the  south,  used  to 
engage  with  the  various  tribes  of  the  Miami  Confederacy,  of  the  north  ; 
here  they  indulged  their  passion  for  hunting,  in  the  profusion  of  game 
afforded  by  Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  That  part  of  these  two  states 
embraced  within  the  boundaries  mentioned,  was  one  great  park,  where 


* Monette. 


74 


ABORIGINAL  CLAIMS. 


the  skill  of  the  uncivilized  hunter  was  practiced,  aud  a central  theatre, 
upon  which  the  desperate  conflicts  of  savage  warriors  and  bloody  rivals 
were  perpetrated.  By  common  agreement  of  all  the  surrounding  tribes, 
this  whole  section  of  country  seems  to  have  been  reserved  for  these 
purposes,  from  permanent  occupancy ; and  so  much  was  it  exempted 
from  settlement,  that  south  of  the  Ohio,  and  north  and  east  of  the  Ten- 
nessee, it  is  not  known  that  a single  village  was  settled  by  the  Indians ; 
yet  no  situations  have  generally  delighted  savage  tribes,  so  much  as  the 
margins  of  water  courses  ; the  opportunities  of  navigation,  and  of  fishing, 
unite  to  attract  them  to  such  spots.  Some  known  and  acknowledged 
inhibition  must  have,  therefore,  prevented  the  settlement  and  possession 
of  this  great  Mesopotamia.  What  was  it?  On  this  subject,  tradition 
and  history  are  alike  indistinct  and  unsatisfactory.”* 

At  the  point  of  time  to  which  these  annals  have  reached, 
the  territory  of  which  we  are  speaking  was  claimed,  though 
not  occupied,  by  the  Confederacy  of  the  Six  Nations.  These 
were  called  by  the  early  French  historians,  Iroqouis,  and  by 
the  English,  Mohawks.  In  1072  these  tribes  conquered  the 
Illinois  and  Shawanee  Indians,  the  latter  of  whom  were  also 
incorporated  with  them.  To  these  conquests  they  added,  in 
1685,  that  of  the  Miamis,  and  about  the  same  time  carried 
their  victorious  arms  westward  to  the  Mississippi,  and  south- 
ward to  what  is  now  Georgia.  In  1711  they  incorporated 
with  them  the  Tuscaroras,  when  expelled  from  North-Caro- 
lina.f  Gov.  Pownal,  in  his  “ administration  of  the  British 
Colonies,”  says  that  these  tribes  carried  their  arms  as  far 
south  as  Carolina  and  as  far  west  as  the  Mississippi,  over  a 
vast  country,  twelve  hundred  miles  in  length  and  six  hun- 
dred in  breadth,  where  they  destroyed  whole  nations,  of  whom 
there  are  no  accounts  remaining  among  the  English  : and, 
continues  the  same  writer,  the  rights  of  these  tribes  to  the 
hunting  lands  on  the  Ohio  may  be  fairly  proved  by  their  con- 
quests over  the  Shawanees,  Delawares,  &c.,  as  they  stood 
possessed  thereof  at  the  peace  of  Ryswick,  in  1697.  In  fur- 
ther confirmation  of  this  Indian  title,  Butler  adds  : 

“ It  must  be  mentioned  that  Lewis  Evans  represents,  in  his  map  of  the 
Middle  Colonies  of  Great  Britain,  the  country  on  the  south-easterly  side 
of  the  Ohio  river,  as  the  hunting  lands  of  the  Six  Nations.  In  the  analy- 
sis to  his  map,  he  expressly  says  that  the  Shawneese,  who  were  once  a 
most  considerable  nation,  have  been  subdued  by  the  confederates,  and 


* Butler’s  Kentucky. 


t Butler. 


TREATY  OF  FORT  STANWIX. 


75 


their  country  has  since  become  their  property.  At  a celebrated  treaty , 
held  more  than  a century  since  at  Lancaster,  the  statement  made  by  the 
delegates  in  attendance  from  the  Six  Nations  to  Dr.  Franklin,  was,  ‘ that 
all  the  w orld  knows  that  we  conquered  all  the  nations  back  of  the  great 
mountains ; we  conquered  the  nations  residing  there,  and  that  land,  if 
the  Virginians  ever  get  a good  right  to  it,  it  must  be  by  us.’  These  In- 
dian claims  are  solemnly  appealed  to  in  a diplomatic  memorial,  addressed 
by  the  British  ministry  to  the  Duke  Mirepoix,  on  the  part  of  France,  J une 
7,  1755.  ‘It  is  a certain  truth,  states  the  memorial,  that  these  lands 
have  belonged  to  the  Confederacy,  and  as  they  have  not  been  given  up 
or  made  over  to  the  English,  belong  still  to  the  same  Indian  Nations.’ 
The  court  of  Great  Britain  maintained,  in  this  negotiation,  that  the  con- 
federates were,  by  origin  or  by  right  of  conquest,  the  lawful  proprietors 
of  the  river  Ohio  and  the  territory  in  question.  In  support  of  this  an- 
cient aboriginal  title,  Butler  adds  the  further  testimony  of  Dr.  Mitchell's 
map  of  North  America,  made  with  the  documents  of  the  Colonial  office 
before  him.  In  this  map,  the  same  as  the  one  by  which  the  boundaries  in 
the  treaty  of  Paris,  in  1783,  were  adjusted,  the  Doctor  observes,  ‘ that 
the  Six  Nations  have  extended  their  territories  ever  since  the  year  1672, 
when  they  subdued  and  were  incorporated  with  the  ancient  Shawaneese, 
the  native  ■proprietors  of  these  countries.’  This,  he  adds,  is  confirmed  by 
their  own  claims  and  possessions  in  1742,  which  include  all  the  bounds 
as  laid  down  in  the  map,  and  none  have  even  thought  fit  to  dispute 
them.”* 

Such  was  the  aboriginal  title  to  the  greater  part  of  Ten- 
nessee in  1767,  when  the  white  settlers  approached  its  east- 

g i ern  boundary.  On  the  6th  of  May  of  this  year  a 
( deputation  of  the  Six  Nations  presented  to  the  super- 
intendent of  Indian  affairs,  a formal  remonstrance  against  the 
continued  encroachments  of  the  whites  upon  their  lands. 
The  subject  was  immediately  considered  by  the  royal  go- 
verment ; and  near  the  close  of  summer,  orders  were  issuedjo 
Sir  William  Johnson,  Superintendent  of  Northern  Indian 
Affairs,  instructing  him  to  convene  the  chiefs,  warriors  and 
sachems  of  the  tribes  most  interested.  Agreeably  to  these 
orders,  Sir  William  Johnson  convened  the  delegates  of  the 
Six  Nations,  and  their  confederates  and  dependents,  at  Fort 
Stanwix,  (now  Utica,  N.  Y.,)  October  24.  Three  thousand 
two  hundred  Indians,  of  seventeen  different  tribes,  tributaries 
to  the  Confederacy,  or  occupying  territories  coterminous  with 
theirs,  attended.  On  the  5th  of  November,  a treaty  of 
limits  and  a deed  of  cession  to  the  King  of  England,  were 


* Franklin’s  works,  as  quoted  by  Butler. 


76 


FIRST  CESSION  FROM  ABORIGINAL  OWNERS. 


signed.  In  this,  the  delegates  of  their  respective  nations 
aver  that  “ they  are  the  true  and  absolute  proprietors  of  the 
lands  thus  ceded , and  that  for  the  considerations  mentioned, 
“ we  have  continued  the  line  south  to  the  Cherokee  or  Hogohe- 
gee  rivers*  because  the  same  is,  and  we  declare  it  to  be, our  true 
bounds  with  the  Southern  Indians,  and  that  we  have  an  un- 
doubted right  to  the  country  as  far  south  as  that  river." 

The  cession  thus  made  by  the  Six  Nations,  of  the  country 
north  and  east  of  the  Tennessee  river,  is  the  first  deed  from 
any  of  the  aboriginal  tribes  for  any  territory  within  the 
boundaries  of  our  state.  The  title  of  the  Confederates  to  these 
lands  was,  by  the  treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix,  forever  transferred 
from  them ; but  other  tribes  contended  that  the  Six  Na- 
tions had  not  an  exclusive  claim  to  them,  but  that  they  were 
the  common  hunting  grounds  of  the  Cherokees  and  Chicka- 
saws  also.  In  the  journal  of  the  commissioners,  detail- 
ing the  progress  of  the  treaty,  the  tribes  represented,  &c., 
no  mention  is  made  of  delegates  in  attendance  from  any  of 
the  southern  Indian  tribes.  It  is  said  by  Haywood,  that 
some  visiting  Cherokees  were  present  at  the  treaty,  who 
upon  their  route  had  killed  game  for  their  support,  and  on 
their  arrival  at  Fort  Stanwix,  immediately  tendered  the 
skins  to  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations,  saying : “ they  are 
yours ; we  killed  them  after  we  passed  the  big  river,”  as 
they  always  designated  the  Tennessee.  This  would  seem 
to  imply  an  acquiescence  on  their  part,  in  the  validity  of  the 
claim  of  the  Six  Nations.  These  claimed  the  soil,  not  as  its 
aboriginal  owners,  but  by  the  right  of  conquest ; and  all  tra- 
dition concurs  in  admitting  their  right  to  that  extent.  But 
the  Cherokees  had  long  exercised  the  privilege  of  hunting 
upon  these  lands,  and  therefore  regarded,  with  jealousy  and 
dissatisfaction,  the  approaches  of  the  white  settlements.  Mr. 
Stuart,  the  Superintendent  of  Southern  Indian  Affairs,  was 
therefore  instructed  to  assemble  the  southern  Indians  for  the 
purpose  of  establishing  a boundary  with  them  ; and  before 
negotiations  with  the  confederates  at  Fort  Stanwix  had  be- 
gun, he  concluded  a treaty  with  the  Cherokees  at  Hard  La- 
bour, in  South-Carolina,  October  14,  1768.  By  this  treaty,  it 
* The  Holston  was  thus  called. 


ABORIGINES  OF  TENNESSEE. 


77 


was  agreed  that  the  south-western  boundary  of  Virginia 
should  be  a line  “ extending  from  the  point  where  the  northern 
line  of  North-Carolina  intersects  the  Cherokee  hunting- 
grounds,  about  thirty-six  miles  east  of  Long  Island,  in  the 
Holston  river,  and  thence  extending  in  a direct  course,  north 
by  east,  to  Chiswell’s  Mine,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Kenhawa 
river,  and  thence  down  that  stream  to  its  junction  with  the 
Ohio.”  This  line,  however,  did  not  include  all  the  settle- 
ments then  made  ; and  even  during  the  progress  of  the  treaty, 
the  settlers  were  advancing  further  west,  and  erecting  their 
cabins  north-west  of  the  Holston,  and  upon  the  branches  of 
the  Clinch  and  Powell’s  river,  within  the  limits  of  the  Indian 
territory.  This  fact  being  ascertained,  a subsequent  treaty 
became  necessary  for  the  adjustment  of  a new  boundary  and 
the  remuneration  of  the  savages  for  an  additional  extent  of 
country.”* 

ABORIGINES  OF  TENNESSEE. 

At  the  time  of  its  first  exploration,  Tennessee  was  a vast 
and  almost  unoccupied  wilderness— a solitude  over  which  an 
Indian  hunter  seldom  roamed,  and  to  which  no  tribe  put  in  a 
distinct  and  well  defined  claim,  For  this  reason,  and  on  ac- 
count of  the  mildness  of  its  climate,  and  the  rich  pasturage  fur- 
nished by  its  varied  ranges  of  plain  and  mountain,  Tennessee, 
in  common  with  Kentucky,  had  become  an  extensive  park, 
of  which  the  beasts  of  the  forest  held  undisturbed  possession. 
Into  these  wild  recesses,  savage  daring  did  not  often  venture 
to  penetrate.  Equi-distant  from  the  settled  territories  of  the 
southern  and  northern  Indian  tribes,  it  remained,  by  common 
consent,  uninhabited  by  either,  and  little  explored.  The  ap- 
proach of  civilization,  from  several  directions,  began  to  abridge 
the  territories  of  surrounding  Indian  nations ; and  the  mar- 
gin of  this  great  terra  incognita  was  occasionally  visited  by 
parties  of  savages  in  pursuit  of  game,  and  as  places  of  retreat 
from  the  encroachments  of  a superior  race.  In  these  respects, 
the  value  of  the  country  began  to  be  appreciated  as  hunting 


* Monette. 


78 


SIIAWNEES  OCCUPIED  THE  LOWER  CUMBERLAND, 


grounds,  and  as  affording  immunity  from  the  molestations  of 
civilized  man.  Vague  and  uncertain  claims  to  several  por- 
tions of  the  territory,  were  asserted  by  as  many  several  tribes  ; 
but  no  part  of  the  present  Tennessee  was  held  by  the  actual 
and  permanent  occupancy  of  the  Indians,  except  that  section 
embraced  by  the  segment  of  a circle,  of  which  Tennessee  ri- 
ver is  the  periphery,  from  the  point  where  it  intersects  the 
North-Carolina  line  to  that  where  this  stream  enters  the  Stat  e 
of  Alabama.  This  was  settled  by  the  Cherokees.  All  of  Ten- 
nessee, besides  this,  was  uninhabited,  though  a portion  of  it 
was  claimed  or  occupied  as  hunting  grounds  by  the  Shaw- 
nees,  the  Chickasaws,  the  Choctaws  and  the  Cherokees. 

The  limits  of  these  several  territorial  claims  were  ill  defin- 
ed and  indistinct.  An  ideal  line,  merely,  passing  through 
boundless  forests  and  pathless  mountains,  with  no  river  or 
other  notorious  object  to  ascertain  its  exactness,  became  the 
occasion  of  misunderstanding  between  rival  Indian  nations. 

Of  the  four  tribes,  as  above  enumerated,  a briefnotice  will  be 
given,  as  connected  with  and  illustrative  of,  the  settlement  of 
Tennessee. 

SIIAWNEES. 

The  earlier  French  explorers,  and  geographers  after  them, 
designate  the  banks  ofthe  Lower  Cumberland  as  the  country  of 
the  Shawnees.  Numerous  villages  are  laid  down  on  the  map, 
published  with  Marquette’s  Journal  in  1681,  within  the  pre- 
sent boundaries  of  Tennessee.  They  were  a wandering  na- 
tion— one  of  their  tribes  being  mentioned  as  dwelling  for  a 
time  in  Eastern  Virginia,  and  another,  soon  after,  on  the  head- 
waters of  the  Savannah.  Adair,  little  more  than  a century 
since,  “ saw  the  chief  part  of  the  main  camp  of  the  Shawano, 
consisting  of  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  persons,  on  a tedious 
ramble  to  the  Muskoghee  country,  where  they  settled,  seventy 
miles  above  the  Alabahma  garrison.” 

The  late  General  Robertson  learned  from  the  Indians,  that 
more  than  a century  and  a half  ago,  (1665,)  the  Shawnees  oc- 
cupied the  country  from  the  Tennessee  river  to  where  Nash- 
ville now  is,  and  north  of  the  Cumberland  ; and  that  about 
1700,  they  left  this  country  and  emigrated  north,  and  were  re- 


AND  WERE  EXPELLED  BY  CHEROKEES 


79 


ceived  as  a wandering  tribe  by  the  Six  Nations,  but  were  not 
allowed  to  have  there  any  claim  to  the  soil.  As  late  as  1764, 
the  Shawnees  moved  from  Green  river,  in  Kentucky,  where 
a part  of  them  then  resided,  to  the  Wabash. 

In  1772,  the  Little  Corn  Planter,  a most  intelligent  Chero- 
kee chief,  narrated,  that  the  Shawnees,  a hundred  years  be- 
fore, by  the  permission  of  his  nation,  removed  from  the  Sa- 
vannah river  to  Cumberland.  That  many  years  afterwards, 
the  two  nations  becoming  unfriendly,  the  Cherokees  marched, 
in  a large  body,  to  the  frontiers  of  the  Shawnees — and  divi- 
ding themselves  into  several  small  parties,  unexpectedly  and 
treacherously,  as  Little  Corn  Planter  expressed  himself — fell 
upon  the  Shawnees,  and  put  a great  many  of  them  to  death. 
The  survivors  then  forted  themselves,  and  maintained  a pro- 
tracted war  in  defence  of  their  possession  of  the  country.  At 
length  the  Chickasaws  became  the  allies  of  the  Cherokees ; 
and  the  expulsion  of  the  Shawnees  from  the  Cumberland  val- 
ley was  gradually  effected.  This  was  about  the  beginning 
of  the  last  century.  A few  years  later,  when  Monsieur  Char- 
1714  $ leviHe  opened  a store  where  Nashville  now  is,  he  oc- 
( cupied  this  fort  of  the  Shawnees,  as  his  dwelling. 
They  were  then,  and  had  been  for  several  years,  so  harassed 
by  their  enemies,  that  small  parties  of  them  had  been,  for  a 
long  time,  gradually  withdrawing  from  the  country  ; and  their 
number  had  become  so  inconsiderable,  that  they  determined 
to  abandon  Cumberland  entirely,  and  soon  after  did  so.  The 
Chickasaws,  hearing  of  the  intended  removal  of  the  Shawnees, 
resolved  to  strike  an  effectual  blow  against  them,  and,  if  pos- 
sible, possess  themselves  of  their  stores.  For  this  purpose,  a 
large  party  of  Chickasaw  warriors  posted  themselves  on  both 
sides  of  Cumberland,  above  the  mouth  of  Harpeth,  provided 
with  canoes,  to  prevent  escape  by  water.  Their  attack  was 
successful.  All  the  Shawnees  were  killed,  and  their  property 
was  captured  by  the  Chickasaws. 

The  hostilities  between  these  tribes  not  being  brought  to  a 
close,  by  any  formal  treaty  of  peace,  they  continued  to  destroy 
each  other  as  often  as  opportunity  offered.  At  length,  afraid 
of  meeting  each  other,  all  of  these  tribes  wholly  forsook  the 
country  ; and  for  sixty  years  it  remained  not  only  unoccupied 
by  either,  but  was  seldom  visited  by  a hunting  party.  In  this 


80 


CHICKASAWS. 


way,  when  it  was  first  explored  and  began  to  be  settled  by 
the  whites,  the  whole  country  west  of  Cumberland  mountain 
was  found  uninhabited,  and  abounding  with  all  the  wild  beasts 
of  the  forest. 

Small  parties  of  wandering  Shawnees  occasionally  infested 
the  frontiers,  and  from  their  familiarity  with  the  mountains, 
the  rivers,  and  the  paths  to  and  from  the  country,  were,  able 
to  inflict  serious  damage  to  the  infant  settlements.  A part 
of  the  banditti  who  afterwards  infested  the  narrows  of  the 
Tennessee  river,  and  committed  such  enormous  outrages  on 
emigrants  and  navigators,  at  these  celebrated  passes,  were 
Shawnees. 

In  the  map  accompanying  Adair’s  book,  the  river  from 
the  head  of  Holston  to  the  confluence  of  the  Tennessee  and 
Ohio,  is  called  Cherake.  The  Cumberland  is  called  Old 
Shauvanon,  or  river  of  the  Shawnees.  Near  the  source  of 
the  latter  stream,  a tributary  of  the  Tennessee  takes  its  rise  ; 
it  is  probably  intended  for  the  modern  Clinch.  The  Hiwassee 
is  called  Euphasee,  of  which  Chestoe  is  a confluent.  Ten- 
nase  is  the  stream  now  known  as  Little  Tennessee. 

CHICKASAWS. 

This  nation  of  Indians  inhabited  the  country  east  of  the 
Mississippi,  and  north  of  the  Choctaw  boundary ; their  vil- 
lages and  settlements  were  generally  south  of  the  35th  degree 
of  north  latitude,  but  they  claimed  all  the  territory  within  the 
present  States  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  which  lies  between 
the  Tennessee  and  Mississippi  rivers,  and  a considerable  por- 
tion north  of  the  former.  These  they  claimed  as  hunting 
grounds,  though  they  had  few  or  no  permanent  settlements 
within  them.  Tradition  assigns  to  this  tribe,  when  they  first 
emigrated  to  this  country,  a very  considerable  population, 
but  when  Adair  first  visited  them,  (1735,)  the  Chickasaw 
warriors  were  estimated  below  five  hundred.  Though 
thus  inconsiderable  in  numbers,  the  Chickasaws  were  war- 
like and  valiant.  They  exercised  an  unwonted  influence 
over  the  Natches,  Choctaws  and  other  tribes.  Their  peace- 
able but  brave  warriors,  were  instrumental  in  preventing 
hostilities  between  their  more  numerous  neighbouring  tribes, 
or  in  concentrating  their  hostile  operations  against  the 


UCHEES,  MUSKOGEES  AND  CHEROKEES. 


81 


French  and  Spaniards.  Generally  they  were  the  friends  and 
allies  of  the  Anglo-Americans. 

At  the  time  of  De  Soto’s  invasion,  this  tribe,  as  has  been  al- 
ready mentioned,  occupied  the  same  territory  which  has  since 
been  the  seat  of  that  nation,  extending  south  from  the  mouth 
of  the  Tennessee  river,  to  the  country  of  the  Natches  and 
Choctaws.  Chickasaw  tradition  assigns  to  this  tribe  a resi- 
dence, at  one  time,  upon  the  Savannah.  Chonubbee,  one  of 
their  chieftains,  said,  that  when  his  tribe  occupied  the  country 
opposite  to  and  east  of  Augusta,  Georgia,  hostilities  arose 
between  their  people  and  the  Creeks,  and  forced  a great 
part  of  them  to  migrate  to  the  country  bordering  on  the 
Mississippi,  while  another  fragment  of  their  tribe  was  sub- 
dued by,  and  became  incorporated  with,  the  Creeks.  As  late 
as  1795,  the  Chickasaws  presented  to  Congress  their  claim 
for  lands  on  the  Savannah. 

There  is  a close  affinity  between  the  Chickasaws  and 
Choctaws,  in  their  physical  appearances,  their  languages, 
customs,  traditions  and  laws.  These  tribes  are  believed  to 
have  had  a common  origin. 

UCHEES. 

A small  tribe  of  Uchees  once  occupied  the  country  near 
the  mouth  of  Hiwassee.  Their  warriors  were  exterminated 
in  a desperate  battle  with  the  Cherokees.  Little  else  is 
known  of  them. 

MUSKOGEE  OR  CREEKS. 

Fragments  of  this  powerful  tribe  occasionally  lived  on  the 
southern  boundary  of  Tennessee,  but  never  formed  a perma- 
nent settlement  in  it. 

CHEROKEES. 

Adair  says  of  the  Cherokees,  “ their  national  name  is  derived 
from  Chee-ra — fire — which  is  their  reputed  lower  heaven? 
and  hence  they  call  their  magi,  Cheera-tahge,  men  possessed  of 
the  divine  fire.  The  natives  make  two  divisions  of  their  coun- 
try, which  they  term  Ayrate  and  Ottare,  signifying  low  and 
6 


82 


SILVER  MINE  IN  TENNESSEE. 


mountainous.  The  former  is  on  the  head  branches  of  the 
beautiful  Savannah,  and  the  latter  on  those  of  the  eastern- 
most river  of  the  great  Mississippi.” 

The  same  writer  says,  that  forty  years  before  the  time  he 
wrote,  (1775,)  the  Cherokees  had  sixty-four  populous  towns, 
and  that  the  old  traders  estimated  their  fighing  men  at  above 
six  thousand.  The  frequent  wars  between  the  Over-hill 
Towns  and  the  northern  Indians,  and  between  the  Middle 
and  Lower  Towns  and  the  Muskogee  or  Creek  Indians,  had 
greatly  diminished  the  number  of  the  warriors,  and  con- 
tracted the  extent  of  their  settlements. 

“ Within  twenty  miles  of  the  late  Fort  Loudon,”  continues 
Mr.  Adair,  “ there  is  a great  plenty  of  whet-stones  for  razors, 
of  red,  white  and  black  colours.  The  silver  mines  are  so  rich, 
that  by  digging  about  ten  yards  deep,  some  desperate  va- 
grants found  at  sundry  times,  so  much  rich  ore,  as  to  enable 
them  to  counterfeit  dollars  to  a great  amount,  a horse-load  of 
which  was  detected,  in  passing  for  the  purchase  of  negroes 
at  Augusta.”  He  also  mentions  load  stone  as  being  found 
there  and  at  Cheowhee,  and  also  a variety  of  precious 
stones,  of  “various  colour  and  beautiful  lustre,  clear  and 
very  hard.”  A tradition  still  continues  of  the  existence  of 
the  silver  mine  mentioned  thus  by  Adair.  It  is  derived  from, 
hunters  and  traders  who  had  seen  the  locality,  and  assisted 
in  smelting  the  metal.  After  the  whites  had  settled  near 
and  began  to  encroach  upon  the  Over-hill  towns,  their  inhabi- 
tants began  to  withhold  all  knowledge  of  the  mines  from  the 
traders,  apprehending  that  their  cupidity  for  the  precious 
metals  would  lead  to  an  appropriation  of  the  mines,  and  the 
ultimate  expulsion  of  the  natives  from  the  country.  The  late 
Mr.  De  Lozier,  of  Sevier  county,  testified  to  the  existence  and 
richness  of  mines  of  silver,  one  of  which  he  had  worked  at,  in 
the  very  section  of  the  Cherokee  country  described  by  Adair. 

The  Cherokee  tribe  is  closely  identified  with  the  settlement 
and  history  of  Tennessee.  Their  nation,  and  some  of  their 
villages,  are  frequently  mentioned  in  the  accounts  of  De 
Soto’s  invasion,  and  the  journals  of  other  explorers  and 
adventurers  into  the  interior  of  the  south-west.  They  were 
formidable  alike  for  their  numbers  and  their  passion  for  war. 


MARTIAL  SPIRIT  OF  CHEROKEES. 


83 


The  frontier  of  Virginia,  the  Carolinas,  and  Georgia,  all  suf- 
fered from  their  vigour  and  their  enterprise  ; and  these  pages 
will  hereafter  abound  with  instances  of  their  revenge,  their 
perfidy,  and  their  courage.  They  were  the  mountaineers  of 
aboriginal  America,  and,  like  all  other  mountaineers,  adored 
their  country,  and  held  on  to  and  defended  it  with  a heroic 
devotion — a patriotic  constancy,  and  an  unyielding  tenacity, 
which  cannot  be  too  much  admired  or  eulogized. 

“ Si  Pergama  dextra 

Defendi  possent:  etiam  liac  defensa  fuissent.” 

The  native  land  of  the  Cherokee  was  the  most  inviting 
and  beautiful  section  of  the  United  States,  lying  upon  the 
sources  of  the  Catawba  and  the  Yadkin — upon  Keowee, 
Tugaloo,  Flint,  Etowah  and  Coosa,  on  the  east  and  south, 
and  several  of  the  tributaries  of  the  Tennessee  on  the  west 
and  north. 

This  tribe,  inhabiting  the  country  from  which  the  southern 
confluents  of  the  Tennessee  spring,  gave  their  name,  at  first 
to  that  noble  stream.  In  the  earlier  maps,  the  Tennessee  is 
called  the  Cherokee  river.  In  like  manner,  the  name  of  this 
tribe  also  designated  the  mountains  near  them.  Currahee 
is  only  a corruption  of  Cherokee,  and  in  the  maps  and  trea- 
ties where  it  is  thus  called,  it  means  the  mountains  of  the 
Cherokees. 

Of  the  martial  spirit  of  this  tribe,  abundant  evidence  will 
be  hereafter  given.  In  the  hazardous  enterprises  of  war,  they 
were  animated  by  a restless  spirit  which  goaded  them  into 
new  exploits,  and  to  the  acquisition  of  a fresh  stock  of  mar- 
tial renown.  The  white  people,  for  some  years  previous  to 
1730,  interposed  their  good  offices  to  bring  about  a pacifica- 
tion between  them  and  the  Tuscaroras,  with  whom  they  had 
long  waged  incessant  war.  The  reply  of  the  Cherokees  was  : 
“ We  cannot  live  without  war.  Should  we  make  peace  with 
the  Tuscaroras,  we  must  immediately  look  out  for  some 
other,  with  whom  we  can  be  engaged  in  our  beloved  occu- 
pation.” Actuated  by  the  restless  activity  of  this  sentiment, 
there  have  been  but  few  intervals  in  the  history  of  the  Chero- 
kees, when  they  have  permitted  themselves  to  sink  into  the 
inglorious  arms  of  peace,  and  to  be  employed  only  in  the 


84 


CREEKS  EXPELLED. 


less  perilous  slaughter  of  the  wild  beasts  of  the  wilderness. 
They  have  hardly  ever  ceased  to  sigh  for  danger,  and  to 
aspire  to  the  rank  which  is  attained  by  acts  of  heroic  valour.* 
Under  the  promptings  of  this  feeling,  they  have,  at  different 
times,  been  engaged  in  war  against  the  colonists  of  England, 
of  France,  and  of  Spain,  and  also  against  other  Indian  tribes, 
with  varied  success.  They  assisted  in  the  reduction  of  Fort 
Du  Quesne  ; they  besieged  and  captured  Fort  Loudon  ; they 
met  the  entire  tribe  of  the  Uchees,  at  the  Uchee  Old  Fields, 
in  what  is  now  Rhea  county,  and,  exterminating  all  its  war- 
riors, compelled  the  surviving  remnant  of  that  brave  race  to 
retreat  to  Florida,  where  they  became  incorporated  with  the 
Seminoles. 

The  Cherokees  have  a tradition,  that  when  their  tribe  first 
crossed  the  Alleghanies,  and  settled  upon  the  Little  Tennes- 
see river,  some  Creeks  had  previously  occupied  the  country 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Hiwassee  river.  Being  near  neigh- 
bours, the  latter  pretended  to  enter  into  alliance  with  the 
former,  in  a war  which  they  were  then  carrying  on  against 
the  S'nawnees,  but  secretly  abetted  the  common  enemy. 
Their  treachery  became  known  to  the  Cherokees  while  cele- 
brating one  of  their  national  festivals  at  Chota,  when  they 
fell  suddenly  upon  the  unsuspecting  Creeks,  and  cut  them 
off.  A general  war  between  these  two  tribes  succeeded,  and 
was  carried  on  with  such  vigour  as  to  cause  the  Creeks  to 
abandon  all  their  settlements  and  villages  on  the  waters  of 
Tennessee,  and  to  leave  them  in  the  undisturbed  possession 
of  the  Cherokees.  Indeed,  the  latter  pushed  their  conquests 
as  far  as  the  great  Creek  Path,  and  then  crossed  over  to 
Coosa,  where,  at  a large  settlement  on  an  island,  they  by 
stratagem  drew  the  Creeks  from  their  towns,  in  a fleet  of 
canoes,  to  a place  on  the  bank  of  Coosa,  where  they  lay  in 
ambush,  captured  the  canoes  and  all  the  Creek  warriors, 
sacked  their  towns,  and  massacred  the  defenceless  inhabi- 
tants. The  English  name  of  the  leader  of  this  excursion  was 
Bullhead.  Cherokee  tradition  abounds  with  instances  of  the 
exploits  performed  by  this  Brave  against  the  Creeks. 

These  continued  successes  of  the  Cherokees  made  them 


Haywood’s  Aboriginal  History. 


CHOTA A CITY  OF  REFUGE. 


85 


quarrelsome,  arrogant  and  incautious.  They  took  offence 
at  the  Chickasaws,  with  whom  they  had  confederated  in  the 
expulsion  of  the  Shawnees,  and  in  prosecution  of  a hostile 
invasion  of  their  country,  had  advanced  as  far  as  the  Chicka- 
saw Old  Fields.  The  inoffensive  but  brave  owners  of  the 
country,  there  met  the  invaders  with  great  spirit.  A terrible 
conflict  ensued.  The  Cherokees  were  defeated,  and  withdrew 
by  the  way  of  the  Cumberland  river  and  the  Cany  Fork,  to 
their  own  villages.  This  signal  overthrow  of  the  flower  of 
the  Cherokee  nation,  took  place  about  1769  — the  period 
when  the  first  white  settlement  was  being  formed  on  Wa- 
tauga, and,  doubtless,  contributed  much  to  the  pacific  demea- 
nour manifested  for  some  years  by  the  neighbouring  Indians 
to  that  infant,  feeble  and  secluded  community.  The  favoura- 
ble moment  was  lost,  when  the  young  Hercules  might  have 
been  strangled  in  his  cradle,  by  a slight  exertion  of  the  usual 
vigilance  and  enterprise  of  the  Indian  sachem  and  warrior. 
A germ  of  the  Anglo-American  family  was  permitted  to  take 
root  and  to  grow  for  a time,  unmolested  by  Cherokee  opposi- 
tion, and  unrestrained  by  savage  wariness  and  caution. 

Every  Indian  tribe,  according  to  Adair,  has  a house  or  town 
of  refuge,  which  is  a sure  asylum  to  protect  a man-slayer,  or 
the  unfortunate  captive,  if  he  can  once  enter  into  it. 

Among  the  Cherokees,  Chota,  five  miles  above  the  ruins 
of  Fort  Loudon,  was  their  city  of  refuge.  At  this  place  an 
Englishman  took  refuge  and  found  protection,  after  killing  an 
Indian  warrior  in  defence  of  his  property.  His  dwelling- 
house  being  near  to  Chota,  the  English  trader  resolved,  after 
remaining  in  the  city  of  refuge  some  months,  to  return  home  ; 
but  he  was  assured  by  the  head  men,  that  although  perfectly 
safe  where  he  then  was,  it  would  be  not  only  dangerous  but 
fatal  to  him,  if  he  attempted  to  remove  thence.  The  Indians 
will  revenge  blood  for  blood,  unless  in  some  particular  case, 
where  the  eldest  kinsman  of  the  slain  is  allowed  to  redeem 
or  pardon. 

Among  the  distinguished  Cherokees,  was  Oconostota.  Of 
him  Adair  says  : “ Before  the  last  war,  Old  Hop , who  was 
helpless  and  lame,  presided  over  the  whole  nation,  as  Archi- 
magus,  and  lived  in  Chota,  their  only  town  of  refuge.” 


86 


EUPHONY  AND  BEAUTY  OF  INDIAN  NAMES 


Speaking  of  the  Indian’s  passion  for  revenge,  Adair  says  : 
“ I have  known  them  to  go  a thousand  miles  for  the  purpose  of 
revenge,  in  pathless  woods,  over  hills  and  mountains,  through 
large  cane  swamps,  full  of  grape-vines  and  briars,  over  broad 
lakes,  rapid  rivers  and  deep  creeks ; and  all  the  way  endan- 
gered by  poisonous  snakes,  if  not  with  the  rambling  and  lurk- 
ing enemy — while,  at  the  same  time,  they  were  exposed  to  the 
extremities  of  heat  and  cold,  the  vicissitudes  of  the  season,  to 
hunger  and  thirst — both  by  chance  and  their  religious  scanty 
method  of  living  when  at  war — to  fatigues  and  other  difficul- 
ties. Such  is  their  overboiling  revengeful  temper,  that  they 
utterly  contemn  all  those  things  as  imaginary  trifles,  if  they 
are  so  happy  as  to  get  the  scalp  of  the  murderer  or  enemy, 
to  satisfy  the  supposed  craving  ghosts  of  their  deceased  rela- 
tions.” 

Amongst  the  Cherokees,  when  first  seen  by  the  pioneers  of 
Tennessee,  there  were  no  cities  or  fortresses — scarcely  a con- 
siderable village.  Their  towns — settlements,  rather — were 
rude  huts  and  wigwams,  scattered  without  order  or  regular- 
ity, along  the  banks  of  some  stream  abounding  with  springs, 
and  convenient  to  a fishery,  a hunting  ground,  or  lands  for 
pasturage.  To  each  hut  was  attached  a small  patch  of  rich 
land,  from  which  the  cane  had  been  removed.  This  was  used 
as  a garden,  where  the  women  cultivated  beans,  Indian  corn, 
and,  at  a later  period,  apples,  peaches  and  plums.  These 
lots  were  often  without  fences — as  the  domestic  animals  which 
the  Indians  raised,  were  not  kept  near  their  houses,  but  roam- 
ed at  large  over  the  cane-breaks,  or  the  more  distant  prairies 
or  forests. 

The  Indians  designated  the  mountains  and  streams  of  their 
country  by  names  remarkable  for  their  euphony  and  beauty. 
Many  of  these  have  been  lost,  or  are  now  seldom  heard.  The 
loss  is,  we  fear,  irreparable.  Bay’s,  Stone, Iron,  Yellow,  Smoky, 
Black,  Grand-father  Mountains,  were  once  doubtless  known 
by  names  as  smooth  and  musical  as  Alleghanee,  Unaca,  Chil- 
howee  and  Chattanooga.  Dumplin,  Sandy  Mush,  Little  Dis- 
mal, Bull  Run,  Calf  Killer,  Sweet  Water,  and  High  Tower, 
though  sufficiently  significant,  would  grate  harshly  upon  the 
ears  of  a Cherokee,  who  had  bathed  in  the  waters,  luxuriated 


OF  RIVERS  IN  TENNESSEE. 


87 


in  the  shades,  formed  his  ambuscade  and  sung  his  war-song 
upon  the  banks  of  the  Allejay,  the  Oustinaila  and  the  Etowah. 

ABORIGINAL  NAMES  OF  THE  RIVERS  IN  TENNESSEE. 

From  information  derived  from  all  the  sources  within  his 
reach,  this  writer  believes  that  the  Tennessee  river  was  called 
by  the  first  explorers  and  geographers,  Reviere  des  Cheraquis, 
or  Cosquinambeaux — but  by  the  aborigines,  Kallamuchee  ; 
which  I take  to  be  the  aboriginal  name  of  the  stream,  from  its 
confluence  with  the  Ohio  to  the  mouth  of  Little  Tennessee. 
From  this  point  to  the  mouth  of  the  French  Broad,  it  was  called 
Cootcla  ; and  from  there  to  the  mouth  of  Watauga,  and  per- 
haps to  its  source  in  Virginia,  the  Holston  was  known  to  the 
Indians  as  Hogohegee.  The  French  Broad,  throughout  its 
whole  length,  was  the  Agiqua,  and  received,  on  its  northern 
bank,  the  Swannanoah  and  the  Nonachunkeh  (now  Nolli- 
chucky).  The  present  barbarous  Clinch,  had  the  more  eupho- 
nious name,  Pellissippi.  Little  River  was  the  Canot ; Little 
Tennessee  was  the  Tannassee  ; and  its  confluent,  Tellico,  has 
been  changed  from  Ptsaliko,  or  Saliko  ; Iliwassee,  was  pro- 
nounced Euphasee  ; Cumberland,  was  called  by  the  Indians, 
Warioto — but  by  the  French,  Shauvanon  ; Wolf  River  was 
the  Margot  ; Loushatchee,  Hatchee ; Sequatchee,  Ocoee. 
-Conesauga  and  Watauga  have,  happily,  escaped  the  Vandal 
mutilation  or  corruption  which  the  unfortunate  Holston, 
French  Broad,  Clinch,  Wolf  and  Forked  Deer  have  suffered. 

When  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee  settled  in  the  south- 
western part  of  Virginia,  and  the  coterminous  portions  of 
North-Carolina,  the  country  had  ceased  to  be,  perhaps  had 
never  been,  the  settled  residence  of  any  of  the  more  modern 
aboriginal  tribes.  At  this  time  it  was  the  common  hunting 
grounds  of  the  Shawnees,  Cherokees  and  other  southern  In- 
dians. But  east  and  north  of  the  Tennessee  river,  there  was 
not  a single  Indian  hut.  Still,  along  the  vallies  of  what  is  now 
East  Tennessee  and  South-western  Virginia,  lay  the  great 
route  and  thoroughfare  between  the  northern  and  southern 
Indians,  in  their  intercourse  with  distant  tribes,  in  their  hunt- 
ing excursions,  in  their  hostile  expeditions  and  in  their  em- 


88 


GREAT  INDIAN  PATH. 


bas.sies  of  peace  ; this  was  the  path  of  migration,  the  chase, 
the  treaty  and  savage  invasion.  Besides  its  central  position 
and  its  direct  bearing,  the  great  Apalachian  chain  could  no 
where  else  be  so  easily  ascended  and  crossed.  Abundance  of 
game,  water  and  fuel,  a healthful  and  moderate  climate,  an 
unoccupied  territory,  no  impracticable  swamps,  or  deep  and 
wide  streams  to  retard  their  journeyings,  were  all  considera- 
tions that  led  to  the  selection  of  this  path.  One  branch  of  it  was 
nearly  the  same  as  the  present  stage  route  passing  the  Big 
Lick,  in  Bottetourt  county,  Viginia  ; crossing  New  River  at 
old  Fort  Chissel,  near  Inglis’  Ferry,  Holston  at  the  Seven 
Mile  Ford,  thence  to  the  left  of  the  present  stage  road  and 
near  to  the  river,  to  the  North  Fork,  crossing  as  at  present  ; 
thence  to  Big  Creek  and  crossing  the  Holston  at  Dodson’s 
Ford,  to  the  Grassy  Springs,  near  the  residence  of  the  late 
Micajah  Lea  ; thence  down  the  waters  of  Nollichucky  to  Long 
Creek,  ascending  that  stream  to  its  source,  and  descending 
Dumplin  Creek  to  a point  a few  miles  from  its  mouth,  where 
the  path  deflected  to  the  left  and  crossed  French  Broad  near 
Buckingham’s  Island.  Near  this,  the  path  divided.  One 
branch  of  it  went  up  the  west  fork  of  Little  Pigeon,  and 
crossed  some  small  mountains  to  the  Tuckalechee  towns,  and 
so  on  to  the  Over-hill  villages  of  the  Cherokees.  The  other 
and  main  fork,  went  up  Boyd’s  Creek  to  its  source,  and  falling 
upon  the  head  branches  of  Allejay,  descended  its  valley  to 
Little  River,  and  crossing  near  Henry’s,  went  by  the  present 
town  of  Maryville,  to  the  mouth  of  Tellico,  and  passing 
through  the  Indian  towns  and  villages  of  Tellico,  Chota  and 
Hiwassee,  descended  the  Coosa,  where  it  connected  with  the 
Great  War  Path  of  the  Creeks.  Near  the  Wolf  Hills,  now 
Abingdon,  another  path  came  in  from  the  north-west,  which 
pursued  nearly  the  same  route  now  travelled  from  the  latter 
place  to  Kentucky,  and  crossing  the  mountain  at  that  remark- 
able depression  called  Cumberland  Gap.  It  was  along  this 
path  that  the  earlier  English  explorers  and  hunters  first 
passed  to  Kentucky,  and  through  it  the  Rockcastle  and  Ohio 
savages  often  penetrated,  to  molest  and  break  up  the  early 
settlements  upon  New  River  and  Holston. 

Dr.  Hardy,  of  Asheville,  North-Carolina,  believes  that  the 


TUMULI  AND  OTHER  REMAINS. 


89 


Cherokees  used  the  country,  near  and  around  the  sources  of  the 
French  Broad,  more  as  hunting  grounds  than  as  a place  of  resi- 
dence. This  opinion  is  sustained  by  the  fact,  that  the  streams 
and  mountains  of  that  region  do  not  bear  aboriginal  names. 
French  Broad,  Pigeon,  Sandy  Mush,  Ivy,  &c.,  are  the 
water  courses.  Blue  Ridge,  Pisgah,  Glass,  Smoky  and  Bald? 
are  the  mountains,  all  English  names.  No  considerable  war 
path  or  Indian  trace  passed  through  those  elevated  and 
almost  inaccessible  regions,  and  it  was  not  till  after  1787 
that  emigrants  passed  through  them. 

Little  of  the  former  history  of  the  Cherokee  tribe  can  be 
ascertained  from  their  traditions.  These  extend  little  further 
back  than  the  early  days  of  O-ka-na-sto-ta,  the  distinguished 
chief  who  visited  England  in  the  days  of  George  II.  From 
his  time  they  date  the  declension  of  their  nation ; he  was 
king  or  principal  chief.  His  seat  of  government  was  one  of 
the  Over-hill  towns,  Echota,  more  properly  E-tsaw-ty,  on 
Tellico  river,  since  the  property  of  the  late  John  McGhee,  Esq. 

Of  the  tumuli  scattered  every  where  through  the  country, 
and  of  other  remains  occasionally  found  in  and  near  them, 
the  Cherokees  know  nothing,  only  that  when  their  fathers  first 
took  possession  of  the  country,  they  considered  them  as  the 
vestiges  of  an  ancient  and  more  numerous  population,  further 
advanced  in  the  arts  of  civilized  life  than  their  own  people. 
For  these  relics  they  seemed  to  entertain  some  peculiar  vene- 
ration, and  never  appropriated  them  to  any  secular  purpose 
or  use. 

The  piles  or  heaps  of  rocks,  so  often  met  with  in  the  gaps 
or  crossing  places  of  mountains  or  ridges,  are  structures  very 
different  from  the  tumuli  proper.  They  are  believed  to  be 
more  modern,  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  they  owe 
their  origin  to  a superstition  not  uncommon,  if  not  general,  in 
all  heathen  countries.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Winslow,  American 
missionary  at  Oodooville,  in  the  district  of  Jafna,  makes  the 
following  statement  in  a journal  under  date  of  May  19,  1832  : 
“In  coming  over  a tract  of  land  which  would  be  called  in 
America  ‘ barrens,’  where  there  was  no  forest  and  but  little 
cultivation,  I saw  in  several  places,  near  the  foot  paths  lead- 
ing to  the  principal  bazaar,  large  piles  of  stones ; and  en- 


90 


ABORIGINAL  STRUCTURES. 


quiring  into  the  cause,  was  told  that  the  people,  in  passing- 
over  such  places,  are  in  the  habit,  each  one,  of  casting  a stone 
upon  heaps  begun  in  some  particular  spot,  as  an  offering  to 
an  evil  spirit,  who  would  otherwise  afflict  them  and  their 
families.” 

We  may  not  here  indulge  in  further  remarks  upon  the 
aborigines  of  America.  Were  it  otherwise  proper,  the 
theme  would  invite  us  to  inquire  into  and  examine  their 
physical,  domestic,  political,  social  and  religious  history ; 
their  manners,  rites,  arts,  traditions,  religion,  government  and 
laws.  The  analogies  which  are  found  betwen  these  and 
those  of  some  Asiatic  tribes,  not  less  than  their  physical 
affinities,  furnish,  if  not  the  foundation  of  legitimate  infe- 
rence, certainly  ground  for  plausible  conjecture  and  specu- 
lation. In  their  language  or  dialects,  is  presented  a subject 
for  philological  research  that  may  illustrate  the  connection 
which,  at  some  former  time,  existed  between  the  aboriginal 
population  of  America  and  the  rest  of  the  world.  But  upon 
these  topics  we  dare  not  enter.  It  must  be  sufficient  here, 
only  to  say  that  every  where  in  the  West,  we  find  ourselves 
surrounded  with  vestiges  of  different  nations  who  have  lived 
here  before  us;  and  that  we  may  infer  from  these  relics,  very 
different  degrees  of  progress  and  improvement  in  the  people 
who  constructed  them.  Of  these  there  are  three  classes. 
First : — those  belonging  to  the  modern  Indians  ; these  are  nei- 
ther numerous  nor  interesting — such  as  rude  axes  of  stone, 
pestles  and  mortars,  arrow  heads,  earthen  vessels,  pipes,  war 
clubs,  musical  instruments  and  idols,  carved  out  of  a spe- 
cies of  serpentine,  calumets,  &c.  Second  : — those  belong- 
ing to  or  constructed  by  a people  of  European  or  foreign 
descent ; such  as  medals,  coins,  beads,  crucifixes,  furnaces, 
&c.  Third : — those  belonging  to  or  made  by  a people 
evidently  demi-civilized,  who  anciently  inhabited  the  coun- 
try ; such  as  forts,  cemeteries,  tumuli,  temples,  altars,  camps, 
towns,  videttes,  fortifications,  &c.  These  structures  fur- 
nish unquestionable  evidence,  that  a dense  population,  at 
a remote  period,  occupied  this  country,  and  had  made  some 
advance  in  the  arts  of  civilized  life.  These,  though  they 
may  not  awaken  in  the  beholder  the  same  associations  as 


TRADITIONS  OF  TENNESSEE  TRIBES. 


91 


the  ruins  of  Rome,  or  the  majestic  desolations  of  Greece, 
are  certainly  not  entirely  devoid  of  interest,  but  excite  a 
feeling  of  veneration  for  the  memory  of  those  mighty  em- 
pires which  once  flourished  where  these  vestiges  of  their 
former  greatness  are  yet  found.  And  the  inquiry  forcibly 
presents  itself,  who  were  these  unknown  people  ? How  and 
when  have  these  nations  become  extinct  ? Did  some  swarm 
of  ruthless  invaders  from  our  northern  hive,  at  some  far  dis- 
tant period  of  time,  seeking  a more  genial  climate,  descend 
the  vallies  of  the  West,  and,  carrying  devastation  in  their 
march,  Vandal-like,  consign  them  to  oblivion?  Tradition,  a 
medium  of  communication  between  remote  ages  too  much 
undervalued,  is  not  altogether  silent  on  this  subject.  At  a 
very  noted  congress  or  treaty,  held  early  in  the  last  century, 
at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  Indian  delegates  in  attendance,  said  their 
ancestors  had  conquered  several  nations  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Great  Mountains,  viz:  “The  Cony-uch-such-roona,  the 

Coch-now-was-roonon,  the  Tohoa-nough-roonaw,  and  the 
Conutskin-ough-roonaw.” 

The  traditions  of  the  Tennessee  tribes  on  the  subject,  are 
indistinct  and  conflicting.  They  agree  in  this,  that  their 
forefathers  found  these  vestiges  here,  or  that  they  were 
always  here,  meaning,  thereby,  to  assign  to  these  ancient 
relics  an  indefinite  antiquity.  The  several  Indian  families 
in  America  have  been  well  compared  to  the  fragments  of  a 
vast  ruin.  Certain  is  it,  that  these  remains  imply  the  former 
existence  of  a population  so  dense  as  to  prove  that  it  was 
incapable  of  existing  in  a country  of  hunters  only,  and  that, 
possibly,  Tennessee  and  the  West  were  once  the  theatre  upon 
which  agriculture,  civilization  and  peace  exhibited  their 
benign  influence,  or  the  dreadful  battle  field,  where  the  lust 
of  dominion,  the  bad  passions  of  man  and  his  unhallowed 
ambition,  consigned  to  the  grave  and  to  oblivion  hecatombs 
of  human  victims,  and  made  the  fairest  part  of  God’s  crea- 
tion a desert  and  a waste.  Turning  from  the  contemplation 
of  this  gloomy  picture,  we  hasten  to  trace  the  progress  of 
civilized  man,  of  enlightenment  and  art  over  the  wilds  of 
Tennessee. 


92 


WATAUGA  —ITS  SETTLEMENT  AND  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  II. 

WATAUGA— ITS  SETTLEMENT  AND  GOVERNMENT. 

In  the  meantime,  the  treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix  had  given  a 
pretext  for  a general  disregard  of  the  king’s  proclamation, 
prohibiting  settlements  of  his  subjects  west  of  the  mountains, 
and  had  excited  afresh  the  spirit  of  emigration  and  explora- 
tion westward.  Land-mongers  penetrated  fearlessly  into 
the  wilderness,  while  masses  of  emigrants  had  accumulated 
along  the  boundary,  and  concentrating  themselves  at  the 
leading  avenues  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  western  waters, 
stood  for  a moment  impatient  of  longer  restraint,  and  cast- 
ing a wishful  look  upon  the  inviting  country  before  them. 
Tennessee  was  yet  without  a single  civilized  inhabitant. 
We  have  traced  the  approaches  of  the  Anglo-American  popu- 
lation to  her  eastern  boundary.  The  genius  of  civilization, 
in  her  progress  from  the  east, . had  passed  the  base  of  the 
great  Apalachian  range.  She  stood  upon  its  summit,  proud 
of  past  success — and,  ambitious  of  further  and  greater 
achievement,  surveyed  from  that  height  the  wide  field  before 
and  around  her.  On  her  right,  are  the  rich  vallies  and  luxu- 
riant plains  of  Kentucky  and  Ohio,  as  yet  imperfectly  known 
from  the  obscure  report  of  the  returning  explorer  or  the 
Shawnee  prisoner.  On  the  left,  her  senses  are  regaled  by 
the  luxuriant  groves,  the  delightful  savannas,  and  the  en- 
chanting beauties  of  the  sunny  south.  Far  in  the  distance 
and  immediately  before  her,  she  contemplates  the  Great  West. 
Its  vastness  at  first  overwhelms  and  astounds  her,  but  at 
the  extreme  limit  of  her  vision,  American  adventure  and 
western  enterprise  are  seen  beckoning  her  to  move  for- 
ward and  to  occupy  the  goodly  land.  She  descends  to  the 
plains  below,  and  on  the  prolific  soil  of  the  quiet  Watauga, 
in  the  lonely  seclusion  of  one  of  its  ancient  forests,  is  de- 
posited the  germ  of  the  future  State  of  Tennessee.  In  that 
germ  were  contained  all  the  elements  of  prospective  great- 


FIRST  SETTLEMENT  IN  TENNESSEE. 


93 


ness  and  achievement.  What  these  elements  were,  succeed- 
ing pages  will  but  feebly  develope  and  illustrate.  Toil, 
enterprise,  perseverance  and  courage,  had  planted  that  germ 
in  a distant  wilderness.  The  circumstances  that  surrounded 
it,  required  for  its  growth,  culture  and  protection,  wisdom, 
virtue,  patriotism,  valour  and  self-reliance.  American  was  to 
become  Western  character,  and  here  was  the  place  and  this 
the  time  of  its  first  germination. 

The  news  of  the  great  grant  from  the  Six  Nations  reached 

( the  frontier  settlement  soon  after  the  treatv  of  No- 
1 / 69  t _ 

( vember,  1768.  Dr.  Walker,  the  Commissioner  from 
Virginia,  had  returned  from  Fort  Stanwix,  and  brought  with 
him  an  account  of  the  cession.  He  is  the  same  gentleman 
who,  as  has  been  already  narrated,  had  twice  explored  the 
new  country,  and  now  bore  with  him  one  form  of  authority 
for  an  indefinite  extension  of  the  white  settlements  west- 
ward. The  Indian  boundary,  as  adjusted  at  Hard  Labour, 
in  October  of  the  same  year,  had  given  the  assent  of  the 
Cherokees  to  a further  expansion  of  the  Holston  settlements  ; 
and  late  in  December,  1768,  and  early  in  January  of  1769, 
was  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  first  permanent  establishment 
of  the  white  race  in  Tennessee.  It  was  merely  an  enlarge- 
ment of  the  Virginia  settlement  near  it,  and  at  the  time  was 
believed  to  be  upon  the  territory  of  that  province, — the  line 
dividing  Virginia  and  North-Carolina  not  having  been  yet 
run  west  of  Steep  Rock.  The  settlers  were  principally  from 
what  is  now  Wake  county,  in  North-Carolina.  Some  of 
them  had  been  among  the  troops  raised  by  that  province,  and 
sent,  in  1760,  for  the  relief  of  the  garrison  at  Fort  Loudon — 
others  of  them  had  wintered,  in  1758,  at  the  Long  Island  Fort, 
around  which  a temporary  settlement  had  been  made,  which 
was  soon  after  broken  up  and  its  members  forced  to  retire 
east  of  Kenhawa. 

Early  in  this  year  further  explorations  were  made.  One 
of  them  originated  with  Gilbert  Christian  and  William 
Anderson.  They  had  accompanied  the  regiment  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Bird,  and  were  so  pleased  with  the 
country  through  which  they  had  marched,  that  they  deter- 
mined to  explore  it  more  fully.  They  were  joined  by  the 


94 


CHRISTIAN  ANDERSON  AND  SAWYERS. 


late  Colonel  John  Sawyers,  of  Knox  county,  and  four  others. 
They  crossed  the  north  fork  of  Holston  at  the  present  ford, 
and  penetrated  as  low  down  that  stream  as  Big  Creek,  in 
the  present  county  of  Hawkins,  where  they  met  a large 
party  of  Indians.  “ They  turned  about  and  went  back  up  the 
river  ten  or  fifteen  miles,  and  concluded  to  return  home. 
About  twenty  miles  above  the  North  Fork,  they  found,  upon 
their  return,  a cabin  on  every  spot  where  the  range  was 
good,  and  where  only  six  weeks  before  nothing  was  to  be 
seen  but  a howling  wilderness.  When  they  passed  by  before, 
on  their  outward  destination,  they  found  no  settlers  on  Hol- 
ston, save  three  families  on  the  head  springs  of  that  river.”* 
So  impetuous  was  the  current  of  population  westward. 

Of  those  who  ventured  farthest  into  the  wilderness  with 
their  families,  was  Capt.  William  Bean.  He  came  from  Pitt- 
sylvania county,  Va.,  and  settled  early  in  17G9  on  Boon’s  Creek, 
a tributary  of  Watauga,  in  advance  of  Carter  and  others, 
who  soon  after  settled  upon  that  stream.  His  son,  Russell 
Bean,  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  what  is  now  Tennes- 
see. Captain  Bean  had  hunted  with  Boon,  knew  his  camp, 
and  selected  this  as  the  place  of  his  settlement  on  the  ac- 
count of  its  abundant  game.  His  cabin  was  not  far  from 
Watauga.  He  was  an  intrepid  man,  and  will  be  mentioned 
hereafter.  Bean’s  Station  was  afterwards  settled  by  him. 

But  explorations  were  not  confined  to  the  country  since 
known  as  East  Tennessee.  A glimpse  had  been  obtained 
by  Findley,  Boon  and  Smith,  of  those  portions  of  Kentucky 
and  Middle  Tennessee  lying  upon  the  Cumberland  river. 
It  had  been  ascertained,  too,  that  the  entire  territory  between 
the  Ohio  and  Tennessee  was  unoccupied  by  any  aboriginal 
tribe,  and  that  it  was  the  hunting  ground  and  often  the  bat- 
tle field  of  the  adjoining  Indian  nations.  Possessed  by  none 
of  these  for  residence  or  cultivation,  it  presented  an  inviting 
field  for  further  exploration  and  future  settlement.  It  had 
been  represented,  also,  as  a.  country  of  boundless  fertility  and 
inconceivably  beautiful.  Men  of  hardy  enterprise  and  fear- 
less spirit  were  at  hand  to  explore  and  occupy  it.  The  pio- 


* Haywood. 


STATION  AT  FRENCH  LICK. 


95 


neers  of  civilization  in  the  West, — the  trader,  the  hunter,  the 
surveyor, — were  already  on  the  frontier  ready  to  tempt  the 
dangerous  wilds. 

After  the  return  of  Smith  in  1766,  from  his  expedition  to 
the  Lower  Cumberland,  Isaac  Lindsay,  and  four  others  from 
South-Carolina,  were  the  next  adventurers.  They  crossed 
the  Alleghanies  and  the  Cumberland  at  the  usual  place — 
hunted  upon  the  Rockcastle  and  descended  Cumberland  as 
low  as  the  mouth  of  Stone’s  river.  Here  they  met  Michael 

Stoner,  who,  with Harrod,  had  come  from  Illinois  to 

hunt.  These  two  were  from  Pittsburg.  Previous  to  this 
time,  in  1764,  the  Shawnees  had  removed  from  the  Cumber- 
land and  Greene  rivers  to  the  Wabash,  and  no  Indians  were 
then  there.  At  the  bluff,  where  Nashville  now  stands,  some 
French  were  settled  and  had  a station.  Ten  or  twelve  miles 
above  the  mouth  of  Tennessee,  there  was  then  another 
French  station. 

The  first  of  May,  1769,  Daniel  Boon,  as  narrated  by  him- 
self, “left  his  peaceable  habitation  on  the  Yadkin  river,  in 
quest  of  the  country  of  Kentucky,”  in  company  with  John 
Findley,  John  Stewart,  and  three  others.  These  hunters  must 
have  passed  rapidly  through  Upper  East  Tennessee,  as  we 
learn  from  the  narrative  that  on  the  7th  of  June  they  were 
upon  Red  River,  the  northern-most  branch  of  the  Kentucky 
river.  In  December  of  that  year,  John  Stewart  was  killed 
by  Indians,  “the  first  victim,  as  far  as  is  known,  in  the  heca- 
tombs of  white  men,  offered  by  the  Indians  to  the  god  of  bat- 
tles, in  their  desperate  and  ruthless  contention  for  Kentucky.”* 
Of  Findley,  nothing  more  is  known  than  that  he  was  the  first 
huntef  of  Kentucky,  and  the  pilot  of  Boon  to  the  dark  and 
bloody  ground. 

On  the  2d  of  June,  1769,  a larger  company  of  adventurers 
was  formed,  for  the  purpose  of  hunting  and  exploring,  in 
what  is  now  known  as  Middle  Tennessee.  As  the  country 
was  discovered  and  settled  by  the  enterprise  and  defended 
by  the  valour  of  these  first  explorers,  we  choose  to  give  their 
names,  the  places  from  which  they  came,  and  such  details 
of  their  hazardous  journeyings  as  have  been  preserved. 


* Butler. 


96 


RAINS  EXPLORES  CUMBERLAND. 


May  the  time  never  come,  when  the  self-sacrificing  toil  and 
the  daring  hardihood  of  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee  will  be 
forgotten  or  undervalued  by  their  posterity.  The  company 
consisted  of  more  than  twenty  men.  Some  of  them  from 
North-Carolina  ; others  from  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Na- 
tural Bridge,  and  others  from  the  infant  settlement  near 
Inglis’  Ferry,  in  Virginia.  The  names  of  some  of  them 
follow  : John  Rains,  Kasper  Mansco,  Abraham  Bledsoe,  John 
Baker,  Joseph  Drake,  Obadiah  Terrill,  Uriah  Stone,  Henry 
Smith,  Ned  Cowan,  Robert  Crockett.  The  place  of  rendez- 
vous was  eight  miles  below  Fort  Cbissel,  on  New  River. 
They  came  by  the  head  of  Holston,  and,  crossing  the  north 
fork,  Clinch  and  Powell’s  rivers,  and  passing  through  Cum- 
berland Gap,  discovered  the  southern  part  of  Kentucky,  and 
fixed  a station  camp  at  a place  since  called  Price’s  Meadow, 
in  Wayne  county,  where  they  agreed  to  deposit  their  game 
and  skins.  The  hunters  here  dispersed  in  different  direc- 
tions ; the  whole  company  still  travelling  to  the  south-west. 
They  came  to  Roaring  River  and  the  Cany  Fork,  at  a point 
far  above  the  mouth  and  somewhere  near  the  foot  of  the 
mountain.  Robert  Crockett  was  killed  near  the  head  waters 
of  Roaring  River,  when  returning  to  the  camp,  provided  for 
two  or  three  days’  travelling  ; the  Indians  were  there  in  am- 
bush, and  fired  upon  and  killed  him.  The  Indians  were  tra- 
velling to  the  north,  seven  or  eight  in  company.  Crockett’s 
body  was  found  on  the  war  track,  leading  from  the  Cherokee 
nation  towards  the  Shawnees  tribe.  All  the  country  through 
which  these  hunters  passed,  was  covered  with  high  grass  ; no 
traces  of  any  human  settlement  could  be  seen,  and  the  pri- 
meval state  of  things  reigned  in  unrivalled  glory  ; though 
under  dry  caves,  on  the  side  of  creeks,  they  found  many 
places  where  stones  were  set  up,  that  covered  large  quanti- 
ties of  human  bones;  these  were  also  found  in  the  caves, 
with  which  the  country  abounds.  They  continued  to  hunt 
eight  or  nine  months,  when  part  of  them  returned  in  Aprib 
1770.* 

The  return  of  Findley  and  Boon  to  the  banks  of  the  Yadkin 


* Haywood. 


COLONEL  JAMES  KNOX  EXPLORES  CUMBERLAND. 


97 


1770 


and  of  the  explorers,  whose  journal  has  just  been 
given,  to  their  several  homes,  produced  a remarkable 
sensation.  Their  friends  and  neighbours  were  enraptured 
with  the  glowing  descriptions  of  the  delightful  country  they 
had  discovered,  and  their  imaginations  were  inflamed  with 
the  account  of  the  wonderful  products,  which  were  yielded 
in  such  bountiful  profusion.  The  sterile  hills  and  rocky 
uplands  of  the  Atlantic  country  began  to  lose  their  interest, 
when  compared  with  the  fertile  vallies  beyond  the  moun- 
tains.* A spirit  of  further  exploration  was  thus  excited  in 
the  settlements  on  New  River,  Holston  and  Clinch,  which 
originated  an  association  of  about  forty  stout  hunters,  for 
the  purpose  of  hunting  and  trapping  west  of  Cumberland 
mountains.  Equipped  with  their  rifles,  traps,  dogs,  blankets, 
and  dressed  in  the  hunting  shirt,  leggins  and  mocassins, 
they  commenced  their  arduous  enterprise,  in  the  real  spirit 
of  hazardous  adventure,  through  the  rough  forest  and  rugged 
hills.f  The  names  of  these  adventurers  are  now  not  known. 
The  expedition  was  led  by  Colonel  James  Knox.  The  leader, 
and  nine  others  of  the  company,  penetrated  to  the  Lower 
Cumberland,  and,  making  there  an  extensive  and  irregular 
circuit,  adding  much  to  their  knowledge  of  the  country,  after 
a long  absence,  returned  home.  They  are  known  as  the 
“ Long:  Hunters.” 


In  the  meantime,  the  infant  settlement  on  Watauga  was 
receiving  constant  additions  to  its  numbers  from  North-Ca- 
rolina  and  Virginia,  where  the  rage  of  visiting  unexplored 
regions  had  become  irresistible,  and  an  irrepressible  anxiety 
to  emigrate  succeeded.  Other  causes,  too,  were  exerting  an 
indirect  influence  upon  the  people  of  both  North  and  South- 
Carolina..  In  each  of  these  provinces,  civil  disturbances 
existed,  the  results  of  which  augmented  the  population  and 
stimulated  the  growth  of  the  new  community  germinating 
across  the  mountain.  , 

In  South-Carolina,  previous  to  1770,  no  courts  of  justice 
were  held  beyond  the  limits  of  the  capital,  and,  in  the  inte- 
rior of  that  province,  the  inhabitants  took  the  law  into  their 
own  hands  and  punished  offenders  in  a summary  way. 


* Monette.  t Marshall. 


7 


98 


DISCONTENTS  IN  NORTH- CARO  LINA. 


“ This  mode  of  proceeding  was  called  Regulation,  and  its 
authors  Regulators.”*  Those  who  opposed  them  were  called 
Scovilites,  after  their  leader,  Scovil,  commissioned  by  the 
governor  to  suppress  them.  Each  party  was  armed  and  pre- 
pared for  the  last  extremity. 

These  tumults,  and  the  bitter  animosities  they  engendered, 
drove  many  from  South-Carolina  to  the  settlements  on  IIol- 
ston  and  Watauga. 

In  North-Carolina,  disturbances  existed  also,  but  produced 
by  other  and  different  causes,  and,  unlike  those  just  narrated, 
were,  unfortunately,  not  quieted  without  bloodshed.  The 
inhabitants  of  this  province,  who  lived  upon  Lord  Granville’s 
reservation,  about  two-thirds  of  the  whole,  complained  that 
illegal  and  exorbitant  fees  were  extorted  by  officers  of  gov- 
ernment, that  oppressive  taxes  were  exacted  by  the  sheriffs^ 
and  that  the.  manner  of  collecting  them  was  arbitrary  and 
tyrannical.  The  people  had  long  petitioned  and  remonstrated, 
but  the  officers  remained  unpunished.  Another  fruitful 
source  of  general  discontent  increased  the  popular  clamour. 
In  1764  the  intentions  of  the  British  ministry  to  quarter 
troops  in  America,  and  to  support  them  at  the  expense  of  the 
colonies,  were  publicly  announced.  After  debate  in  the 
House  of  Commons,  it  was  unanimously  determined  that  the 
Parliament  of  Great  Britain  had  the  right  to  tax  the  Ameri- 
cans, but  it  was  not  till  March,  of  the  next  year,  that  this 
right  was  exercised  by  the  passage  of  an  act  for  raising  a 
revenue  by  a general  stamp  duty  through  all  the  American 
colonies.  This  act  excited  the  most  serious  alarm.  It  was 
received  as  a violation  of  the  British  constitution,  and  as 
destructive  of  the  first  principles  of  liberty,  and  combina- 
tions against  its  execution  were  every  where  formed.  Vir- 
ginia was  the  first  to  assert  colonial  rights,  and  to  deny  the 
claim  of  parliamentary  taxation.  To  the  bold  patriotism 
and  fervid  eloquence  of  Patrick  Henry,  is  due  the  immortal 
honour  of  this  early  avowal  of  the  inviolability  of  the  repre- 
sentative principle. 

In  North-Carolina,  the  public  mind  was- much  disturbed  by 
the  report  that  the  stamp  act  had  been  passed  by  Parliament. 

* Ramsay- 


COLONEL  ASHE  PREVENTS  THE  LANDING  OF  THE  STAMPS.  99 


This  intelligence  reached  Wilmington  shortly  after  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Assembly,  and  such  was  the  violence  exhi- 
bited by  the  members  of  the  popular  House,  that  Governor 
Tryon  suddenly  prorogued  the  legislative  body.*  By  the 
passage  of  the  stamp  act,  an  amalgamation  of  all  par- 
ties in  the  province  was  brought  about.  The  people  of 
North-Carolina  were  never  before  so  unanimous.  All  joined 
in  giving  a solemn  assurance  to  the  mother  country  that  the 
colonies  would  not  be  forcibly  taxed— an  assurance  that  was 
nobly,  though  not  unanimously,  enforced,  and  which  achieved 
the  freedom  of  America. f Col.  Ashe,  on  the  approach  of 
the  stamp  ship,  embodied  a company  of  militia,  and  held 
himself  ready  for  battle.  The  odious  freight  was  never 
landed,  and  the  fiery  impetuosity  of  the  colonel,  aided  by  the 
enthusiasm  of  the  whole  people,  arrested  the  stamp  master, 
conducted  him  to  the  market  house,  where,  in  the  presence 
of  the  assembled  multitude,  he  swore  a solemn  oath  never 
to  perform  the  duties  of  his  office. 

The  subsequent  repeal  of  the  odious  stamp  act  was  insuffi- 
cient to  appease  the  growing  discontent,  or  to  repress  the 
insurrectionary  tendencies  of  the  people.  The  extortions  of 
the  officers  were  continued,  and  the  taxes  were  multiplied. 
Besides,  the  office  holders  were  all  foreigners,  who,  not  con- 
tent with  having  engrossed  the  stations  of  authority  and  hon- 
our in  their  adopted  country,  endeavoured  to  revel  upon  the 
hard  earnings  of  an  agricultural  and  primitive  people.  The 
trade,  too,  of  the  province  was  monopolized  by  foreign  mer- 
chants, “ who  came  in  shoals,  to  get  rich  and  to  get  conse- 
quence. The  poor  man  was  treated  with  disdain,  because 
unable  to  contribute  to  their  emoluments.  He  was  excluded 
from  their  society,  unless  when  he  was  to  be  reminded  of  his 
insignificance,  and  to  be  told  with  brutal  freedom  of  the  low 
rank  which  he  held.”J  Nothing  is  more  offensive  to  correct 
taste,  virtuous  sentiment  and  just  discernment,  than  the  up- 
start consequence  and  fictitious  importance  engendered  by 
sudden  or  unexpected  accumulation.  This  hauteur  is  the 
more  intolerable  and  annoying,  as  it  is  never  accompanied 
with  intellectual  or  moral  worth. 

*May  18,1765.  + Jones.  % Haywood. 


100 


RESOLVES  OF  THE  REGULATORS. 


Such  were  the  outrages,  political  and  domestic,  that  dis- 
quieted the  people  of  North-Carol ina.  The  perpetrators 
of  the  former  were  the  men  in  power,  who  were  appointed 
by  law  to  redress  the  wrongs  and  protect  the  rights  of  the 
people.  Those  who  were  injured  met  and  petitioned  for  re- 
lief, and  made  representations  of  the  mal-practices  from 
which  they  had  suffered.  Their  petitions  were  rejected  and 
treated  with  disdain.  They  held  several  meetings,  assumed 
the  name  of  Regulators,  and  resolved  “to  pay  no  more  taxes, 
until  they  were  satisfied  that  the  tax  was  agreeable  to  law, 
and  should  be  applied  to  the  purposes  therein  mentioned  ; to 
pay  no  officer  any  higher  fees  than  the  law  allows,  to  attend 
their  meeting  of  conference  ; to  consult  our  representatives  on 
the  amendment  of  such  laws  as  may  be  found  grevious  or 
unnecessary  ; to  choose  more  suitable  men  for  burgesses  and 
vestrymen,  than  we  have  heretofore  done,  and  to  petition  the 
Assembly,  Governor,  Council,  King  and  Parliament  for  re- 
dress, in  such  grievances  as  in  the  course  of  the  undertaking 
may  occur ; and  to  inform  one  another,  learn,  know  and  en- 
joy, all  the  privileges  and  liberties  that  are  allowed  and 
were  settled  on  us  by  our  worthy  ancestors,  the  founders  of 
our  present  constitution,  in  order  to  preserve  it  on  its  ancient 
foundation,  that  it  may  stand  firm  and  unshaken.”  In  the 
public  and  documentary  proceedings  of  the ’Regulators  we 
see  nothing  to  blame  and  much  to  admire.  “ On  these  prin- 
ciples, and  to  this  extent  of  opposition,  the  whole  western 
counties  were  agreed.  The  most  sober  and  sedate  in  the 
community  were  united  in  resisting  the  tyranny  of  unjust  and 
exorbitant  taxes,  and  had  been  aroused  to  a degree  of  violence 
and  opposition,  difficult  to  manage  and  hard  to  quell.  And  the 
more  restless,  and  turbulent,  and  unprincipled  parts  of  society, 
equally  aggrieved  and  more  ungovernable,  cast  themselves  in 
as  part  of  the  resisting  mass  of  population,  with  little  to  gain, 
but  greater  license  for  their  unprincipled  passions  ; and  little 
to  lose,  could  they  escape  confinement  and  personal  punish- 
ment. Unjustifiable  acts  perpetrated  by  these,  were  charged 
upon  the  Regulators,  and  they  were  held  accountable  for  all 
the  ill  that  wicked  men  chose  to  do,  under  the  name  of 
struggling  for  liberty  ; while  it  is  well  known  that  the  leaders 


BATTLE  ON  THE  ALAMANCE. 


101 


of  this  oppressed  party  never  expressed  a desire  to  be  free 
from  law  or  equitable  taxation.  The  governor’s  palace, 
double  and  treble  fees,  and  taxes  without  law  or  reason, 
drove  the  sober  to  resistance  and  the  passionate  and  unprin- 
cipled to  outrage.  But  there  were  cases  of  injustice  most 
foul  and  crying,  that  might  palliate,  where  they  could  not 
justify,  the  violence  that  followed. 

“The  Regulators  continued  their  resistance  to  illegal  taxa- 
tion, two  or  three  years.  The  better  part  of  the  community 
were  averse  to  the  irregularities  of  those  lawless  spirits,  who> 
attaching  themselves  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  greatly  impeded 
its  progress  ; and  desired  to  govern  themselves  and  persuade 
their  neighbours  by  reason,  to  gain  the  justice  they  demanded. 
But  tumult,  and  violence,  and  rebellion  followed;  the  Regu- 
lators prevented  the  setting  of  courts,  and  otherwise  ob- 
structed the  execution  of  the  laws.  Governor  Tryon  met 
them  on  the  16th  May,  1771,  on  the  Alamance.  They  num- 
bered between  two  and  three  thousand.  The  governor’s 
troops  were  something  less.  The  Regulators,  being  poorly 
armed,  undisciplined  and  without  commanders  of  skill  or 
experience,  were  defeated.  “ It  is  the  unvarying  tradition 
among  the  people  of  the  country,  that  they  had  but  little  am- 
munition, and  did  not  flee  until  it  was  all  expended.  Nine  of 
them,  and  twenty-seven  of  the  militia,  were  left  dead  on  the 
field  ; a great  number  were  wounded  on  both  sides  in  this  first 
battle — in  this  first  blood  shed  for  the  enjoyment  of  liberty. 
We  cannot  but  admire  the  principles  that  led  to  the  result, 
how  much  soever  we  may  deplore  the  excesses  that  preceded 
and  the  bloodshed  itself.”* 

The  conduct  of  the  Regulators  is  viewed  in  the  same  light 
by  an  American  historian,  who  from  his  official  position  at 
the  Court  of  St.  James,  has  had  the  opportunity  of  examining 
in  the  British  State  Paper  Office,  all  the  documents  pertaining 
to  the  “Regulation.”  Pie  says,  speaking  of  them:  “Their 
complaints  were  well  founded,  and  were  so  acknowledged^ 
though  their  oppressors  were  only  nominally  punished.  They 
form  the  connecting  link  between  resistance  to  the  Stamp 
Act,  and  the  movement  of  1775  ; and  they  also  played  a 

* Foote. 


102 


TREATY  OF  LOCHABER. 


glorious  part  in  taking  possession  of  the  Mississippi  val- 
ley, towards  which  they  were  carried  irresistibly  by  their 
love  of  independence.  It  is  a mistake  if  any  have  supposed 
that  the  Regulators  were  cowed  down  by  their  defeat  at  the 
Alamance.  Like  the  mammoth,  they  shook  the  bolt  from 
their  brow  and  crossed  the  mountains.”* 

Thus  early  did  a great  political  wrong — “ taxation  without 
representation” — ulcerate  the  minds  of  the  subjects  of  the  King 
in  all  the  American  colonies.  A little  later,  did  regal  oppres- 
sion, in  exorbitant  and  illegal  fees  of  Crown  officers  and  their 
deputies,  produce  disaffection  and  resistance  in  Western  Ca- 
rolina. The  defeat  of  the  Regulators  on  the  Alamance  quelled, 
for  a time,  the  spirit  of  resistance  ; but  the  disaffection  re- 
mained, and  caused  the  voluntary  exile  of  thousands  of  indig- 
nant and  independent  freemen  to  the  western  wilds.  Re- 
mote from  the  seat  of  power,  and  free  from  the  oppressions  of 
regal  officers,  Watauga  gave  its  cordial  welcome  to  these 
honest-hearted  and  virtuous  patriots  : and  here  was  the  cra- 
dle of  the  infant  Hercules — Tennessee. 

The  tide  of  emigration  continued  from  Southern  Virginia, 
^ and  from  the  country  near  the  sources  of  the  Yadkin 
l and  Catawba,  in  North-Carolina,  and  was  spreading 
itself  beyond  the  limits  assigned  to  the  white  inhabitants,  by 
the  treaty  of  Hard  Labour,  in  1768.  Some  of  the  settlements 
were  within  what  was  supposed  to  be  the  Indian  territory, 
and  the  Cherokees  began  to  remonstrate  against  the  encroach- 
ment. To  avoid  Indian  resentment,  and  to  prevent  hostilities 
on  the  part  ofthe  Cherokees,  the  Superintendent  of  Southern  In- 
dian Affairs  took  measures  to  establish  a new  boundary  further 
west.  The  treaty  of  Lochaber  was  signed  on  the  1 8th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1770,  by  the  council  of  the  chiefs,  warriors,  and  head  men 
of  the  Cherokee  nation.  The  new  line  commenced  on  the  south 
branch  of  Holston  river,  six  miles  east  of  Long  Island — thence 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Kenhawa.f  This  boundary — the 
western  limit  of  the  frontier  settlements  of  Virginia  and  North- 
Carolina — was  a feeble  barrier  against  the  approaches  of  the 
emigrants,  who  came  in  greatly  increased  numbers  to  the 
West.  The  Holston  river  was  considered  as  the  line  dividing 
* Letter  to  D.  L.  Swain,  Esq.,  from  Mr.  Bancroft.  f Monette. 


ARRIVAL  OF  ROBERTSON. 


103 


North-Carolina  and  Virginia.  An  act  of  the  Legislature  of 
this  Province,  allowed  every  actual  settler  having  a log  cabin 
erected,  and  any  portion  of  ground  in  cultivation,  the  right  of 
four  hundred  acres  of  land,  and  so  located  as  to  include  his 
improvement.  A subsequent  act  extended  the  privilege  much 
further — allowing  such  owner  and  occupant  the  preference 
right  of  purchasing  a thousand  acres  adjoining  him,  at  such 
cost  as  scarcely  exceeded  the  expense  of  selecting  and  sur- 
veying it.  These  acts  greatly  encouraged  emigration  to  the 
West,  where  every  man,  with  the  least  industry,  could  not 
fail  to  secure  to  himself  a comfortable  home  and  a valuable 
estate  for  his  children.  Crowds  of  emigrants  immediately 
advanced  to  secure  the  proffered  bounty.*  When  the  line 
was  afterwards  run,  many  of  these  were  found  to  be  within 
the  limits  of  North-Carolina. 

But  the  misgoverned  Province  of  North-Carolina  sent  forth 
most  of  the  emigrants  to  Watauga.  The  poor  came  in  search 
of  independence — others  to  repair  their  broken  fortunes — the 
aspiring,  to  attain  respectability,  unattainable  in  the  country 
of  their  nativity.  In  the  wilderness  beyond  the  mountain, 
they  promised  themselves,  at  least,  exemption  from  the  super- 
cilious annoyance  of  those  who  claimed  a pre-eminence  above 
them.f  Others  came  prompted  by  the  noble  ambition  of  form- 
ing a new  community,  of  laying  broad  and  deep  the  founda- 
tion of  government,  and  of  acquiring,  under  it,  distinction  and 
consequence  for  themselves  and  their  children. 

Amongst  those  that  reached  Watauga  about  this  time,  was 
Daniel  Boon,  who  had  previously  crossed  the  mountain  upon 
a hunting  excursion,  and  had  been  as  low  as  Boon’s  Creek, 
in  the  present  county  of  Washington.  He  acted  as  pilot  to 
the  new  settlements,  and  continued  the  pioneer  to  civilization, 
from  the  Yadkin  to  the  district  of  St.  Charles,  in  Missouri, 
where  he  ended  his  remarkable  and  eventful  life,  in  1820,  in 
the  eighty-sixth  year  of  his  age. 

A little  after  Boon,  and  early  in  1770,  came  also  James 
Robertson,  from  Wake  county,  North-Carolina.  “He  is  the 
same  person,”  to  use  the  language  of  Haywood,  who 
was  his  countryman,  and  knew  him  well,  “ who  will  ap- 
* Monette.  f Haywood. 


104 


CHARACTER  OF  ROBERTSON. 


pear  hereafter  by  his'  actions,  to  have  merited  all  the  eulo- 
gium,  esteem  and  affection,  which  the  most  ardent  of  his  coun- 
trymen have  ever  bestowed  upon  him.  Like  almost  all  those 
in  America  who  have  attained  eminent  celebrity,  he  had  not 
a noble  lineage  to  boast  of,  nor  the  escutcheoned  armorials 
of  a splendid  ancestry.  But  he  had  what  was  far  more  val- 
uable : a sound  mind,  healthy  constitution,  a robust  frame,  a 
love  of  virtue,  an  intrepid  soul,  and  an  emulous  desire  for 
honest  fame.  He  visited  the  delightful  country  on  the  wa- 
ters of  Holston,  to  view  the  new  settlements  which  then 
began  to  be  formed  on  the  Watauga.  Here  he  found  one 
Honeycut  living  in  a hut,  who  furnis  ed  him  with  food.  He 
made  a crop  there  the  first  year.  On  re-crossing  the  moun- 
tains he  got  lost  for  some  time,  and  coming  to  a precipice? 
over  which  his  horse  could  not  be  led,  he  left  him  there  and 
travelled  on  foot.  His  powder  was  wetted  by  repeated  show- 
ers and  could  not  be  used  in  the  procurement  of  game  for 
food.  Fourteen  days  he  wandered  without  eating,  till  he 
was  so  much  reduced  and  weakened  that  he  began  seriously 
to  despair  of  reaching  his  home  again.  But  there  is  a Provi  - 
dence  which  rules  over  the  destinies  of  men,  and  preserves 
them  to  run  the  race  appointed  for  them.  Unpromising  as 
were  the  prospects  of  James  Robertson,  at  that  time,  having 
neither  learning,  experience,  property,  nor  friends  to  give 
him  countenance,  and  with  spirits  drooping  under  the  pres- 
sure of  penury  and  a low  estate,  yet  the  God  of  nature  had 
given  him  an  elevated  soul,  and  planted  in  it  the  seeds  of  vir- 
tue, which  made  him  in  the  midst  of  discouraging  circum- 
stances look  forward  to  better  times.  He  was  accidentally 
met  by  two  hunters,  on  whom  he  could  not,  without  much, 
and  pressing  solicitation,  prevail  so  far  as  to  be  permitted  to 
ride  on  one  of  their  horses.  They  gave  him  food,  of  which  he 
ate  sparingly  for  some  days,  till  his  strength  and  spirits  returned 
to  him.  This  is  the  man  who  will  figure  in  the  future  so  de- 
servedly as  the  greatest  benefactor  of  the  first  settlers  of  the 
country.  He  reached  home  in  safety,  and  soon  afterwards 
returned  to  Watauga  with  a few  others,  and  there  settled.” 
While  a nucleus  of  a civilized  community  was  thus  being 
formed  in  what  is  now  East  Tennessee,  the  adventurous 


LOWER  CUMBERLAND  EXPLORED. 


105 


hunters  whom  we  left  upon  the  Lower  Cumberland  were 
extending  explorations  in  that  part  of  the  country.  In  1769 
or  1770,  Mr.  Mansco,  Uriah  Stone,  John  Baker,  Thomas  Gor- 
don, Humphrey  Hogan,  Cash  Brook,  and  others,  ten  in  all, 
built  two  boats  and  two  trapping  canoes,  loaded  them  with 
the  results  of  their  hunting,  and  descended  the  Cumberland 
river — the  first  navigation,  and  the  first  commerce  probably 
ever  carried  on  upon  that  stream  by  Anglo-Americans. 
Where  Nashville  now  stands  they  discovered  the  French 
Lick,  and  found  around  it  immense  numbers  of  buffalo  and 
other  wild  game.  The  country  was  crowded  with  them. 
Their  bellowfings  sounded  from  the  hills  and  forest.  On  the 
mound  near  the  Lick  the  voyageurs  found  a stock  fort,  built, 
as  they  conjectured,  by  the  Cherokees,  on  their  retreat  from 
the  battle  at  the  Chickasaw  Old  Fields.  Descending  to  the 
Ohio,  they  met  with  John  Brown,  the  Mountain-leader,  and 
twenty-five  other  warriors,  marching  against  the  Senekas. 
The  Indians  offered  them  no  personal  injury,  but  robbed 
them  of  two  guns,  some  ammunition,  salt  and  tobacco.  De- 
scending the  river,  they  met  Frenchmen  trading  to  the  Illi- 
nois, who  treated  them  with  friendship.  The  voyage  was 
prosecuted  as  low  as  the  Spanish  Natches.  Here  some  of 
them  remained,  while  Mansco  and  Baker  returned  by  the  way 
of  the  Keowee  towns  to  New  River. 

In  the  fall  of  this  year  the  country  on  the  Lower  Cumber- 
1771  ( land  was  further  explored  by  Mansco,  in  company  with 
l John  Montgomery,  Isaac  Bledsoe,  Joseph  Drake,  Hen- 
ry Suggs,  James  Knox,  William  and  David  Linch,  Christo- 
pher Stoph,  William  Allen,  and  others.  Among  them  was 
an  old  hunter  named  Russell,  who  was  so  dim-sighted  that 
he  was  obliged  to  tie  a piece  of  white  paper  at  the  muzzle 
of  his  gun  to  direct  his  sight  at  the  game — and  yet  he  killed  a 
number  of  deer.  The  winter  being  inclement,  the  party  built 
a skin  house.  Their  ammunition  being  exhausted,  five  men 
were  left  to  take  care  of  the  camp,  while  the  rest  returned 
home.  During  their  absence  in  the  settlements  the  camp 
was  attacked,  as  was  supposed,  by  Northern  Indians,  and 
Stoph  and  Allen  were  taken  prisoners.  Hughes  escaped, 
and  met  the  company  returning  to  the  camp.  It  was  found 


10G 


WATAUGA  FORMS  ARTICLES  OF 


as  it  had  been  left — the  Indians  had  not  plundered  it.  The 
party  thence  extended  their  hunting  and  exploring  excur- 
sions—formed  a station  camp  upon  a creek,  which  is  still 
known  as  Station  Camp  Creek — each  hunter  made  a discov- 
ery, and  time  has  signalized  it  with  the  discoverer’s  name. 
Thus,  Drake’s  Pond,  Drake’s  Lick,  Bledsoe’s  Lick,  Mansco’s 
Lick,  etc.  In  the  absence  of  the  hunters,  twenty-five 
Cherokees  came  to  their  camp,  and  plundered  it  of  ammuni- 
tion, skins,  and  every  thing  it  contained.  As  they  left  no 
trail,  it  was  supposed  that  they  had  retreated  by  wading 
along  the  channel  of  the  creek — no  pursuit  of  them  could  be 
made.  The  hunters  soon  exhausted  the  remaining  ammuni- 
tion and  returned  to  the  settlements. 

The  Holston  and  Watauga  settlements  were  in  the  mean- 
1770  { time  receiving  a steady  stream  of  emigrants.  They  em- 
( braced  within  their  limits  men  of  very  different  and  in- 
deed opposite  traits  of  character.  Most  of  them  were  honest, 
industrious,  enterprising  men,  who  had  come  there  to  improve 
their  condition,  by  subduing  and  cultivating  the  new  lands  in 
the  West.  But  others  had  arrived  among  them,  who  had  fled 
from  justice  in  their  own  country,  and  hoped  to  escape  the 
demand  of  the  law,  and  the  punishment  of  crime,  by  a re- 
treat to  these  remote  and  inaccessible  frontiers.  There,  from 
the  existing  condition  of  affairs,  they  found  safety  from  prose- 
cution, and  certainly  from  conviction  through  the  regular 
channels  of  law.  North  of  Holston,  in  what  is  now  Sullivan 
and  Llawkins  counties,  was  then  believed  to  be  in  Virginia, 
and  the  inhabitants  agreed  among  themselves  to  adhere  to 
the  government  of  that  province,  and  to  be  governed  by  its 
laws.  The  line  separating  the  two  provinces  had  not  then 
been  extended  west  of  the  Steep  Rock.  South  of  Holston 
was  admitted  to  be  within  the  boundaries  of  North-Carolina. 
There  the  settlers  lived  without  law  or  protection,  except  by 
regulations  of  their  own  adoption.  Being  thus  without  any 
regular  government,  the  people  of  Watauga,  in  1772,  exer- 
cised the  “ divine  right”  of  governing  themselves.  They 
formed  a written  association  and  articles  for  the  manage- 
ment of  general  affairs.  Five  Commissioners  were  appointed, 
by  the  decision  of  a majority  of  whom  all  matters  in  contro- 


ASSOCIATION  AND  A COURT. 


107 


versy  were  settled ; and  the  same  tribunal  had  entire  control 
in  all  matters  affecting  the  common  good.  The  government 
was  paternal  and  patriarchal — simple  and  moderate,  but 
summary  and  firm.  It  was  satisfactory  and  sufficient  for  a 
number  of  years.  The  Articles  by  which  the  Association 
was  governed  have  not  been  preserved.  They  formed,  it  is 
believed,,  the  first  written  compact  for  civil  government  any 
where  west  of  the  Alleghanies,  and  would  make  a valuable 
and  exceedingly  interesting  contribution  to  the  historical  lite- 
rature of  the  Great  West,  and  a most  desirable  addition  es- 
pecially to  these  annals.  But  after  the  most  diligent  inquiry 
and  patient  search,  this  writer  has  been  unable  to  discover 
them. 

The  Watauga  settlers,  in  convention  assembled,  elected  as 
Commissioners,  thirteen  citizens.  They  were,  John  Carter, 
Charles  Robertson,  James  Robertson,  Zach.  Isbell,  John  Se- 
vier, James  Smith,  Jacob  Brown,  William  Bean,  John  Jones, 
George  Russell,  Jacob  Womack,  Robert  Lucas,  William  Ta- 
tharn.  Of  these,  John  Carter,  Charles  Robertson,  James  Rob- 
ertson, Zach.  Isbell,  and  John  Sevier,  it  is  believed,  were  se- 
lected as  the  court — of  which  W Tatham  was  the  clerk.  It 
is  to  be  regretted  hat  the  account  of  thelives  of  all  these  pio- 
neers is  so  meagre  and  unsatisfactory.  The  biography  of 
each  of  them  would  be  now  valuable  and  interesting.  Many 
of  them  will  be  hereafter  frequently  mentioned. 

Col.  John  Carter  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee^ 
^ and  a principal  and  prominent  member  of  the  Watau- 
\ ga  settlement.  He  emigrated  from  Virginia,  in  1771 
or  1772.  Intelligent  and  patriotic,  he  was  soon  a leader  in 
the  Watauga  Association,  and  became  the  chairman  of  its 
committee  and  of  the  court — which,  for  several  years,  com- 
bined the  legislative,  judicial  and  executive  functions  of  the 
infant  government  west  of  the  Alleghany.  His  administra- 
tion was  wise  and  popular. 

Charles  Robertson  emigrated  from  South-Carolina — was 
the  Trustee  of  the  Watauga  Association  ; and  to  him  was  the 
conveyance  afterwards  made  by  the  Cherokee  Indians,  for  the 
lands  purchased  or  leased  from  them.  He  was  distinguished  for 
his  great  good  sense  and  wisdom,  not  less  than  for  his  virtue. 


108 


CHARACTER  OF  JOHN  SEVIER. 


Of  James  Robertson  we  have  already  spoken.  He  soon  be- 
came distinguished  in  the  new  settlement,  for  sobriety  and  love 
of  order,  as  well  as  for  a firmness  of  character,  qualifying  him 
to  face  danger  and  defend  the  feeble  colony. 

Zachariah  Isbell  was  a fearless  soldier,  and  was,  for  years 
after,  engaged  in  the  military  operations  of  the  country. 

John  Sevier  was  one  of  the  Watauga  Committee.  His  char- 
acter and  services  throughout  a long  life,  will  be  frequently 
a theme  of  remark  to  the  close  of  these  annals.  This  may, 
therefore,  be  the  proper  place  to  introduce  his  family  to  the 
reader’s  attention. 

The  ancestors  of  Mr.  Sevier  were  French  Huguenots.  The 
family  name  in  France,  is  Xavier.  About  the  beginning  of 
the  last  century  they  emigi'ated  to  England.  Valentine  Se- 
vier, the  father  of  John,  was  born  in  London,  and  previous  to 
1740,  emigrated  to  the  county  of  Shanandoab,  in  the  colony 
of  Virginia.  Here  John  Sevier  was  born,  in  the  year  1744. 
The  opportunity  of  literary  improvement  was  small,  but  he 
used  it  diligently.  The  Earl  of  Dunmore,  then  Governor  of 
Virginia,  conferred  upon  young  Sevier  the  appointment  of 
captain  in  the  military  service  of  the  colony.  Not  long  after, 
the  family  emigrated  to  the  West,  and  settled  on  Holston,  in 
what  is  now  Sullivan  county.  The  father,  Valentine  Sevier, 
moved  from  there  to  Watauga,  where  he  settled  permanently? 
occupying  a' farm  on  that  river,  between  the  Sycamore  Shoals 
and  the  present  Elizabethton.  The  remains  of  part  of  the 
old  family  mansion  could  be  traced  in  1844. 

Captain  Sevier  inherited  some  of  the  vivacity,  ease  and 
sprightliness  of  his  French  ancestry.  He  was  fluent,  collo- 
quial and  gallant — frolicsome,  generous  and  convivial — well 
informed,  rather  than  well  read.  Of  books,  he  knew  little. 
Men,  he  had  studied  well  and  accurately.  Oral  communica- 
tions had  been  the  source  of  his  mental  culture  and  his  know- 
ledge. He  was  impulsive,  but  his  impulses  were  high  and 
honourable.  The  Chevalier  and  the  Huguenot  were  combined 
in  his  character.  He  exhibited,  in  good  proportions,  the  suav- 
iter  in  modo  and  the  fortiter  in  re.  He  was  without  pride 
— if  that  feeling  is  not  one  of  the  ingredients  that  constitute 
a laudable  ambition — for  he  was  ambitious — not  of  anything 


WATAUGA LEASE  FROM  INDIANS. 


109 


low  or  ignoble  : he  was  ambitious  of  fame,  character,  distinc- 
tion and  achievement. 

With  such  traits  of  character,  it  is  not  strange  that  Captain 
Sevier  at  once  became  a favourite  in  the  wilds  of  Watauga, 
where  a theatre  presented  itself  for  the  exercise  of  the  talents 
and  principles  which  characterized  “that  portly  young  stran- 
ger from  Williamsburg.” 

Early  in  this  year  the  authorities  of  Virginia  made  a 
ij  treaty  with  the  Cherokees,  by  which  a boundary  was 
( fixed  between  them,  to  run  west  from  the  White  Top 
Mountain,  in  latitude  thirty-six  degrees  thirty  minutes.  Soon 
after  this,  Alexander  Cameron,  a deputy  agent  for  the 
government  of  Great  Britain,  and  resident  among  the  Chero- 
kees, ordered  the  Watauga  settlers  to  move  off.  Some  of 
the  Cherokees  expressed  a wish  that  they  might  be  permitted 
to  stay,  if  they  would  agree  to  make  no  further  encroach- 
ments ; this  avoided  the  necessity  of  their  removal.  The 
inhabitants,  however,  became  uneasy  at  the  precarious  te- 
nure by  which  they  occupied  their  land,  and  desired  to  obtain 
a more  permanent  title.  For  this  purpose  they  deputed 
James  Robertson  and  John  Boon  to  negotiate  with  the  Indians 
for  a lease.  The  negotiation  succeeded,  and  for  an  amount 
of  merchandize,  estimated  to  be  worth  five  or  six  thousand 
dollars,  some  muskets,  and  other  articles  of  convenience,  the 
Cherokees  made  a lease  for  eight  years  of  all  the  country  on 
the  waters  of  the  Watauga.* 

Hitherto  the  settlements  had  been  confined  to  the  Upper 
Holston  and  to  the  Watauga.  About  this  time  another 
stream  south  of  them  was  found  to  present  strong  allure- 
ments, and  to  hold  out  great  inducements  to  emigrants  to 
settle  upon  it.  The  Nollichucky  finds  its  source  in  the  midst 
of  the  highest  mountains  in  the  United  States.  The  scenery 
near  it  is  romantic  and  Alpine.  Its  numerous  tributaries, 
descending  the  northern  slope  of  these  stupendous  heights, 
bear  upon  their  currents  the  soil  that  forms  and  enlarges  its 
rich  alluvial.  The  bottoms  were  covered  with  the  most 
luxuriant  cane-brakes  ; the  vallies  near  it  abounded  in  game, 
and  presented  the  most  inviting  prospect  of  present  succpss 

* Haywood. 


110 


BROWN  SETTLES  ON  NOLLICHUCKY. 


to  the  hunter  and  grazier,  and  of  a rich  requital  in  future 
for  the  toils  of  the  husbandman.  The  temptation  to  occupy 
it  could  not  be  resisted  by  the  emigrants,  and  Jacob  Brown, 
with  one  or  two  families  from  North-Carolina,  pitched  their 
tents,  in  1772,  upon  its  northern  bank.  Brown  was  a small 
merchant,  and  for  the  goods  that  were  carried  to  his  new 
settlement,  upon  a single  pack-horse,  bought  a lease  of  a 
large  tract  of  this  fertile  country  from  the  Cherokees.  Like 
that  on  the  Watauga,  the  property  advanced  for  its  purchase, 
was  reimbursed  by  selling  out  the  lands  in  small  parcels  to 
individuals  for  the  time  the  lease  was  to  last. 

The  boundaries  of  these  two  leases  are  not  distinctly 
known.  There  were  no  offices  in  the  country  at  that  time, 
in  which  such  instruments  of  writing  could  be  recorded,  and 
the  original  papers  have  probably  been  lost.  Brown’s  lease 
is  believed  to  have  embraced  lands  upon  both  sides  of  the 
Nollichucky.  The  writer  has  a deed  of  conveyance  now 
before  him,  from  Jacob  Brown  to  Richard  Trivillian,  for  two 
hundred  and  thirty-two  acres  of  land,  lying  on  the  south  side 
of  the  river.  The  consideration  is  one  hundred  pounds,  and 
the  title  is  not  a fee  simple,  but  only  a relinquishment  on  the 
part  of  the  grantor.  In  these  early  times,  and  among  these 
primitive  people,  little  regard  seems  to  have  been  given  to 
forms,  even  where  real  estate  was  concerned.  A transfer  of 
land  was  made  in  the  most  simple  mode.  Upon  the  back  of 
the  same  deed  from  Brown,  is  endorsed — 

“ For  value  received  of  eighty-five  pounds,  I do  hereby  assign  all  my 
right,  claim  and  interest  of  the  within  deed,  unto  George  Gillespie,  as 
witness  my  hand  and  seal. 

Richard  Trivillian.  (Seal.) 

Witness  present  test, 

Amos  Bird.” 

And  again  immediately  below — 

“ For  value  received,  of  Jeremiah  Jack,  I do  hereby  assign  all  my 
right,  claim  and  interest  of  the  within  deed,  as  witness  my  hand  and  seal. 

George  Gillespie.  (Seal.) 

Witness  present, 

Thos.  Gillespie.” 

The  present  name  of  the  river  is  a corruption  of  the  abo- 


WISDOM  AND  INTREPIDITY  OF  ROBERTSON. 


Ill 


riginal  Nonachunheh.  It  is  so  given  in  Brown’s  deed  of  con- 
veyance, and  also  in  the  plat  upon  the  same  paper.  In  his 
traffic  with  the  Indians,  and  in  his  negotiation  for  the  lease 
from  them,  Brown  had,  doubtless,  learned  the  true  pronunci- 
ation. Its  signification  is  rapid  or  precipitous,  and  is  exactly 
descriptive  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  stream. 

About  the  time  Robertson  was  forming  his  settlement  on 
Watauga,  and  a little  previous  to  the  first  emigration  to 
Nollichucky,  several  families  settled  in  Carter’s  Valley,  fif- 
teen or  eighteen  miles  above  the  present  flourishing  town 
of  Rogers ville.  This  country  being  north  of  Iiolston,  was 
then  believed  to  be  in  Virginia.  The  first  emigrants  to  it 
were  principally  from  that  province.  Two  of  them,  Car- 
ter (whose  name  the  valley  still  retains)  and  Parker,  after- 
wards opened  a store,  which  was  robbed  by  the  Indians  ; the 
depredators  were  supposed  to  be  Cherokees,  but  of  this  no 
certain  proof  was  obtained.  The  relations  between  them 
and  the  whites  had  recently  been  of  the  most  friendly  char- 
acter, and  mutual  confidence  was  not  destroyed  on  account 
of  this  robbery.  But  at  the  time  when  the  Watauga 
lease  was  executed,  an  occurrence  took  place,  which  had 
well  nigh  involved  the  then  feeble  settlements  of  Robertson, 
Carter  and  Brown,  in  hostilities  with  their  savage  neighbours. 
At  the  close  of  that  treaty,  a great  race  was  appointed  to  be 
run  at  Watauga.  The  occasion  had  brought  together  a large 
concourse  of  people  from  all  the  adjacent  settlements.  Many 
of  the  Indians  were  still  there  participating  in  the  athletic 
amusements  of  the  frontier  people.  Mischievous  white  men, 
from  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Wolf  Hills,  in  Virginia,  as  was 
believed,  among  others  were  present,  and  lurking  about  the 
place  where  the  race  was  run,  watched  an  opportunity  at 
the  close  of  the  day  and  killed  one  of  the  Indians.  This  act, 
alike  atrocious,  inhuman  and  impolitic,  gave  great  offence  and 
produced  much  alarm.  The  inhabitants  felt  that  it  was  not 
only  wrong,  but  that  it  would  expose  them  to  the  retaliatory 
vengeance  of  the  outraged  Cherokees.  At  this  crisis  the  wis- 
dom and  intrepidity  of  Robertson  saved  the  infant*  settle- 
ments from  extermination.  Pie  undertook  a journey  to  the 
Indian  nation,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  distant,  in  order  to 


112 


BOON  ATTACKED  IN  A DEFILE. 


pacify  them,  and  allay  the  irritation  produced  by  this  bar- 
barous and  imprudent  act.  The  attempt  was  hazardous  in 
the  extreme  ; but  the  safety  of  the  whites  demanded  the  mis- 
sion, and  he  proceeded  at  once  to  the  chief  town  of  the  Che- 
rokees,  met  their  head  men,  and  declared  to  them  that  his 
people  “viewed  the  horrid  deed  which  had  been  perpetrated, 
with  the  deepest  concern  for  their  own  character,  and  with 
the  keenest  indignation  against  the  offender,  whom  they  in- 
tended to  punish  as  he  deserved  whenever  he  could  be  dis- 
covered.” The  Indians  were  appeased  by  this  instance  of 
condescension  in  the  white  people,  and  of  the  discountenance 
which  they  gave  to  the  miscreant.  The  settlers  were  saved 
from  their  fury,  and  Robertson  began  to  be  looked  upon  as 
an  intrepid  soldier,  a lover  of  his  countrymen'  and  as  a man 
of  uncommon  address,  in  devising  means  of  extrication  from 
difficulties.* 

In  the  fall  of  1773,  Daniel  Boon  made  the  attempt  to  take 
1773  l his  family  to  Kentucky.  Before  this  time  no  white 
) female,  no  family,  had  crossed  the  Cumberland  range. 
Boon  prevailed  on  four  or  five  other  families  to  join  him,  and 
with  them  advanced  towards  Cumberland  Gap.  The  little 
colony  was  joined  in  Powell’s  Valley  by  forty  hunters,  well 
armed.  The  whole  formed  a caravan  of  eighty  persons. 
While  passing  a narrow  defile  in  their  march,  on  the  fifth  of 
October,  they  were  startled  by  the  terrific  yell  of  Indians,  in 
ambuscade,  by  whom  they  were  furiously  assailed.  Some 
of  the  men  flew  to  the  protection  of  the  helpless  women  and 
children,  while  others  of  them  rushed  to  encounter  the  enemy 
in  their  coverts.  A scene  of  consternation  and  confusion  for 
a moment  ensued ; but  the  Indians,  surprised  at  the  fierce 
and  resolute  resistance  of  the  men,  soon  fled  in  every  direc- 
tion. 

The  first  fire  of  the  Indians  killed  six  men  and  wounded 
the  seventh.  Among  the  killed  was  a son  of  Boon,  aged 
about  twenty.  The  party  fell  back  to  the  nearest  settlement, 
where  the  emigrant  families  remained  till  after  the  close  of 
Lord  Dunmore’s  war.f 

After  the  extension  of  the  British  dominion  over  West 
* Haywood.  f Monette. 


GREAT  NAUTICAL  ADVENTURE. 


113 


Florida,  encouragement  was  given  by  the  English  authori- 
ties to  emigration  thereto,  from  the  Atlantic  Provinces.  No 
country  surpassed  in  soil  and  climate  that  portion  of  Florida 
lying  upon  the  Mississippi  River,  and  emigrants  began  to 
seek  a route  to  it  through  the  interior,  and  down  the  Ten- 
nessee and  Ohio.  Many  of  these  stopped  one  season  and 
made  a crop  on  Holston,  sold  the  crop,  built  a boat,  and  per- 
formed the  difficult  and  dangerous  voyoge  from  the  Boat- 
yard to  Natches.  A higher  degree  of  nautical  adventure 
has  been  no  where  exhibited.  The  passage,  by  men  unac- 
customed to  navigation,  through  the  Boiling  Pot,  the  Skillet^ 
the  Suck,  the  Muscle  Shoals,  more  than  two  thousand  miles 
down  an  unexplored  river,  both  banks  of  which  were,  at  these 
places,  in  the  occupancy  of  Indians,  was  more  than  an  adven- 
ture, it  was  an  enterprise,  in  which  every  movement  was  ac- 
companied with  danger  and  probable  disaster.  Through  tfyis 
channel  Louisiana  and  Mississippi  received  some  of  the 
oldest  American  families.  Some  of  these  came  from  the 
Roanoke,  in  North-Carolina,  and  it  was  probably  the  first  An- 
glo-American settlement  upon  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi.* 
A large  number  of  surveyors  and  woodsmen  had  been 
sent  under  the  authorities  of  Virginia  to  the  wilder- 
ness of  Kentucky,  for  the  purpose  of  locating  and 
selecting  lands  under  royal  grants  and  military  warrants. 
This  was  viewed  by  the  Indians  as  an  encroachment  upon 
their  rights,  as  they  still  claimed  these  lands.  Hostilities  had, 
indeed,  already  been  commenced  by  the  Shawnees,  who  at- 
tacked the  party  of  Boon  the  October  previous.  The  murder 
of  the  whole  family  of  the  generous,  but  unfortunate  Logan^ 
who  had  been  the  friend  of  the  whites,  and  an  advocate  for 
peace  among  his  red  brethren,  aroused  the  vengeance  of  that 
bold  warrior  and  influential  chieftain.  The  Shawnees,  in 
alliance  with  the  warriors  of  other  northern  and  western 
tribes,  began  the  work  of  destruction  and  massacre,  in  de- 
tached parties,  on  the  whole  Virginia  frontier.  The  emer- 
gency was  met  by  Lord  Dunmore  with  great  vigour,  and 
measures  were  immediately  adopted  to  repress  the  hostilities, 
and  punish  the  audacity  of  the  enemy.  General  Andrew 
* Mai  tin’s  Louisiana. 


1774 


8 


114 


CAPTAIN  SHELBy’s  VOLUNTEERS. 


Lewis*  was  ordered  to  raise  four  regiments  of  militia  and 
volunteers,  from  the  south-western  counties,  to  rendezvous  at 
Camp  Union,  and  to  march  down  the  Great  Kenhawaf  to 
the  Ohio.  Captain  Evan  Shelby  raised  a company  of  more 
than  fifty  men,  in  the  section  of  country  now  included  in  the 
counties  of  Sullivan  and  Carter.  With  these  he  marched 
on  the  17th  of  August,  and  joined  the  regiment  of  Colonel 
Christian,  on  New  River.  From  this  place  the  regiment  pro- 
ceeded to  the  great  levels  of  Green  Brier,  where  they  joined 
the  army  of  General  Lewis.  On  the  11th  of  September,  the 
army  set  out  for  the  designated  point.  The  route  lay  through 
a trackless  wilderness,  down  the  rugged  banks  of  the  Ken- 
hawa — through  deep  defiles  and  mountain  gorges,  where  a 
pathway  had  never  been  opened.  Twenty-five  days  were 
consumed  in  slow  and  toilsome  marches.  On  the  6th  of  Oc- 
tober, the  army  reached  the  Ohio  and  encamped  upon  its 
banks.  The  camp  was  upon  the  site  of  the  present  town  of 
Point  Pleasant.  The  troops  being  upon  short  allowance, 
select  parties  of  hunters  were  kept  constantly  on  duty  to 
supply  them  with  food.  On  the  morning  of  the  10th,  about 
daylight,  two  of  the  men  belonging  to  Captain  Shelby’s  vol- 
unteer company,  James  Robertson  and  Valentine  Sevier, 
who  had  been  out  before  day  hunting,  very  unexpectedly 
met  a large  body  of  hostile  Indians  advancing  towards  the 
camp  upon  the  provincials.  They  were  on  the  extreme  left 
of  the  enemy,  and  fired  on  them  at  the  distance  of  ten  steps. 
As  it  was  yet  too  dark  to  see  the  assailants,  or  to  know  their 
number,  the  firing  caused  a general  halt  of  the  enemy,  while 
Robertson  and  Sevier  ran  into  camp  and  gave  the  alarm. 
Two  detachments,  under  Colonel  Charles  Lewis  and  Colonel 
William  Fleming,  were  immediately  ordered  forward  to  meet 
the  Indians,  and  break  the  force  of  their  assault  upon  the 
camp.  These  detachments  had  scarcely  proceeded  beyond 
the  sentinels,  when  they  encountered  the  enemy  advancing 
upon  them.  A most  violent  and  hard  fought  engagement 

* This  is  the  same  person  who  was  sent  by  the  Earl  of  Loudon,  in  1756,  to 
erect  a fort  on  the  Tennessee  River. 

t Anglice.  The  river  of  the  woods — now  known  as  New  River. 


BATTLE  OE  THE  KENHAWA. 


115 


ensued.  Fleming  and  Lewis  were  wounded  in  the  first  as- 
sault— the  latter  mortally — but  refused  to  leave  the  field 
until  the  main  line  came  to  their  relief.  The  contest  lasted 
the  whole  day,  with  varied  success — each  line  receding  or 
advancing  alternately,  as  the  fate  of  war  seemed  to  balance 
between  the  two  armies.  In  the  evening,  General  Lewis 
ordered  the  companies  commanded  by  Captains  Shelby, 
Matthews  and  Stewart,  to  advance  up  the  Kenhawa  River, 
under  the  shelter  of  the  bank  and  the  undergrowth,  so  as  to 
gain  the  rear  of  the  Indians,  and  pour  in  a destructive  fire 
upon  them.  In  the  execution  of  this  order,  the  men  were  ex- 
posed to  a galling  fire  from  some  Indians,  who  had  taken 
position  behind  a rude  breast- work  of  old  logs  and  bushes, 
and  were  from  that  point  giving  a deadly  fire.  One  of  Shel- 
by’s men,  the  late  John  Sawyers,  of  Knox  county,  wishing 
to  shorten  the  conflict,  obtained  permission  to  take  a few 
others  and  dislodge  the  Indians  from  the  shelter  which  pro- 
tected them.  His  bold  conception  was  gallantly  executed. 
A desperate  charge  was  made — the  dislodgement  of  the  In- 
dians was  effected,  and  the  three  companies  having  gained  the 
enemy’s  rear,  poured  in  upon  the  savages  a destructive  fire. 
The  Indians  fled  with  great  precipitation  across  the  Ohio, 
and  retreated  to  their  towns  on  the  Scioto. 

The  battle  of  the  Kenhawa  is,  by  general  consent,  admitted 
to  have  been  one  of  the  most  sanguinary  and  well  contested 
battles  which  have  marked  the  annals  of  Indian  warfare  in 
the  West.  On  the  part  of  the  provincials,  twelve  commis- 
sioned officers  were  killed  or  wounded,  seventy-five  non-com- 
missioned officers  and  privates  were  killed,  and  one  hundred 
and  forty-one  were  wounded.* 

Of  the  company  of  volunteers  from  what  is  now  East 
Tennessee,  Evan  Shelby  was  captain;  and  his  son,  Isaac 
Shelby,  lieutenant.  After  the  fall  of  his  colonel,  Captain 
Shelby  took  command  of  the  regiment.  This  was  early  in 
the  action,  and  through  the  rest  of  the  ‘day  Isaac  Shelby 
commanded  his  father’s  company.  “Two  privates,  Robertson 
and  Sevier,  had  the  good  fortune  on  this  occasion  to  make 


* Monette. 


116 


HEROIC  CHARGE  OF  SAWYERS. 


an  unexpected  discovery  of  the  enemy,  and  by  that  means  to 
prevent  surprise  and  defeat,  and  possibly  the  destruction  of 
the  whole  army.  It  was  the  design  of  the  enemy  to  attack 
them  at  the  dawn  of  day,  and  to  force  all  whom  they  could 
not  kill  into  the  junction  of  the  river.”  The  heroic  charge 
of  the  little  detachment  under  Sawyers  is  admitted  to  have 
had  a decided  influence  in  shortening  the  obstinate  conflict. 
Many  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  in  the  battle  of  Kenhawa, 
distinguished  themselves  at  a later  period  in  the  public  ser- 
vice. Thus  early  did  the  “Volunteer  State”  commence  its 
novitiate  in  arms. 

As  the  battle  of  Point  Pleasant  furnished  the  first  occa- 
sion for  the  display,  by  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee,  of  the  ad- 
venture and  prowess  which  have  since  so  signally  charac- 
terized her  volunteer  soldiery  in  all  periods  of  her  history,  it 
is  thought  proper  to  present,  at  this  place,  a list  of  Captain 
Evan  Shelby’s  company,  in  the  remarkable  and  patriotic 
campaign  on  the  Kenhawa. 

James  Shelby,  John  Sawyers,  John  Findley,  Henry  Span, 
Daniel  Mungle,  Frederick  Mungle,  John  Williams,  John  Ca- 
mack,  Andrew  Torrence,  George  Brooks,  Isaac  Newland, 
Abram  Newland,  George  Ruddle,  Emanuel  Shoatt,  Abram 
Bogard,  Peter  Forney,  William  Tucker,  John  Fain,  Samuel 
Vance,  Samuel  Fain,  Samuel  Handley,  Samuel  Samples,  Ar- 
thur Blackburn,  Robert  Handley,  George  Armstrong,  William 
Casey,  Mack  Williams,  John  Stewart,  Conrad  Nave,  Richard 
Burk,  John  Riley,  Elijah  Robertson,  Rees  Price,  Richard  Hol- 
liway,  Jarret  Williams,  Julius  Robison,  Charles  Fielder,  Ben- 
jamin Graham,  Andrew  Goff,  Hugh  O’Gullion,  Patk.  St. 
Lawrence,  James  Hughey,  John  Bradley,  Basileel  Maywell, 
and  Barnett  O’Gullion.  Of  the  non-commissioned  officers, 
it  is  only  known  that  John  Sawyers,  James  Robertson,  and 
Valentine  Sevier,  were  three  of  the  orderly  sergeants. 

After  the  battle  at  Point  Pleasant,  and  a further  invasion 
| their  country,  the  Indians  made  a treaty  with  Lord 
) Dunmore,  in  which  they  relinquished  all  their  claim 
to  lands  south  of  the  Ohio.  To  a large  extent  of  this  terri- 
tory, the  Cherokees,  with  other  southern  tribes,  pretended 


henderson’s  purchase. 


117 


also  to  hold  title.  Early  in  that  century  they  had  expelled 
the  Shawnees,  and  had  since  occupied  their  country  as  hunt- 
ing grounds.  Daniel  Boon  still  adhered  to  his  darling  pro- 
ject of  planting  a colony  upon  the  Kentucky  River,  which  he 
had  seen,  and,  desirous  of  obtaining  the  consent  of  the  Chero- 
kees,  had  stimulated  Colonel  Richard  Henderson  and  others 
of  North-Carolina,  to  effect  a treaty  with  them  for  that  pur- 
pose. Henderson,  accordingly,  associated  with  him  other 
men  of  capital,  viz  : Thomas  Hart,  John  Williams,  James 
Hogg,  Nathaniel  Hart,  David  Hart,  Leonard  H.  Bulloch, 
John  Luttrell  and  William  Johnston.  Two  of  these,  Colonel 
Henderson  and  Colonel  Nathaniel  Hart,  accompanied  by 
Daniel  Boon,  proceeded  to  the  Cherokee  towns,  and  proposed 
a general  council,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  land.  Sub- 
sequently, on  the  17th  of  March,  a treaty  was  concluded 
and  signed  by  the  agents  of  this  company  on  the  one  part, 
and  by  certain  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Cherokee  nation  on 
the  other  part,  at  the  Sycamore  Shoals,  on  Watauga  River. 
By  this  treaty,  the  Indians  agreed  to  cede  and  relinquish  to 
the  associates  all  the  lands  lying  between  the  Kentucky  and 
the  Cumberland  Rivers.  “ Which  said  tract  or  territory  of 
lands  was,  at  the  time  of  said  purchase,  and  time  out  of  mind 
had  been,  the  land  and  hunting  grounds  of  the  said  tribe  of 
Cherokee  Indians.”  In  consideration  of  this  cession,  ten 
thousand  pounds  sterling  were  alleged  to  have  been  paid  in 
merchandise.  Twelve  hundred  Indians  are  said  to  have  been 
assembled  on  the  treaty  ground.*  Upon  this  occasion,  and 
before  the  Indians  had  agreed  to  make  the  cession,  one  of 
the  Cherokee  orators,  said  to  be  Oconostota,  rose  and  deliver- 
ed a very  animated  and  pathetic  speech.  He  began  with 
the  very  flourishing  state  in  which  his  nation  once  was,  and 
mentioned  the  encroachments  of  the  white  people,  from  time 
to  time,  upon  the  retiring  and  expiring  nations  of  Indians, 
who  left  their  homes  and  the  seats  of  their  ancestors,  to  gra- 
tify the  insatiable  desire  of  the  white  people  for  more  land. 
Whole  nations  had  melted  away  in  their  presence,  like  balls 
of  snow  before  the  sun,  and  had  scarcely  left  their  names 
behind,  except  as  imperfectly  recorded  by  their  enemies  and 

* Monette. 


118 


ELOQUENT  SPEECH  OF  OCONOSTOTA. 


destroyers.  It  was  once  hoped  that  they  would  not  be  will- 
ing to  travel  beyond  the  mountains,  so  far  from  the  ocean  on 
which  their  commerce  was  carried  on,  and  their  connections 
maintained  with  the  nations  of  Europe.  But  now  that  falla- 
cious hope  had  vanished  ; they  had  passed  the  mountains 
and  settled  upon  the  Cherokee  lands,  and  wished  to  have 
their  usurpations  sanctioned  by  the  confirmation  of  a treaty. 
When  that  shall  be  obtained,  the  same  encroaching  spirit 
will  lead  them  upon  other  lands  of  the  Cherokees.  New 
cessions  will  be  applied  for,  and,  finally,  the  country  which 
the  Cherokees  and  their  forefathers  had  so  long  occupied, 
would  be  called  for,  and  the  small  remnant  which  then  may 
exist  of  this  nation,  once  so  great  and  formidable,  will  be 
compelled  to  seek  a retreat  in  some  far-distant  wilderness, 
there  to  dwell  but  a short  space  of  time,  before  they  would 
again  behold  the  advancing  banners  of  the  same  greedy 
host,  who,  not  being  able  to  point  out  any  further  retreat  for 
the  miserable  Cherokees,  would  then  proclaim  the  extinction 
of  the  whole  race.  He  ended  with  a strong  exhortation  to 
run  all  risks,  and  to  incur  all  consequences,  rather  than  sub- 
mit to  any  further  dilaceration  of  their  territory.*' 

The  speech  of  the  venerable  chieftain  was  listened  to  by 
his  assembled  countrymen,  with  profound  attention  and  mark- 
ed respect.  His  counsels  were  disregarded  : the  cession  was 
made.  The  future  of  his  tribe,  as  delineated  by  his  vehement 
eloquence,  seems  now,  after  the  lapse  of  three  quarters  of  a 
century  ,to  be  stamped  with  the  inspiration  of  prophecy.  The 
cotemporaries  of  Oconostota  have  left  “the  lands  which 
their  forefathers  had  so  long  occupied,”  and  their  bones  are 
mouldering  “ in  some  far-distant  wilderness”  beyond  the  Mis- 
sissippi. 

The  proprietors  of  Transylvania,  as  Henderson’s  purchase 
was  called,  at  first  contemplated  the  establishment  of  a sepa- 
rate and  independent  government,  not  materially  dissimilar 
from  the  other  British  colonies.  In  a memorial,  however,  ad- 
dressed to  the  Continental  Congress  of  1775,  they  took  care  to 
request  that  Transylvania  might  be  added  to  the  number  of 
the  United  Colonies.  “ Having  their  hearts  warmed  with  the 

* Haywood. 


PURCHASE  OF  WATAUGA. 


119 


same  noble  spirit  that  animates  the  colonies” — such  is  their 
language — “ and  moved  with  indignation  at  the  late  ministe- 
rial and  parliamentary  usurpations,  it  is  the  earnest  wish  of 
the  proprietors  of  Transylvania  to  be  considered  by  the  colo- 
nies as  brethren  engaged  in  the  same  great  cause  of  liberty 
and  mankind.”  * 

During  the  treaty  at  the  Sycamore  Shoals,  Parker  & Carter, 
whose  store  had  been  robbed  by  the  Indians,  attended  the  con- 
ference, and  demanded,  in  compensation  for  the  injury  they 
had  sustained,  Carter’s  Valley — to  extend  from  Cloud’s  Creek 
to  the  Chimney-top  Mountain  of  Beech  Creek.  The  Indians 
consented,  provided  an  additional  consideration  were  given. 
This  consideration  was  agreed  to,  and  Robert  Lucas  was 
taken  in  as  a partner,  to  enable  them  to  advance  the  stipulated 
price.  They  leased  their  lands  to  job-purchasers.  It  was* 
howevei-,  afterwards  ascertained  that  the  lands  thus  leased 
lay  in  North-Carolina  and  not  in  Virginia  ; and  the  purcha- 
sers refused  to  hold  under  them,  and  drove  them  off. 

The  Watauga  Association,  holding  the  lands  which  they 
occupied,  under  a lease  of  eight  years,  as  has  been  heretofore 
stated,  desired  to  obtain  for  them  a title  in  fee.  They  pro- 
cured, two  days  after  the  purchase  was  made  by  Henderson 
& Co.,  a deed  of  conveyance  to  Charles  Robertson,  for  a large 
extent  of  country.  It  is  found  in  the  Register’s  office  of  Wash- 
ington county. 

“ LAND  RECORDS  OF  THE  WATAUGA H PURCHASE. 

“This  Indenture,  made  the  19th  day  of  March,  1775,  by  O-con-os-to' 
1775  i ^a’  Chief  Warrior  and  First  Representative  of  the  Cherokee  Na" 
( tion  or  Tribe  of  Indians,  and  Attacullecully  and  Savanucah,  oth- 
erwise Coronoh,  for  themselves  and  the  rest  of  the  whole  Nation,  being 
the  aborigines  and  sole  owners  by  occupancy  from  the  beginning  of  time, 
of  the  lands  on  the  waters  of  Holston  and  Wataugah  Rivers,  and  other 
lands  thereunto  belonging,  of  the  one  part,  and  Charles  Robertson,  of  the 
settlement  of  Wataugah,  of  the  other  part,  Witnesseth,  &c.”  The  con- 
sideration was  “ the  sum  of  two  thousand  pounds,  lawful  money  of  Great 
Britain,  in  hand  paid.”  The  deed  embraced  “ all  that  tract,  territory  or 
parcel  of  land,  on  the  waters  of  Wataugah,  Holston  and  Great  Canaway 
or  New  River : beginning  on  the  south  or  south-west  side  of  Holston 
River,  six  English  miles  above  Long  Island,  in  said  river ; thence  a direct 
fine  near  a south  course  to  the  ridge  which  divides  the  waters  of  Watau- 

* Morehead’s  Address,  p.  36. 


'120 


WATAUGA  LAND  OFFICE. 


gall  from  the  waters  of  Nonachuckeh ; thence  along  the  various  courses 
of  said  ridge  nearly  a south-east  course  to  the  Blue  Ridge  or  line  dividing 
North-Carolina  from  the  Cherokee  lands ; thence  along  the  various  courses 
of  said  ridge  to  the  Virginia  line ; thencp  west  along  the  Virginia  line 
to  Holston  River;  thence  down  the  meanders  of  Holston  River  to  the  first 
station,  including  all  the  waters  of  Wataugah,  part  of  the  waters  of  Hol- 
ston and  the  head-branches  of  New  River  or  Great  Canaway,  agreeable  to 
the  bounds  aforesaid,  to  said  Charles  Robertson,  his  heirs  and  assigns,”  &c. 

“And  also,  the  said  Charles  Robertson,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  and 
may,  peaceably  and  quietly,  have,  hold,  possess  and  enjoy  said  premises, 
without  let,  trouble,  hindrance  or  molestation,  interruption  and  denial,  of 
them,  the  said  Oconostota  and  the  rest,  or  any  of  the  said  Nation.” 

Signed  in  presence  of 

John  Sevier,  Oconostota,  his  H mark.  [Seal.] 

Wm.  Bailey  Smith,  Attacullecully,  his  M mark.  “ 

Jesse  Benton,  Tennesy  Warrior,  his  M mark.  “ 

Tillman  Dixon,  Willinawaugh,  his  M mark.  “ 

William  Blevins, 

Thos.  Price. 

Jas.  Vann,  Linguister. 

The  lands  thus  conveyed  to  Charles  Robertson,  were  after- 
wards regularly  patented  to  the  settlers.  Occupancy  had  pro- 
bably heretofore  given  ownership.  The  first  patentee  was 
Joshua  Haughton.  The  form  of  his  patent  is  brief  and  sim- 
ple, and  is  given  at  length. 

“ Joshua  Haughton,  on  the  seventh  day  of  May,  t'7'75,  obtained  a 
patent  from  this  office  of  a tract  of  land  lying  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Wataugah,  half  a mile  below  the  mouth  of  Doe  River,  which  tract  was 
entered  by  the  said  Haughton,  April  1,  1 11 5,  and  obtained  a warrant 
for  surveying  the  same,  a plan  of  which  was  returned  to  this  office  by 
the  hands  of  Wm.  Bailey  Smith,  Surveyor. 

James  Smith,  C.  L.  O.” 

A list  is  given  here  of  other  patentees  in  their  order  : 
Thomas  Haughton,  Henry  Grymes,  Wm.  Tacket,  Matthew 
Talbot,  Isaac  Ruddle,  Henry  Lyle,  John  Sevier,  John  Carter 
and  John  Sevier,  John  Carter,  George  Russell,  Wm.  Beam 
Andrew  Greer,  Robert  Young,  James  Robertson,  Ben.  Ry- 
burn,  Baptist  McNabb,  Edmond  Roberts,  John  McNabb, 
Andrew  Little,  John  Jones,  James  Hollis,  John  Cassada 
George  Gray,  Choat  Gambal,  Jonathan  Tipton,  Farrer, 
Fletcher,  Thompson,  Lincoln,  Lucas  Messengall,  Duncan 
Abbit,  Walding  Denton,  Hodge,  Bennet,  Reaves,  Cunning- 
ham, Jesse  D.  Benton,  Catherine  Choat. 

To  the  holders  of  patents  thus  given,  a deed  regularly 


brown’s  principality. 


121 


drawn  up,  and  signed  by  Charles  Robertson,  was  made  out. 
One  of  these  is  now  before  the  writer,  carefully  drawn  up 
and  indented  after  the  English  style.  The  witnesses  to  it 
are  John  Sevier  and  J.  Smith. 

Another  deed  was  made  to  Jacob  Brown,  for  lands  on  both 
sides  of  Nonachunheh,  and  as  far  west  as  the  mouth  of  Big 
Limestone  Creek. 

“This  Indenture,  made  the  25th  day  of  March,  1775,  between  Oco- 
nostota,  chief  warrior  and  head  prince,  the  Tenesay  Warrior,  and  Bread 
Slave  Catcher,  and  Attakullakulla,  and  Chenesley,  Cherokee  chiefs  of 
Middle  and  Lower  Settlements,  of  the  one  part,  and  Jacob  Brown,  of  No- 
nachuchy,  of  the  other  part — consideration  ten  shillings — a certain  tract 
or  parcel  of  land  lying  on  Nonachuchy  River,  as  follows  : Beginning  at 
the  mouth  of  a creek  called  Great  Limestone,  running  up  the  meanders 
of  the  said  creek  and  the  main  fork  of  the  creek  to  the  ridge  that  divides 
Wataugah  and  Nonachuchy,  joining  the  Wataugah  purchase,  from 
thence  up  the  dividing  ridge  that  divides  the  waters  of  Nonachuchy 
and  Wataugah,  and  thence  to  the  head  of  Indian  Creek,  where  it  joins 
the  Iron  Mountain,  thence  down  the  said  mountain  to  Nonachuchy 
river,  thence  across  the  said  river  including  the  creeks  of  said  river, 
thence  down  the  side  of  the  Nonachuchy  Mountain  against 'the  mouth 
of  Great  Limestone,  thence  to  the  beginning. 

In  presence  of, 

Samuel  Crawford,  Occonostota,  [Seal.] 


“Witness  the  Warriors — Thomas  Bulla,  Joseph  Yann,  Richard  Hen- 
derson.” 

Mr.  Brown  thus  became  the  purchaser  of  a principality  on 
Nonachunheh,  embracing  much  of  the  best  lands  in  Wash- 
ington and  Greene  counties. 

Another  deed  of  the  same  date  and  between  the  same 
parties,  conveys  another  tract  of  land  “lying  on  Nonachuchy 
River,  below  the  mouth  of  Big  Limestone,  on  both  sides  of 
said  river,  bounded  as  follows,  joining  the  rest  of  said 
Brown’s  purchase.  Beginning  on  the  south  side  of  said 
river,  below  the  old  fields  that  lie  below  the  said  Lime- 
stone, on  the  north  side  of  Nonachuchy  Mountain,  at  a large 
rock  ; thence  north  thirty-two  deg.  west  to  the  mouth  of  Camp 
Creek,  on  south  side  of  said  river  ; thence  across  said  river  ; 
thence  north-west  to  the  dividing  ridge  between  Lick  Creek 
and  Watauga  or  Holston  ; thence  up  the  dividing  ridge 


Jesse  Denham, 
Moses  Crawford, 
Zachary  Isbell, 


The  Tenesay  Warrior, 
The  Bread  Slave  Catcher, 
Attakullakulla, 
Chenesley. 


U 


U 


u 


122 


PARLIAMENTARY  TAXATION 


to  the  rest  of  said  Brown’s  lands-;  thence  down  the  main 
fork  ot  Big  Limestone  to  its  mouth  ; thence  crossing  the  river 
a straight  course  to  Nonachuchy  Mountain  ; thence  down  the 
said  mountain  to  the  beginning.” 

In  the  meantime,  the  British  Parliament  persisted  in  the 
1*774  S determination  to  tax  the  American  colonies  without 
their  consent.  We  copy  or  condense  from  Holmes: 

The  obnoxious  port  duties  of  lYGY  had  been  repealed,  excepting 
the  duty  of  three  pence  a pound  on  tea,  which  was  continued  for  the 
purpose  of  maintaining  the  parliamentary  right  of  taxation.  ‘That 
import  was  continued  to  keep  up  the  sovereignty,’  and  ‘ could  never  be 
opposed  by  the  colonists,  unless  they  were  determined  to  rebel  against 
Great  Britain.’  Such  was  the  language  of  Lord  North.  But  the  jeal- 
ousy of  the  colonies  was  directed  against  the  'principle,  of  the  ministry, 
which  was  as  discernible  in  the  imposition  of  a small  as  of  a large  duty. 
The  partial  repeal  was,  therefore,  unsatisfactory,  and  combinations  were 
formed  in  the  principal  commercial  cities,  to  prevent  the  importation  of 
the  excepted  article.  One  sentiment  appears  to  have  pervaded  all  the 
colonies.  The  ministerial  plan  was  universally  considered  as  a direct 
attack  upon  the  liberties  of  the  American  citizen,  which  it  was  the  duty 
of  all  to  oppose.  The  tax  was  every  where  resisted,  and  at  Boston  the 
cargoes  of  tea  were  thrown  into  the  dock.  This  act  so  provoked  the 
British  government  that  the  city  of  Boston  was  selected  as  the  first 
object  of  legislative  vengeance.  A bill  was  passed  by  which  its  harbour 
was  closed.  This  bill  excited  universal  indignation.  At  Philadelphia 
contributions  were  made  for  such  poor  inhabitants  of  Boston  as  were 
deprived,  by  the  act,  of  the  means  of  subsistence.  The  Assembly  of 
Virginia  resolved  to  observe  the  first  day  of  its  operation  as  a fast,  and 
espoused  the  cause  of  Massachusetts  by  the  declaration  ‘ that  an  attack 
made  on  one  of  our  sister  colonies  to  compel  submission  to  arbitrary 
taxes,  is  an  attack  made  on  all  British  America,  and  threatens  ruin  to 
the  rights  of  all,  unless  the  united  wisdom  of  the  whole  be  applied.’  ” 

They  also  proposed  the  meeting  of  a General  Congress 
annually,  to  deliberate  on  those  measures  which  the  united 
interests  of  America  might,  from  time  to  time,  require.  This 
recommendation  of  Virginia  was  gradually  concurred  with, 
from  New-Hampshire  to  South-Carolina,  and  on  the  fifth 
day  of  September  the  first  Continental  Congress  met  in 
Philadelphia.  A declaration  of  rights  was  soon  agreed  on  ; 
the  several  acts  of  Parliament  infringing  and  violating  those 
rights  recited,  and  the  repeal  of  them  resolved  to  be  essen- 
tially necessary  to  the  restoration  of  harmony  between  Great 
Britain  and  the  colonies.  They  resolved  further  on  an 
address  to  the  king  and  to  the  people  of  Great  Britain,  and 


OPPOSED  IN  ALL  THE  COLONIES. 


123 


a memorial  to  the  people  of  British  America.  These  reso- 
lutions of  the  Continental  Congress,  received  the  general 
sanction  of  the  Provincial  Congresses  and  Colonial  Assem- 
blies. Massachusetts  took  immediate  measures  for  the 
defence  of  the  province.  The  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island 
passed  resolutions  for  obtaining  arms  and  military  stores, 
and  for  raising  and  arming  the  inhabitants.  In  New-PIamp- 
shire  similar  precautions  were  taken. 

In  the  more  southern  colonies,  signs  of  discontent  and 
jealousy  of  the  British  government  were  strongly  manifested. 
A meeting  of  the  officers  under  the  command  of  Lord  Dun- 
more,  resolved : — “ That  as  the  love  of  liberty  and  attachment 
to  the  real  interests  and  just  rights  of  America  outweigh 
every  other  consideration,  they  would  exert  every  power 
within  them  for  the  defence  of  American  liberty  and  for  the 
support  of  her  just  rights  and  privileges,  not  in  any  precipi- 
tate, riotous  or  tumultuous  manner,  but  when  regularly 
called  forth  by  the  unanimous  voice  of  our  countrymen.” 
The  Provincial  Congress  of  Maryland  resolved  : — “ That  if 
the  late  acts  of  Parliament  shall  be  attempted  to  be  exe- 
cuted by  force,  Maryland  will  aid  such  colony  to  the  utmost 
extent  of  its  power  and  further  resolved  to  raise  money 
for  the  purchase  of  arms  and  ammunition.  In  South-Carolina 
Judge  Drayton,  in  a charge  to  a grand  jury,  said,  in  speaking 
of  liberty  : — “ English  people  cannot  he  taxed,  nay,  cannot 
be  bound  by  any  law,  unless  by  their  consent,  expressed  by 
themselves  or  by  the  representatives  of  their  own  election. 
I charge  you  to  do  your  duty;  to  maintain  the  laws,  the 
rights,  the  constitution  of  your  own  country,  even  at  the 
hazard  of  your  lives  and  fortunes.  In  my  judicial  character 
I know  no  master  but  the  law  ; I am  a servant,  not  to  the 
king,  but  to  the  constitution.” 

The  testimony  of  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  distinguished 
martyrs  to  the  cause  of  liberty  is  at  once  illustrative  of  his 
own  patriotism  and  that  of  his  countrymen.  Dr.  Warren 
said : — “ It  is  the  united  voice  of  America  to  preserve  their 
freedom  or  lose  their  lives  in  the  defence  of  it.  Their  reso- 
lutions are  not  the  effects  of  inconsiderate  rashness,  but  the 
sound  result  of  sober  inquiry  and  deliberation.  I am  con- 


124 


MARTIAL  SPIRIT  OF  THE  PEOPLE. 


vinced  that  the  true  spirit  of  liberty  was  never  so  universally 
diffused  through  all  ranks  and  orders  of  people  in  any  coun- 
ty on  the  face  of  the  earth,  as  it  now  is  through  all  North 
America.” 

Georgia  was  the  youngest  of  the  colonies,  the  most  feeble 
and  the  most  exposed  ; yet  her  whigs  were  aroused  and 
active  at  the  very  dawn  of  the  Revolution.  Under  Haber- 
sham and  Brown,  her  volunteers  assisted  in  capturing,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Savannah,  the  schooner  of  Gov.  Wright,  con- 
taining the  king’s  powder ; and  afterwards  Doctor  N.  W. 
Jones,  Joseph  Habersham,  Edward  Telfair,  William  Gibbon, 
Joseph  Clay,  John  Millege  and  others  broke  into  the  maga- 
zine and  secured  for  their  little  band  of  whig  patriots,  the 
powder  intended  by  the  colonial  authorities  to  intimidate  the 
rising  spirit  of  republicanism  and  resistance  to  the  royal 
cause.  ‘‘  Some  of  the  bravest  and  most  honourable  men  in 
the  Union  were  among  the  patriots  of  Georgia.”  “ Mr. 
Habersham,  alone  and  unaided,  entered  the  house  of  Go- 
vernor Wright  and  arrested  him  at  his  own  table.”* 

But  all  these  manifestations  of  a spirit  of  determined  resist- 
i ( ance  on  the  part  of  the  American  colonies,  were  disre- 

‘ ( garaed  by  the  British  government.  Parliamentary 

supremacy  had  been  asserted,  and  coercive  measures  were 
adopted  to  enforce  and  sustain  it.  A crisis  approached  which 
precluded,  forever,  all  reconciliation  between  England  and  her 
American  colonies.  On  the  19th  of  April  the  battle  of  Lex- 
ington took  place,  the  first  act  in  the  great  drama  of  the 
American  Revolution.  The  blood  there  shed  was  the  signal 
for  war.  The  martial  spirit  of  the  American  people  rose 
with  the  occasion.  The  forts,  magazines  and  arsenals  through- 
out the  colonies,  were  instantly  secured  for  the  use  of  the  Pro- 
vincials. Troops  were  raised,  and  provision  made  for  their 
pay  and  support.  Valour  in  the  field  was  not  sufficient  for  the 
emergency ; it  demanded  also  wisdom  in  council.  A new 
Congress  met  on  the  10th  of  May,  adopted  measures  of  de- 
fence, and  unanimously  elected  one  of  their  number,  George 
Washington,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army  of  the  United 
Colonies. 


* Dr.  Johnson’s  Reminiscences. 


HOOPER  FORETELLS  INDEPENDENCE. 


125 


Notwithstanding  these  proceedings,  the  views  of  the  colo- 
nists did  not  yet  extend  to  a separation  from  Great  Britain,  or 
to  the  establishment  of  independent  governments,  except  in 
the  last  extremity.  This  is  evinced,  not  only  by  the  declara- 
tions of  Congress,  but  from  those  of  the  colonial  assemblies 
and  conventions  in  the  course  of  this  year. 

“ But  the  charm  of  loyalty  to  the  king  and  allegiance  to  his  govern- 
ment, was  broken — the  spell  was  dissolved.  The  colonists  had  armed  in 
defence  of  their  rights,  and  the  transit  was  easy  from  resistance  to  inde- 
pendence and  revolution.  For  ten  years  they  had  been  complaining  and 
remonstrating  against  the  unconstitutional  enactments  of  the  mother  coun- 
try,  in  the  submissive  language  of  faithful  and  loyal  subjects.  Their  tone 
was  changed,  and  ‘independency’  was  by  many  contemplated,  and  no 
where  earlier  than  in  North-Carolina.  In  this  province,  peculation  by 
Crown  officers,  exorbitant  taxes  and  the  court  law  controversy,  were  pro- 
minent causes  of  early  dissatisfaction  to  the  people,  and  indeed  transcend- 
ed, in  their  immediate  influence  upon  their  personal  comforts  and  rights, 
the  abstract  question  of  British  allegiance.  At  a later  period,  their  op- 
position to  the  ministry  was  embittered,  not  so  much  by  their  personal 
sufferings  as  by  a deep  sympathy  with  the  people  of  Massachusetts,  who 
were  complimented  in  all  their  public  meetings,  and  assured  of  their  rea- 
diness to  aid  them  in  any  general  scheme  of  protection  or  resistance.  The 
organization  of  a Continental  Congress  had  been  suggested.  That  was 
to  be  effected  through  the  agency  of  Provincial  Congresses  ; and  in  North  - 
Carolina,  as  early  as  April  5,  1774,  measures  were  in  progress  to  con- 
vene one  for  that  purpose.  And  on  the  26th  of  the  same  month,  Wil- 
liam Hooper,  in  a letter  to  James  Iredell,  openly  avows  the  propriety,  as 
well  as  the  probability,  of  independence.  It  distinctly  says  : ‘ With  you 
I anticipate  the  important  share  which  the  colonies  must  soon  have  in  re 
gulating  the  political  balance.  They  are  striding  fast  to  independence, 
and  will,  ere  long,  build  an  empire  on  the  ruins  of  Britain — will  adopt  its 
constitution,  purged  of  its  impurities ; and  from  an  experience  of  its  de- 
fects, will  guard  against  those  evils  which  have  wasted  its  vigour  and 
brought  it  to  an  untimely  end-’  ” * 

The  people  of  North-Carolina  elected  delegates  to  a Pro- 
vincial Congress,  to  meet  at  Newbern,  August  25,  1774.  The 
royal  governor  consulted  his  council,  and  with  their  advice 
issued  his  proclamation  condemning  the  elections  that  had 
been  held  as  illegal,  and  warning  all  officers  of  the  king,  civil 
and  military,  to  prevent  all  such  meetings,  and  especially  that 
of  certain  deputies  on  the  25th  instant.  Neither  the  procla- 
mation, nor  the  less  official  menaces  of  Gov.  Martin,  could 
prevent  the  assembling  of  the  deputies  ; and  on  the  appointed 


* Jones. 


126 


PROVINCIAL  CONGRESS  MEETS  AT  NEWBERN. 


day  a deliberative  assembly  was  organized  at  Newbern, 
independent  of  and  contrary  to  the  authority  of  the  existing 
government.  This  assembly  or  congress,  as  it  was  called* 
elected  William  Hooper,  Joseph  Ilewes  and  Richard  Caswell* 
delegates  to  the  General  Congress  to  be  held  in  September  at 
Philadelphia,  and  invested  them  with  such  powers  as  may 
make  any  act  done  by  them,  “ obligator}r  in  honour  upon  every 
inhabitant  of  the  province,  who  is  not  an  alien  to  his  country’s 
good  and  an  apostate  to  the  liberties  of  America.”  They  re- 
cognize George  the  Third  as  sovereign  of  the  province  ; but, 
as  if  to  mock  this  profession  of  loyalty,  they  claim  the  rights 
of  Englishmen,  without  abridgement,  and  swear  to  maintain 
them  to  the  utmost  of  their  power.  One  of  these  rights  is  de- 
fined to  be,  that  no  subject  shall  be  taxed  but  by  his  own  con- 
sent, or  that  of  his  legal  representative,  and  they  denounce, 
in  unmeasured  terms,  every  policy  that  assails  that  most  sa- 
cred right.*  The  instructions  to  their  delegates  were  in  conso- 
nance with  their  resolutions.  They  contemplated  a restora- 
tion of  harmony  with  Great  Britain,  but  pledged  a determined 
resistance  to  aggression  upon  their 'persons  or  properties,  and 
“ to  all  unconstitutional  encroachments  whatsoever.” 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  infant  settlements  west  of 
the  mountains  were  represented  at  Newbern.  While  the 
Congress  of  North-Carolina  was  in  session  at  that  place,  her 
Western  pioneers  were  laying  the  foundation  of  society,  and 
her  brave  soldiery  had  volunteered  in  an  expedition,  distant, 
toilsome,  dangerous,  patriotic,  against  the  inroads  of  a savage 
enemy  : thus  serving  an  apprenticeship  in  self  government  and 
self  defence,  which  events  transpiring  on  the  Atlantic  side  of 
the  mountain  soon  after  rendered  necessary  and  important. 

At  this  period  the  colonial  government  claimed  the  sole 
right  to  treat  with  the  Indian  tribes  and  to  purchase  their 
lands,  as  one  of  the  prerogatives  of  sovereignty.  This  claim 
furnished  a new  pretext  to  Governor  Martin  to  vent  his 
spleen  upon  the  distant  settlers.  The  purchase  which  they 
had  made  at  Watauga  of  the  Cherokee  lands,  was  pro- 
nounced illegal ; the  governor  alleging,  in  his  proclamation 
against  it,  that  it  was  made  in  violation  of  the  king’s  inhibi- 
tion of  Oct.  7,  1763,  as  well  as  of  an  act  of  the  Provincial 

* Jones. 


END  OP  ROYAL  GOVERNMENT  IN  NORTH- CAROLINA. 


127 


Assembly.  This  proclamation  of  Gov.  Martin  was  a dead 
letter.  No  regard  was  paid  to  it  on  Watauga. 

A second  Provincial  Congress  was  elected.  It  convened 
5 { at  Newbern,  April  3,  1775,  the  same  time  and  place 
l appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  Provincial  Legisla- 
ture. The  members  elected  by  the  people  to  one  of  these 
bodies,  were  generally  the  same  persons  elected  to  the  other. 
“ As  the  Provincial  Assembly,  with  but  few  exceptions,  con- 
sisted of  the  delegates  to  the  Congress,  and  as  the  Speaker 
of  the  former  was  also  the  Moderator  of  the  latter  body,  their 
proceedings  are  a little  farcical.  The  Congress  would  be  in 
session,  when  the  Governor’s  Secretary  would  arrive,  and 
then  Mr.  Moderator  Harvey  would  turn  himself  into  Mr. 
Speaker  Harvey,  and  proceed  to  the  despatch  of  public  busi- 
ness. The  Assembly,  too,  would  occasionally  forget  its  duty, 
and  trespass  upon  the  business  of  the  Congress.”*'  Governor 
Martin  had,  as  on  a former  occasion,  endeavoured  in  vain, 
by  the  efficacy  of  an  intemperate  and  argumentative  procla- 
mation, to  prevent  the  meeting  of  the  Congress.  That  body 
issued  a counter-proclamation,  by  way  of  reply,  in  terms 
firm,  moderate,  forcible,  respectful,  and  not  less  logical.  “ On 
the  8th  of  April,  1775,  the  Assembly  was  dissolved  b}r  pro- 
clamation, and  thus  ceased  forever  all  legislative  action 
in  North-Carolina  under  the  royal  government.” 

The  Congress  at  Newbern  approved  of  what  had  been 
done  by  their  delegates  at  Philadelphia,  and,  in  evidence  of 
their  continued  confidence,  re-appointed  them  delegates  to 
the  second  Continental  Congress.  They  also  approved  the 
Association  entered  into  by  that  body,  and  firmly  pledged 
themselves  to  adhere  to  its  provisions,  and  to  recommend  its 
adoption  to  their  constituents. 

All  this  had  transpired  in  North-Carolina  before  the  battle 
at  Lexington  had  been  fought.  The  intelligence  of  that 
occurrence  produced  the  most  decisive  effect.  It  not  only 
stimulated  resistance  to  arbitrary  power,  but  precipitated  a 
severance  from  the  British  government.  Meetings  were 
held  throughout  the  province,  in  which  the  great  whig  prin- 
ciples of  the  day  were  asserted,  and  a cordial  sympathy 

* Jones.  N.  L-  U- 


128 


MECKLENBURG  DECLARES  INDEPENDENCE. 


with  the  distresses  of  the  people  of  Massachusetts  was  ex- 
pressed. Hooper  had  said,  “ that  the  colonies  were  fast 
striding  to  independence,”  and  Mecklenburg  county  was  the 
first  to  sustain  his  declaration.  In  that  county  a Convention 
was  called,  which  met  on  the  19th  of  May,  1775,  at  Char- 
lotte. Abraham  Alexander  was  chosen  Chairman,  and  John 
McKnitt  Alexander,  Secretary.  After  a free  and  full  dis- 
cussion of  the  various  objects  of  the  meeting,  which  contin- 
ued in  session  till  2 o’clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  20th,  “ It  was 
unanimously 

“ I.  Resolved , That  whosoever,  directly  or  indirectly,  abetted,  or  in 
any  way,  form  or  manner,  countenanced  the  unchartered  and  dangerous 
invasion  of  our  rights  as  claimed  by  Great  Britain,  is  an  enemy  to  this 
country,  to  America,  and  to  the  inherent  and  inalienable  rights  of  man. 

“ II.  Resolved , That  we,  the  citizens  of  Mecklenburg  county,  do  hereby 
dissolve  the  political  bands  which  have  connected  us  to  the  mother 
country,  and  hereby  absolve  ourselves  from  all  allegiance  to  the  British 
Crown,  and  abjure  all  political  connection,  contract  or  association,  with 
that  nation,  who  have  wantonly  trampled  on  our  rights  and  liberties, 
and  inhumanly  shed  the  blood  of  American  patriots  at  Lexington. 

“ III.  Resolved , That  we  do  hereby  declare  ourselves  a free  and  inde- 
pendent people,  are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  a sovereign  and  self  governing 
association,  under  the  control  of  no  power  other  than  that  of  our  God 
and  the  general  government  of  the  Congress ; to  the  maintenance  of 
which  independence,  we  solemnly  pledge  to  each  other  our  mutual  co- 
operation, our  lives,  our  fortunes,  and  our  most  sacred  honour. 

“ IV.  Resolved , That  as  we  now  acknowledge  the  existence  and  con- 
trol of  no  law  or  legal  officer,  civil  or  military,  within  this  county,  we  do 
hereby  ordain  and  adopt,  as  a rule  of  life,  all,  each,  and  every  of  our 
former  laws — wherein,  nevertheless,  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain  never 
can  be  considered  as  holding  rights,  privileges,  immunities  or  authority 
therein.” 

Other  resolutions  were  adopted,  making  provision  for  the 
new  condition  of  things.  A copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
Convention  was  sent  by  express  to  the  North-Carolina  mem- 
bers of  Congress,  then  in  session  in  Philadelphia.  These 
delegates  approving  of  the  spirit  of  their  fellow-citizens  and 
the  elevated  tone  of  the  resolutions,  thought  them,  neverthe- 
less, premature,  as  the  Continental  Congress  had  not  yet 
abandoned  all  hopes  of  reconciliation,  upon  honourable  terms, 
with  the  mother  country.  The  Declaration  of  Independence 
was  not,  therefore,  presented  to  nor  acted  upon  by  that 
body.  A copy  was  also  addressed  to  the  Provincial  Con- 


DOCTOR  EPHRAIM  BREVARD. 


129 


gress  in  August,  but,  for  similar  reasons,  was  not  particu- 
larly acted  upon. 

But  the  proceedings  being  published  in  the  “Cape  Fear 
Mercurjg”  at  Wilmington,  and  thus  meeting  the  eye  of  Go- 
vernor Martin,  called  forth  another  proclamation,  in  which 
he  thus  notices  the  Charlotte  resolutions:  “ And  whereas  I 
have  also  seen  a most  infamous  publication,  in  the  ‘Cape  Fear 
Mercury,’  importing  to  be  Resolves  of  a set  of  people  styling 
themselves  a Committee  of  the  County  of  Mecklenburg,  most 
traitorously  declaring  the  entire  dissolution  of  the  laws, 
government  and  constitution  of  the  country,  and  setting  up  a 
system  of  rule  and  regulation  repugnant  to  the  laws,  and 
subversive  of  his  majesty’s  government,  &c.” 

Doctor  Brevard  is  the  reputed  author  of  the  Mecklenburg 
Resolutions.  The  names  of  the  delegates,  and  of  the  master 
spirits  and  patriots  of  the  country  through  whose  influence 
and  popularity  the  resolutions  were  adopted,  are  Hezekiah 
Alexander,  Adam  Alexander,  Charles  Alexander,  Ezra  Alex- 
ander, Waightstill  Avery,  Ephraim  Brevard,  Hezekiah  Jones 
Balch,  Richard  Barry,  Henry  Downs,  John  Davidson,  Wil- 
liam Davidson,  John  Flenniken,  John  Ford,  William  Graham, 
James  Harris,  Richard  Harris,  Senr.,  Robert  Irwin,  William 
Kennon,  Neill  Morrison,  Matthew  McClure,  Samuel  Martin, 
Thomas  Polk,  John  Phifer,  Ezekiel  Polk,  Benjamin  Patton, 
Duncan  Ocheltree,  John  Queary,  David  Reese,  William  Will- 
son,  and  Zacheus  Willson,  Senr.* 

At  this  time  hope  was  entertained  of  a reconciliation  with 
England,  and  the  thought  of  independence  had  been  con- 
ceived by  few.  Even  Mr.  Jefferson,  in  a letter  to  Dr.  William 
Small,  under  date  of  May  7,  1775,  said  : “ When  I saw  Lord 
Chatham’s  bill,  I entertained  high  hope  that  a reconcilia- 
tion could  have  been  brought  about.  The  difference  be- 
tween his  terms  and  those  offered  by  our  Congress,  might 
have  been  accommodated,  &c.”f 

A month  after  the  Charlotte  Convention,  the  people  of 
Cumberland  county  entered  into  an  association.  They  say  : 
“ Holding  ourselves  bound  by  that  most  sacred  of  all  obliga- 

* State  Pamphlet,  pp.  11  and  16.  Raleigh:  1831. 
j See  American  Archives,  vol,  ii,  p.  523. 

9 


130 


A WHIG  CONGRESS  CONTROLS  NORTH- CAROLINA, 


tions,  the  duty  of  good  citizens  towards  an  injured  country, 
and  thoroughly  convinced  that,  under  our  distressed  circum- 
stances, we  shall  be  justified  in  resisting  force  by  force,  do 
unite  ourselves  under  every  tie  of  religion  and  honour,  and 
associate  as  a band  in  her  defence  against  every  foe,  hereby 
solemnly  engaging,  that,  whenever  our  Continental  or  Pro- 
vincial Councils  shall  decree  it  necessary,  we  will  go  forth? 
and  be  ready  to  sacrifice  our  lives  and  our  fortunes  to  secure 
her  freedom  and  safety.  This  obligation  to  continue  in  force 
until  a reconciliation  shall  take  place  between  Great  Britain 
and  America  upon  constitutional  principles — an  event  we 
most  ardently  desire.”  Mecklenburg  still  stood  alone  in  the 
bold  position  she  had  assumed  of  absolute  independence. 

A similar  association  was  also  entered  into  by  the  people 
of  Tryon  county,  on  the  14th  August,  but,  like  the  prece- 
ding, was  limited  by  the  “reconciliation  to  take  place  upon 
constitutional  principles.” 

On  the  20th  of  August  the  Provincial  Congress  assembled 
at  Hillsborough.  The  royal  governor  had  fled  from  his  pal- 
ace, and  taken  refuge  on  board  his  majesty’s  ship  Cruiser, 
in  Cape  Fear  River,  from  which  he  issued  his  proclamation, 
vainly  hoping  by  these  harmless  missiles  to  intimidate  the 
patriot  freemen  of  North-Carolina.  The  Provincial  Assem- 
bly had  been  prorogued — dissolved,  rather — no  vestige  of  the 
royal  government  was  left,  and  a Whig  Congress  had  as- 
sumed the  control  of  North-Carolina.  Still  professing  alle- 
giance to  the  king,  it  denied  his  authority  to  impose  taxes  ; 
and  its  members  took  an  oath  to  support  the  Whig  authori- 
ties of  the  Continental  and  Provincial  Congress.  They  de- 
clared, unanimously,  that  North-Carolina  would  pay  her  due 
proportion  of  the  expense  of  raising  a Continental  army, 
and  appointed  a committee  to  prepare  a plan  for  regulating 
the  internal  peace,  order  and  safety  of  the  province.  “ This 
was  the  most  important  committee  ever  yet  appointed  by 
popular  authority,  and  it  achieved  one  of  the  most  difficult  and 
trying  ends  of  the  Revolution.  It  substituted  a regular  gov- 
ernment, resting  entirely  on  popular  authority,  for  that  of 
the  royal  government,  and  annihilated  every  vestige  of  the 
power  of  Josiah  Martin.  Nothing  but  the  idle  and  vain 


AND  RECOMMENDS  INDEPENDENCE. 


131 


theory  of  allegiance  to  the  throne  was  left  to  remind  the 
people  of  the  recent  origin  of  their  power.”* 

The  Provincial  Congress  of  North-Carolina  met  again,  April 

( 4,  1776.  The  following  extract  from  its  Journal,  shews 
1*776  ] ° 

( “ that  the  first  legislative  recommendation  of  a decla- 
ration of  independence  by  the  Continental  Congress,  origi- 
nated, likewise,  in  North-Carolina.  It  is  worthy  of  remark, 
that  John  McKnitt  Alexander,  the  Secretary  of  the  Charlotte 
Convention,  Thomas  Polk,  Waightstill  Avery,  John  Phifer 
and  Robert  Irwin,  who  were  conspicuous  actors  in  the  pro- 
ceedings in  Mecklenburg,  were  active  and  influential  mem- 
bers of  this  Provincial  Congress  from  that  county,  f 

“ Resolved , That  the  delegates  for  this  colony  in  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, be  empowered  to  concur  with  the  delegates  of  the  other  colonies 
in  declaring  independency  and  forming  foreign  alliances,  reserving  to  this 
colony  the  sole  and  exclusive  right  of  forming  a constitution  and  laws  for 
this  colony,  and  of  appointing  delegates  from  time  to  time,  (under  the  di- 
rection of  a general  representation  thereof,)  to  meet  the  delegates  of  the 
other  colonies,  for  such  purposes  as  shall  be  hereafter  pointed  out. 

“The  Congress  taking  the  same  into  consideration,  unanimously  con- 
curred therewith.” 

This  resolution,  thus  unanimously  adopted  by  the  Congress 
at  Halifax,  was  presented  by  the  delegates  of  North-Carolina 
to  the  Continental  Congress,  May,  27,  1776 — nearly  six  weeks 
before  the  national  declaration  of  July  4th  was  made. 

Before,  the  Congress  which  thus  recommended  independence, 
was  debated  the  project  of  a civil  constitution  for  North-Caro- 
lina. The  idea  of  a constitution  seemed  to  follow  that  of  in- 
dependence ; and,  accordingly,  on  the  thirteenth  a committee 
was  appointed  to  prepare  a temporary  civil  form  of  govern- 
ment. The  subject,  after  discussion,  was  postponed  to  the 
next  Congress.'! 

An  ordinance  was  also  passed,  “ empowering  the  governor 
to  issue  a proclamation  requiring  all  persons  who  have  at 
any  time,  by  taking  arms  against  the  liberty  of  America, 
adhering  to,  comforting  or  abetting  the  enemies  thereof,  or 
by  words  disrespectful  or  tending  to  prejudice  the  indepen- 
dence of  the  United  States  of  America,  or  of  this  state  in 


* Jones. 


f Idem. 


\ Idem. 


132 


CURRENCY  OF  NORTH- CAROLINA. 


particular,  to  come  in  before  a certain  day  therein  mentioned> 
and  take  an  oath  of  allegiance  and  make  submission,  on 
pain  of  being  considered  as  enemies  and  treated  accordingly.” 
Also  an  ordinance  “for  supplying  the  public  treasury 
with  money  for  the  exigencies  of  this  state,  and  for  the  sup- 
port of  that  part  of  the  continental  army  stationed  therein.” 
The  form  of  two  of  the  Treasury  Bills  is  here  given. 


||! J Eight  D oll ar s3"~ 


These  issues  of  the  North-Carolina  Treasury  for  expenses 
incurred  by  her  patriotic  militia  in  the  cause  of  indepen 
dence,  are  still  found  in  great  abundance  in  the  scrutoires  and 
chests  of  the  old  families  and  their  descendants  in  1 ennessee: 


WATAUGA  ASSOCIATION. 


133 


valueless  now,  but  still  proud  remembrancers  of  past  sacri- 
fices and  toils.  Of  this  money,  it  has  been  well  said,  it  vin- 
dicated our  liberties,  but  fell  in  the  moment  of  victory. 

The  device  of  the  volunteer  levelling  his  rifle  and  the 
motto  chosen  for  him,  are  peculiarly  appropriate.  “Hit  or 
miss”  is  a homely  but  significant  phrase,  and  is  expressive 
of  the  noble  sentiment  of  the  patriot  Adams,  uttered  about 
the  same  period: — “Sink  or  swim,  live  or  die,  survive  or 
perish.” 

Other  ordinances  for  putting  the  machinery  of  the  new 
state  into  successful  motion  being  passed,  the  Congress  of 
Halifax  adjourned. 

We  have  chosen  thus  to  throw  together,  in  a connected  view, 
the  action  and  sentiment  of  the  several  colonies  at  the  dawn  of 
the  Revolution,  and  to  give  in  more  detail,  and  with  a less 
rapid  recital,  the  early  participation  of  our  mother  state, 
North-Carolina,  in  the  cause  of  liberty' and  of  freedom,  and 
in  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  It  is  no  ordinary 
achievement  thus  to  have  laid  the  foundation  of  free  and 
independent  government.  Every  review  of  these  illustrious 
events  increases  our  admiration  of  that  enlightened  love  of 
freedom,  that  noble  spirit  of  independence,  and  that  self- 
sacrificing  and  lofty  patriotism,  which  glowed  in  the  bosoms, 
animated  the  councils  and  nerved  the  hearts  of  those  who, 
for  the  inestimable  privileges  we  enjoy,  pledged  their  mutual 
co-operation,  their  lives,  fortunes  and  most  sacred  honour.* 

Returning  to  the  chronological  order  of  events  from  which 
we  have  slightly  departed,  we  find  the  small  community  on 
Watauga  still  living  under  the  simple  government  of  their 
own  appointment,  consisting  of  five  commissioners  elected 
by  themselves.  Before  this  tribunal  all  private  controver- 
sie^were  settled.  Its  sessions  were  held  at  stated  and  regu- 
lar periods,  and  as  its  business  increased  with  the  constant 
enlargement  of  the  settlement,  a clerk  was  found  necessary. 
Felix  Walker,  Thomas  Gomley,  William  Tatham  and  John 

* See  State  Pamphlet,  published  by  North-Carolina,  page  6 : Pitkin,  Force’s 
Collections  ; State  Papers  ; Jones,  Foote,  Wheeler  and  Martin’s  North-Carolina  ; 
•which  have  all  been  referred  to  and  consulted. 


134 


PETITION  FROM  WASHINGTON  DISTRICT, 


Sevier,  all  served  in  that  office  Lewis  Bowyer  was  the 
attorney.  A sheriff  was  also  appointed,  but  who  he  was  is 
not  now  known.  The  laws  of  Virginia  were  taken  as  the 
standard  of  decision.  Of  this  court,  of  its  decisions  and  pro- 
ceedings, little  or  nothing  is  certainly  known.  The  records 
are,  probably,  all  lost.  No  research  of  the  writer  has  been 
successful  in  discovering  them;  he  has  examined  in  vain  the 
several  offices  in  Tenneseee,  and  also  the  state  archives  at 
Richmond  and  Raleigh.  At  the  latter  place,  by  the  courtesy 
of  Gov.  Reed,  the  present  Executive  of  North-Carolina,  he 
was  allowed  free  access  to  the  public  papers  of  that  state. 
No  trace  of  the  records  of  Watauga  Court  was  to  be  found  : 
but  his  pains-taking  search  was  richly  compensated  by  the 
discovery,  in  an  old  bundle  of  papers,  lying  in  an  upper 
shelf,  almost  out  of  reach,  and  probably  not  seen  before  for 
seventy-five  years,  of  a petition  and  remonstrance  from  Wa- 
tauga settlement,  praying,  among  other  things,  to  be  an- 
nexed, whether  as  a county,  district  or  other  division,  to 
North-Carolina.  The  document  appears  to  be  in  the  hand- 
writing of  one  of  the  signers,  John  Sevier,  and  is  probably 
his  own  production.  The  name  of  the  chairman,  John 
Carter,  is  written  by  a palsied  hand.  It  is  remarkable  that 
about  sixty  years  afterwards,  his  grandson,  the  late  Hon.  W. 
B.  Carter,  from  exactly  the  same  Watauga  locality,  was 
president  of  the  convention  that  formed  the  present  consti- 
tution of  Tennessee.  The  others  are  all  names  since,  and 
at  the  present  time,  familiar  to  Tennesseans. 

This  document  is,  throughout,  replete  with  interest  ; is  full 
of  our  earliest  history  ; breathes  the  warmest  patriotism,  and 
is  inspired  with  the  spirit  of  justice  and  of  liberty.  No 
apology  is  needed  for  presenting  it  entire  in  these  p>ages : f 

“ To  the  ITon.  the  Provincial  Council  of  North-  Carolina  : 

“The  humble  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Washington 
District,  including  the  River  Wataugah,  Nonachuckie,  &c., 

* Mr.  Walker  was  a member  of  Congress  from  the  Buncombe  District,  N.  C., 
in  1821. 

f The  petition  is  copied  literatim  et  verbatim. 


RECITING  THE  ACTS  OF  THE  WATAUGA  ASSOCIATION. 


135 


in  committee  assembled,  Humbly  Sheweth,  that  about  six 
years  ago,  Col.  Donelson,  (in  behalf  of  the  Colony  of  Virginia,) 
held  a Treaty  with  the  Cherokee  Indians,  in  order  to  pur- 
chase the  lands  of  the  Western  Frontiers;  in  consequence  of 
which  Treaty,  many  of  your  petitioners  settled  on  the  lands 
of  the  Wataugali,  &c.,  expecting  to  be  within  the  Virginia 
line,  and  consequently  hold  their  lands  by  their  improvements 
as  first  settlers;  but  to  their  great  disappointment,  when  the 
line  was  run  they  were  (contrary  to  their  expectation)  left 
out ; finding  themselves  thus  disappointed,  and  being  too  in- 
conveniently situated  to  remove  back,  and  feeling  an  un- 
willingness to  loose  the  labour  bestowed  on  their  planta- 
tions, they  applied  to  the  Cherokee  Indians,  and  leased  the 
land  for  the  term  of  ten  years,  before  the  expiration  of  which 
term,  it  appeared  that  many  persons  of  distinction  were  ac- 
tually making  purchases  forever  ; thus  yielding  a precedent, 
(supposing  many  of  them,  who  were  gentlemen  of  the  law, 
to  be  better  judges  of  the  constitution  than  we  were,)  and 
considering  the  bad  consequences  it  must  be  attended  with, 
should  the  reversion  be  purchased  out  of  our  hands,  we  next 
proceeded  to  make  a purchase  of  the  lands,  reserving 
those  in  our  possession  in  sufficient  tracts  for  our  own 
use,  and  resolving  to  dispose  of  the  remainder  for  the  good 
of  the  community.  This  purchase  was  made  and  the  lands 
acknowledged  to  us  and  our  heirs  forever,  in  an  open  treaty, 
in  Wataugah  Old  Fields  ; a deed  being  obtained  from  the 
chiefs  of  the  said  Cherokee  nation,  for  themselves  and  their 
whole  nation,  conveying  a fee  simple  right  to  the  said  lands, 
to  us  and  our  heirs  forever,  which  deed  was  for  and  in  con- 
sideration of  the  sum  of  two  thousand  pounds  sterling,  (paid 
to  them  in  goods,)  for  which  consideration  they  acknowledged 
themselves  fully  satisfied,  contented  and  paid;  and  agreed, 
for  themselves,  their  whole  nation,  their  heirs,  &c.,  forever 
to  resign,  warrant  and  defend  the  said  lands  to  us,  and 
our  heirs,  &c.,  against  themselves,  their  heirs,  &c. 

“ The  purchase  was  no  sooner  made,  than  we  were  alarmed 
by  the  reports  of  the  present  unhappy  differences  between 
Great  Britain  and  America,  on  which  report,  (taking  the 
now  united  colonies  for  our  guide,)  we  proceeded  to  choose 


130 


PETITION  OF  WATAUGA  PEOPLE 


a committee,  which  was  done  unanimously  by  consent  of 
the  people.  This  committee  (willing  to  become  a party  in  the 
present  unhappy  contest)  resolved,  (which  is  now  on  our 
records,)  to  adhere  strictly  to  the  rules  and  orders  of  the 
Continental  Congress,  and  in  open  committee  acknowledged 
themselves  indebted  to  the  united  colonies  their  full  pro- 
portion of  the  Continental  expense. 

“Finding  ourselves  on  the  Frontiers,  and  being  apprehen- 
sive that,  for  the  want  of  a proper  legislature,  we  might  be- 
come a shelter  for  such  as  endeavoured  to  defraud  their 
creditors  ; considering  also  the  necessity  of  recording  Deeds, 
Wills,  and  doing  other  public  business  ; we,  by  consent  of 
the  people,  formed  a court  for  the  purposes  above  mentioned, 
taking  (by  desire  of  our  constituents)  the  Virginia  laws  for 
our  guide,  so  near  as  the  situation  of  affairs  would  admit ; 
this  was  intended  for  ourselves,  and  was  done  by  the  consent 
of  every  individual ; but  wherever  we  had  to  deal  with  peo- 
ple out  of  our  district,  we  have  ruled  them  to  bail,  to  abide 
by  our  determinations,  (which  was,  in  fact,  leaving  the  mat- 
ter to  reference,)  otherways  we  dismissed  their  suit,  lest  we 
should  in  any  way  intrude  on  the  legislature  of  the  colonies. 
In  short,  we  have  endeavoured  so  strictly  to  do  justice,  that 
we  have  admitted  common  proof  against  ourselves,  on  ac- 
counts, &c.,  from  the  colonies,  without  pretending  a right  to 
require  the  Colony  Seal. 

“ We  therefore  trust  we  shall  be  considered  as  we  deserve, 
and  not  as  we  have  (no  doubt)  been  many  times  represented, 
as  a lawless  mob.  It  is  for  this  very  reason  we  can  assure  you 
that  we  petition  ; we  now  again  repeat  it,  that  it  is  for  want 
of  proper  authority  to  try  and  punish  felons,  we  can  only 
mention  to  you  murderers,  horse-thieves  and  robbers,  and 
are  sorry  to  say  that  some  of  them  have  escaped  us  for  want 
of  proper  authority.  We  trust,  however,  this  will  not 
long  be  the  case ; and  we  again  and  again  repeat  it,  that  it 
is  for  this  reason  we  petition  to  this  Honourable  Assembly. 

“ Above  we  have  given  you  an  extract  of  our  proceedings, 
since  our  settling  on  Wataugah,  Nonachuckie,  &c.,  in  regard 
to  our  civil  affairs.  We  have  shown  you  the  causes  of  our  first 
settling  and  the  disappointments  we  have  met  with,  the  rea- 


TO  BE  ANNEXED  TO  NORTH- CAROLINA. 


137 


son  of  our  lease  and  of  our  purchase,  the  manner  in  which 
we  purchased,  and  how  we  hold  of  the  Indians  in  fee  simple  ; 
the  causes  of  our  forming  a committee,  and  the  legality  of  its 
election  ; the  same  of  our  Court  and  proceedings,  and  our 
reasons  for  petitioning  in  regard  to  our  legislature. 

“ We  will  now  proceed  to  give  you  some  account  of  our 
military  establishments,  which  were  chosen  agreeable  to  the 
rules  established  by  convention,  and  officers  appointed  by  the 
committee.  This  being  done,  we  thought  it  proper  to  raise  a 
company  on  the  District  service,  as  our  proportion,  to  act  in  the 
common  cause  on  the  sea  shore.  A company  of  fine  riflemen 
were  accordingly  enlisted,  and  put  under  Capt.  James  Robert- 
son, and  were  actually  embodied,  when  we  received  sundry 
letters  and  depositions,  (copies  of  which  we  now  enclose 
you,)  you  will  then  readily  judge  that  there  was  occasion  for 
them  in  another  place,  where  we  daily  expected  an  attack. 
We  therefore  thought  proper  to  station  them  on  our  Frontiers, 
in  defence  of  the  common  cause,  at  the  expense  and  risque  of 
our  own  private  fortunes,  till  farther  public  orders,  which  we 
flatter  ourselves  will  give  no  offence.  We  have  enclosed  you 
sundry  proceedings  at  the  station  where  our  men  now  re- 
main. 

“ We  shall  now  submit  the  whole  to  your  candid  and  impar- 
tial judgment.  We  pray  your  mature  aud  deliberate  con- 
sideration in  our  behalf,  that  you  may  annex  us  to  your 
Province,  (whether  as  county,  district,  or  other  division,)  in 
such  manner  as  may  enable  us  to  share  in  the  glorious  cause 
of  Liberty;  enforce  our  laws  under  authority,  and  in  every 
respect  become  the  best  members  of  society  ; and  for  our- 
selves and  constituents  we  hope,  we  may  venture  to  assure 
you,  that  we  shall  adhere  strictly  to  your  determinations, 
and  that  nothing  will  be  lacking  or  any  thing  neglected,  that 
may  add  weight  (in  the  civil  or  military  establishments)  to 
the  glorious  cause  in  which  we  are  now  struggling,  or 
contribute  to  the  welfare  of  our  own  or  ages  yet  to  come. 

“ That  you  may  strictly  examine  every  part  of  this  our  Peti- 
tion, and  delay  no  time  in  annexing  us  to  your  Province,  in 
such  a manner  as  your  wisdom  shall  direct,  is  the  hearty 


138 


FIRST  INHABITANTS  OF  WATAUGA. 


prayer  of  those  who,  for  themselves  and  constituents,  as  in 
duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 


John  Carter,  Chn. 

John  Sevier, 

John  Jones, 

Charles  Roberdson, 

Jas.  Smith, 

George  Rusel, 

James  Robertson, 

Jacob  Brown, 

Jacob  Womack, 

Zach.  Isbell, 

Wm.  Been, 

Robert  Lucas. 

The  above  signers 

are  the  Members  in  Committee  assembled. 

Wm.  Tatiiam,  Clerk,  P.  T. 

Jacob  Womack, 

John  Brown, 

Adam  Sherrell, 

Joseph  Dunham, 

Jos.  Brown, 
Job  Bumper, 

Samuel  Sherrell,  junr. 

Rice  Durroon, 
Edward  Hopson, 

Samuel  Sherrell,  senr. 

Isaac  Wilson, 

Ossa  Rose, 

Lew.  Bowyer,  D.  Atty,  Richard  Norton, 

Henry  Bates,  jun., 

Joseph  Buller, 

George  Hutson, 

Jos.  Grimes, 
Christopher  Cunning- 

Andw.  Greer, 

Thomas  Simpson, 

his 

Valentine  Sevier, 

ham,  sen., 

Joab  Mitchell, 

Jonathan  Tipton, 

Joshua  Barten,  sen., 

mark. 

Robert  Sevier, 

Joud.  Bostin,  sen., 

Gideon  Morris, 

Drury  Goodan, 

Henry  Bates,  jun., 

Shad  rack  Morris, 

Richard  Fletcher, 

Will’m  Dod, 

William  Crocket, 

Ellexander  Greear, 

Groves  Morris, 

Thos.  Dedtnon, 

Jos.  Greear, 

Wm.  Bates, 

David  Hickey, 
Mark  Mitchell, 

Andrew  Greear,  jun., 

Rob’t  Mosely, 

Teeler  .Nave, 

Ge.  Hartt, 

Hugh  Blair, 

Lewis  Jones, 

Isaac  Wilson, 

Elias  Pebeer, 

John  I.  Cox, 

Jno.  Waddell, 

Jos.  Brown, 
John  Neave, 

John  Cox,  jr., 

Jarret  Williams, 

Abraham  Cox, 

Oldham  Hightower, 

John  Robinson, 
Christopher  Cunning- 

Emanuel  Shote, 

Abednago  Idix, 

- Tho.  Houghton, 

Charles  McCartney, 

ham, 

Jos.  Luskej 

Frederick  Vaughn, 

Jas.  Easeley, 

Wm.  Reeves, 

Jos.  McCartney, 

Ambrose  Hodge, 

David  Hughes, 

Mark  Robertson, 

Danjl  Morris, 

Landcn  Carter, 

Joseph  Calvit, 

Wm.  Cox, 

John  McCormick, 

Joshua  Houghton, 

James  Easley, 

David  Crocket, 

John  Chukinbeard, 

John  Haile, 

Edw’d  Cox, 

James  .Cooper, 

Elijah  Robertson, 

Tho’s  Hughes, 

William  Brokees, 

William  Clark, 

William  Roberson, 

Julius  Robertson, 

his 

Henry  Siler, 

John  King, 

John  M Dunham, 

Frederick  Calyit, 

Michael  Ilider, 

mark. 

John  Moore,  V 

John  Davis, 
John  Barley.” 

Wm.  Overall, 
Matt.  Hawkins, 

William  Newberry, 

This  document  : 

is  without  date.  The 

: original,  now  in  the 

state  archives  at  Raleigh,  has  endorsed  upon  it,  “ Received 
August  22,  1776.”  It  had  been  probably  drawn  up  in  the 
early  part  of  that  year.  Nothing  has  been  found  after  the 


WATAUGA  SENDS  DELEGATES  TO  PROVINCIAL  CONGRESS.  139 


most  careful  examination,  to  show  what  action  was  taken 
by  the  Provincial  Council  in  reference  to  the  petition.  It  is 
probable,  however,  that  in  the  exercise  of  its  now  omnipotent 
and  unrestricted  authority,  the  Council  advised  the  settlers  to 
send  forward  their  representatives  to  the  Provincial  Congress 
at  Halifax,  as  it  is  known  they  did  as  delegates  from  “ Wash- 
ington District,  Watauga  Settlement.”  The  name  Washing- 
ton District,  being  in  the  petition  itself,  must  have  been 
assumed  by  the  people  petitioning,  and  was  probably  sug- 
gested by  John  Sevier,  who,  during  his  residence  at  Wil- 
liamsburg, had  doubtless  known  Col.  George  Washington, 
now  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  American  army.  It  is 
not  known  to  this  writer  that  the  authorities  or  people  of 
any  other  province  had  previously  honoured  Washington  by 
giving  his  name  to  one  of  its  towns  or  districts — a district, 
too,  of  such  magnificent  dimensions,  extending  from  the  Al- 
leghany Mountains  to  the  Mississippi.  A most  suitable 
tribute  of  respect  to  the  exalted  character  and  enlarged  pa- 
triotism of  the  Father  of  his  Country  ! The  pioneers  of 
Tennessee  were,  probably,  the  first  thus  to  honour  Wash- 
ington. 

The  District  of  Washington  being,  as  is  probable,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners,  “ annexed”  to  North- 
Carolina,  was  thus  authorized  to  send  its  representatives  to 
the  Provincial  Congress  at  Halifax.  That  body  assembled 
at  that  place  Nov.  12,  1776,  and  continued  in  session  till  the 
18th  of  December.  A Bill  of  Rights  and  a State  Constitution 
were  adopted. 

In  the  last  section  of  the  Declaration  of  Rights,  the  limits 
of  the  state,  on  the  west,  are  made  to  extend  “ so  far  as  is 
mentioned  in  the  charter  of  King  Charles  the  Second,  to  the 
late  Proprietors  of  Carolina  and  the  hunting  grounds  are 
secured  to  the  Indians  as  far  as  any  former  legislature  had 
secured,  or  any  future  legislature  might  secure  to  them. 

Amongst  the  members  of  this  Congress  were  Charles  Ro- 
bertson, J ohn  Carter,  John  Haile  and  John  Sevier,  from  “Wash- 
ington District,  Watauga  Settlement.”*  Her  remote  and  pa- 
triotic citizens,  on  the  extreme  frontier,  thus  participated  in 
* Womack  was  also  elected,  but  did  not  attend. 


140 


TOPOGRAPHY  OF  WATAUGA. 


laying  the  foundation  of  government  for  the  free,  sovereign 
and  independent  State  of  North-Carolina.  In  that  part  of  the 
Declaration  of  Rights  adopted  by  the  Congress,  specifying 
the  limits  of  the  state,  is  the  proviso,  “ that  it  shall  not  be  so 
construed  as  to  prevent  the  establishment  of  one  or  more  govern- 
ments westward  of  this  slate,  by  consent  of  the  legislature"  This 
was  inserted,  probably,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  young  legisla- 
tors from  Watauga.  In  their  number — the  last  in  the  list  as 
here  given — was  the  future  Governor  of  Franklin  and  of  Ten- 
nessee. His  fortune,  as  will  be  shown  in  the  further  pro- 
gress of  these  annals,  was  hereafter  hewn  out  by  his  sword 
and  shaped  by  his  wonderful  capacities.  Could  he  have  been, 
at  this  time,  preparing  a theatre  for  their  future  employment 
and  exhibition  ? 

WATAUGA. 

The  topography  o'f  Watauga  has  become  interesting,  and 
the  modern  visitant  to  that  early  home  of  the  pioneers  of  Ten- 
nessee and  the  West,  lingers  around  and  examines,  with  in- 
tense curiosity  and  almost  with  veneration,  the  places  conse- 
crated as* their  residence  or  their  entombment.  The  annalist, 
partaking  deeply  in  this  feeling,  has  used  every  effort  to  identify 
these  localities.  He  has  made  more  than  one  pilgrimage  to 
these  time-honoured  and  historic  places.  In  all  time  to  come 
they  will  be  pointed  out  and  recognized  as  the  abode  and  rest- 
ing place  of  enterprise,  virtue,  hardihood,  patriotism — the  an- 
cestral monument  of  real  worth  and  genuine  greatness. 

“Watauga  Old  Fields,”  already  mentioned,  occupied  the 
site  of  the  present  Elizabethton,  in  Carter  county.  Tradition 
says  it  was  once  an  ancient  Indian  village,  of  which,  when 
Mr.  Andrew  Greer,  an  early  hunter  and  explorer,  first  set- 
tled it,  no  trace  remained  but  the  cleared  land.  In  confirma- 
tion of  that  tradition  it  may  be  remarked,  that  a short  distance 
above  that  place,  on  the  south  side  of  Watauga  River  and  im- 
mediately upon  its  bank,  an  ancient  cemetery  is  seen,  in  which 
are  deposited  quite  a number  of  human  skeletons. 

“The  Watauga  Fort” was  erected  upon  the  land  once  owned 
and  occupied  by  an  old  settler,  Matthew  Tolbot.  The  land 
is  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Eva  Gillespie.  The  fort  stood  upon 


RESIDENCES  OF  THE  PIONEERS. 


141 


a knoll  below  the  present  site  of  Mrs.  Gillespie’s  house,  in  a 
bottom,  about  half  a mile  north-east  of  the  mouth  of  Gap 
Creek.  The  spot  is  easily  identified  by  a few  graves  and  the 
large  locust  tree  standing  conspicuously  on  the  right  of  the 
road  leading  to  Elizabethton.  Let  it  ever  be  a sacrilege  to 
cut  down  that  old  locust  tree — growing,  as  it  does,  near  the 
ruins  of  the  Watauga  fort  which  sheltered  the  pioneer  and 
protected  his  family — where  the  soldiery  of  Watauga  fought 
under  Captain  Robertson  and  Lieutenant  Sevier,  and  where 
the  Courts  of  the  Association  were  held,  and  even-handed  jus- 
tice was  administered  under  the  self-constituted  legislature, 
judiciary  and  executive  of  the  Watauga  settlers. 

Besides  the  fort  proper,  there  were  near,  and  within  reach 
of  its  guns,  a court-house  and  jail.  These  were,  necessarily, 
of  the  plainest  structure,  being  made  of  round  poles.  In  1782 
the  former  was  converted  into  a stable. 

Higher  up  the  river,  and  on  the  north  s’de  of  it,  near  the 
closing  in  of  a ridge,  upon  a low  flat  piece  of  land,  stood 
another  fort.  The  land  was  then  owned  by  Valentine  Se- 
vier, Sen.,  now  by  Mr.  Hart.  On  Doe  River  was  a third  fort, 
in  the  cove  of  that  stream.  The  Parkinsons  forted  here. 
The  farm  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Hampton.  Carter  Wo 
mack  had  a fort  near  the  head  of  Watauga  ; its  exact  loca- 
tion is  not  now  known.  During  an  outbreak  of  the  Indians, 
men  were  sent  from  this  fort  to  protect  settlements  lower 
down  the  country.  Another  fort  stood  near  the  mouth  of 
Sinking  Creek,  on  land  now  owned  by  Bashere,  then  by 
Dunjain. 

RESIDENCES  OF  THE  FIRST  SETTLERS  OF  WATAUGA. 

James  Robertson  lived  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  at 
the  upper  end  of  the  island,  on  lands  since  the  property  of 
A.  M.  Carter,  Esq.,  deceased,  late  of  Elizabethton.  Valen- 
tine Sevier,  Jun.,  at  one  time  lived  where  Mr.  Hickey  now 
resides,  opposite  N.  G.  Taylor’s  store.  Valentine  Sevier, 
Sen.,  owned  the  land  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Hart.  Colonel 
John  Carter’s  residence  was  about  half  a mile  north  of  Eliz- 
abethton, on  the  property  still  owned  by  his  grandson,  Gene- 
ral James  J.  Carter.  The  house  of  Mr.  Andrew  Greer  was 


142 


FIRST  MILLS  ERECTED  IN  TENNESSEE. 


on  Watauga  River,  about  three  miles  above  Elizabethton, 
near  to  the  place  where  Henry  Nave,  Jun.,  now  lives.  Mr. 
Greer  was  an  Indian  trader,  and  at  a very  early  period,  per- 
haps 1706,  came  with  Julius  C.  Dugger  to  the  West.  They 
are  believed  to  be  the  first  white  men  that  settled  south  of 
what  was  afterwards  ascertained  to  be  the  Virginia  line. 
After  them  came  the  Robertsons,  John  Carter,  Michael  Ily- 
der,  the  Seviers,  Dunjains,  McNabbs,  Matthew  Tolbot,  the 
Hortons,  McLinns,  and  Simeon  Bundy.  The  latter  of  these 
was  the  first  settler  on  Gap  Creek  His  house  stood  near  the 
Big  Spring,  the  head  of  that  stream.  Soon  after  the  arrival 
on  the  Watauga  of  the  emigrants  above  named,  came  the 
Beans,  the  Cobbs  and  the  Webbs,  and,  subsequently,  the  Tip- 
tons  and  Taylors.  Julius  C.  Dugger  lived  and  died  at  a 
place  still  owned  by  his  heirs,  and  known  as  Dugger’s  Bridge, 
fourteen  miles  up  the  Watauga  from  Elizabethton.  Mr. 
Horton  lived  at  the  Green  Hill,  a little  south  of  the  Watauga 
Springs.  Joshua,  his  son,  owned  the  present  residence  of 
Samuel  Tipton,  and  another  son,  Richard,  lived  at  the  place 
now  occupied  by  Mr.  Renfro.  Charles  Robertson  lived  on 
Sinking  Creek,  on  the  property  now  owned  by  John  Ellis. 
Ambrose  Hodge  lived  where  Wm.  Wheeler  now  resides,  on 
the  road  leading  to  Jonesboro,  from  Elizabethton.  Mr.  Ho- 
neycut,  whose  hospitality  furnished  the  first  home  to  James 
Robertson,  lived  about  Roane’s  Creek,  near  the  Watauga. 
Evan  Shelby  lived  and  died  at  the  place  now  known  as 
King’s  Meadows,  in  Sullivan  county,  near  the  Virginia  line> 
where  his  grave  is  still  pointed  out.  Michael  Hyder  lived 
on  Powder  Branch,  a mile  south  of  Watauga.  His  son  has 
built  his  present  residence  near  the  site  of  the  old  mansion. 
James  Edens  settled  near  the  Big  Springs  on  Gap  Creek,  the 
place  now  occupied  by  his  son. 

The  first  mill  erected  in  all  the  country,  was  on  Buffalo 
Creek.  It  belonged  to  Baptist  McNabb,  and  stood  near 
where  David  Pugh  since  lived.  About  the  same  time,  an- 
other mill  was  built  by  Matthew  Tolbot  on  Gap  Creek. 
The  property  is  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of  - — — --  Love.* 

*To  one  of  whom,  Mr.  John  Love,  recently  deceased  at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  the 
writer  is  indebted  for  many  of  these  details. 


COMMENCEMENT  OF  CHEROKEE  HOSTILITY. 


143 


In  August,  1775,  Rev.  William  Tennent  informed  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress  of  South-Carol  ina,  that  Cameron  was  among 
the  Over-hill  Cherokees,  and  would  soon  join  the  disaffected 
with  three  thousand  Cherokee  gun-men,  who  will  fight  for  the 
king.  An  Indian  talk  was  intercepted,  which  contained  an 
assurance  from  the  Cherokees  that  they  were  ready  to  attend 
Cameron,  and  massacre  all  the  back  settlers  of  Carolina  and 
Georgia,  without  distinction  of  age  or  sex. 

In  a letter  to  Lord  Dartmouth,  under  date,  Boston,  June  12, 
1775,  Gen.  Gage  said  : “ We  need  not  be  tender  of  calling  on 
the  savages”  * to  attack  the  Americans. 

In  this  year  an  Indian  trader,  Andrew  Greer,  one  of  the  first, 
( if  not  the  very  first  settler  of  Watauga,  being  in  the 
( Cherokee  towns,  suspected,  from  the  conduct  of  Walker 
and  another  trader,  that  some  mischief  was  intended  against 
him.  He  returned  with  his  furs,  but  left  the  main  trading 
path  and  came  up  the  Nollichucky  Trace.  Boyd  and  Dogget, 
who  had  been  sent  out  by  Virginia,  travelling  on  the  path 
that  Greer  left,  were  met  by  Indians  near  a creek,  were  killed 
by  them  and  their  bodies  thrown  into  the  water.  The  creek 
is  in  Sevier  county,  and  has  ever  since  been  known  as  Boyd’s 
Creek.  A watch  and  other  articles  were  afterwards  found 
in  the  creek — the  watch  had  Boyd’s  name  engraved  on  the 
case.  He  was  a Scotchman.  This  was  the  commencement 
of  the  Cherokee  hostility,  and  was  believed  to  be  instigated 
by  the  agents  of  the  British  government.  One  of  its  mea- 
sures adopted  to  oppress  and  subjugate  the  disaffected  Ameri- 
can colonies,  was  to  arm  the  neighbouring  tribes  and  to  sti- 
mulate them  against  the  feeble  settlements  on  their  border. 
The  southern  colonies  had  expressed  a decided  sympathy  with 
their  aggrieved  brethren  in  Massachusetts,  and  lying  adjacent 
to  the  warlike  Cherokee  tribe,  it  was  desired  to  secure  the 
alliance  of  these  savages  against  them  in  the  existing  urar. 
Early  in  the  year  1776,  John  Stuart,  the  Superintendent  of 
Southern  Indian  Affairs,  received  his  instructions  from  the 
British  War  Department,  and  immediately  dispatched  to  his 
deputies,  resident  among  the  different  tribes,  orders  to  carry 
into  effect  the  wishes  of  his  government.  Alexander  Came- 
*Am.  Archives,  vol.  ii.,  folio  968. 


144 


HUMANITY  OF  NANCY  WARD. 


ron,  a Highland  officer,  who  had  fought  for  America  in  the 
French  war,  was  at  this  time  the  Agent  for  the  Cherokee 
nation.  Receiving  from  Stuart  his  orders,  he  lost  no  time  in 
convoking  the  chiefs  and  warriors,  and  making  known  to 
them  the  designs  of  his  government.  He  informed  them  of 
the  difficulties  between  the  King  and  his  American  subjects, 
and  endeavoured  to  enlist  them  in  favour  of  his  monarch. 

The  Indians  could  scarcely  believe  that  the  war  was  real — 
a war  among  savages  that  speak  the  same  language  being 
unknown.  This  phenomenon  confused  them.  The  Ameri- 
cans, moreover,  had  friends  in  the  towns,  who  endeavoured 
to  counteract  the  intrigues  of  the  Agent,  and  to  gain  time  to 
apprise  the  frontier  inhabitants  of  the  danger  which  threat- 
ened them.  But  by  promises  of  presents  in  clothing,  the  plun- 
der of  the  conquered  settlements,  and  the  appropriation  to 
their  use  of  the  hunting  grounds  to  be  reclaimed  from  the 
whites  upon  the  western  waters,  Cameron  succeeded,  event- 
ually, in  gaining  to  the  British  interests  a majority  of  the  head 
men  and  warriors.  “This  formidable  invasion  was  rendered 
much  less  destructive  than  was  intended,  by  the  address  and 
humanity  of  another  Pocahontas.  Nancy  Ward,  who  was 
nearly  allied  to  some  of  the  principal  chiefs,  obtained  know- 
ledge of  their  plan  of  attack,  and  without  delay  communicated 
it  to  Isaac  Thomas,  a trader,  her  friend  and  a true  American. 
She  procured  for  him  the  means  to  set  out  to  the  inhabitants 
of  Holston  as  an  express,  to  warn  them  of  their  danger,  which 
he  opportunely  did,  and  proceeded,  without  delay,  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  in  Virginia,  accompanied  by  William  Fallin, 
as  far  as  the  Holston  settlements’* 

The  westernmost  settlement,  late  in  the  fall  of  this  year, 
was  in  Carter’s  Valley.  Mr.  Kincaid,  Mr.  Long,  Mr.  Love  and 
Mr.  Mulkey,  a Baptist  preacher,  were  the  pioneers.  Their 
bread-corn  was  brought  from  the  neighbourhood  where  Abing- 
don now  stands.  During  that  winter  they  hunted  and  killed  buf- 
falo, twelve  or  fifteen  miles  north-west  of  their  settlement.  They 
also  cleared  a few  acres  of  land,  but  after  they  had  planted 
and  worked  their  corn  over  once,  the  rumours  of  a Cherokee 
invasion  forced  them  to  leave  their  little  farms.  In  great 

* Haywood. 


TEST  OATH  ADMINISTERED  TO  TORIES. 


145 


haste  and  confusion  all  the  families  below  the  north  fork  of 
Holston  recrossed  that  stream,  and  the  women  and  children 
were  conducted  back  as  far  as  the  present  Wythe  county. 

The  tide  of  emigration  had,  in  the  meantime,  brought  large 
accessions  to  the  three  points,  Carter’s,  Watauga  and  Brown’s, 
and  radiating  from  these  centres,  the  settlers  were  erecting 
their  cabins  and  opening  their  “improvements  ” at  some  dis- 
tance from  each,  and  approximating  the  boundaries  of  the 
parent  germ,  the  whole  began  to  assume  the  appearance  of 
one  compact  settlement.  The  policy  pursued  in  Virginia 
and  tlje  Carolinas,  under  the  direction  of  County  Associa- 
tions and  Committees  of  Safety,  ha,d  driven  many  to  the  new 
settlements.  A test  oath  was  required  of  all  suspected  of 
disaffection  to  the  American  cause.  To  avoid  the  oath,  and 
to  escape  the  consequences  of  a refusal  to  take  it  or  to  sub- 
scribe the  test,  many  tories  had  fled  to  the  extreme  frontier. 
Brown’s  was  the  furthest  point  and  the  most  difficult  of 
access.  In  this  seclusion  they  hoped  to  remain  concealed : 
but  whig  vigilance  soon  ferreted  them  out,  and  a body  of  men, 
at  the  instance  of  John  Carter,  came  from  Virginia,  went  to 
Brown’s,  called  the  inhabitants  together  and  administered  to 
them  an  oath  to  be  faithful  to  the  common  cause.  After 
this,  Brown’s  and  Watauga  were  considered  one  united  set- 
tlement, and  appointed  their  officers  as  belonging  to  the  same 
body. 

The  murder  of  Boyd  by  the  Indians,  and  a rumour  of  the 
intrigues  practiced  by  Cameron,  had  put  the  frontier  people 
upon  their  guard  against  meditated  mischief.  The  Chero- 
kees  had  so  long  maintained  friendly  relations  with  them, 
that  they  had  been  lulled  into  a state  of  false  security. 
While  they  had  provided  civil  institutions  adequate  to  the 
wants  of  the  settlers,  the  military  organization  had  been 
neglected.  They  proceeded  at  once  to  adopt  defensive  mea- 
sures, and  immediately  appointed  Carter  and  Brown  colonels, 
and  Womack  major  over  their  respective  militia.  It 
was  deemed  advisable,  also,  to  take  further  precautions  for 
the  protection  of  the  settlements  against  any  attack  that 
might  be  contemplated  by  the  savages,  and  the  more  exposed 
families  went  at  once  into  forts  and  stations. 

10 


146 


DESCRIPTION  OF  A “ STATION.” 

A fort,  in  these  rude  military  times,  consisted  of  pieces  of 
timber,  sharpened  at  the  end  and  firmly  lodged  in  the  ground; 
rows  of  these  pickets  enclosed  the  desired  space,  which 
embraced  the  cabins  of  the  inhabitants.  One  block  house, 
or  more,  of  superior  care  and  strength,  commanding  the 
sides  of  the  fort,  with  or  without  a ditch,  completed  the  forti- 
fication or  station,  as  they  are  most  commonly  called.  Gene- 
rally the  sides  of  the  interior  cabins  formed  the  sides  of  the 
fort.  Slight  as  was  this  advance  in  the  art  of  war,  it  was 
more  than  sufficient  against  attacks  of  small  arms,  in  the 
hands  of  such  desultory  warriors,  as  their  irregular  supplies 
of  provisions  necessarily  rendered  the  Indians.*  The  place 
selected  for  a station  was  generally  the  cabin  most  central 
to  the  whole  settlement  to  be  protected  by  it.  Often,  how- 
ever, it  was  otherwise  ; an  elevated  position,  not  surrounded 
by  woods,  cliffs  or  other  fastnesses,  from  which  assailants 
could  deliver  their  fire  under  cover;  contiguity  to  a spring, 
a river,  or  other  stream  of  water,  a supply  of  fuel ; — all  these 
had  their  influence  in  deciding  the  place  selected  for  a fort. 
Sometimes  the  proximity  of  a number  of  adjacent  settlers, 
cultivating  the  same  plantation,  or  working  in  the  same 
clearing , overbalanced  other  considerations.  A grist  mill 
was  often  a sine  qua  non  in  the  selection  of  a site,  and  espe- 
cially if,  in  case  of  a protracted  siege,  it  could  be  enclosed 
by  the  palisades  or  commanded  by  the  rifles  of  a fort. 

The  boundaries  of  Brown’s  settlement,  on  the  west,  ex- 
tended down  Nollichucky,  below  the  mouth  of  Big  Limestone 
Creek,  and  that  neighbourhood  being  the  weakest  and  first 
exposed,  a fort  was  built  at  Gillespie’s,  near  the  river,  and  a 
garrison  was  stationed  in  it.  Another  one  was  built  at 
Watauga — another  at  Heaton’s,  known  as  Heaton’s  Station. 
It  stood  in  the  fork  between  the  north  and  south  branches  of 
Holston,  and  about  six  miles  from  their  confluence.  Evan 
Shelby  erected  one  on  Beaver  Creek,  two  miles  south  of  the 
Virginia  line.  There  was  one,  also,  at  Womack’s,  and 
three  or  four  miles  east  of  it,  on  Holston,  John  Shelby  also 
built  a station.  In  Carter’s  Valley  there  were  several,  f 

* Butler. 

t It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  site  of  many  of  the  forts  and  stations  in  Tennessee 


stuart’s  letter  to  the  frontier  people. 


147 


During  these  preparations  for  defence,  other  information 
reached  the  Watauga  Committee,  confirming  the  previous 
intelligence  of  approaching  invasion.  On  the  18th  ot  May 
they  received  a copy  of  a letter  addressed  by  Mr.  Stuart, 
under  date  May  9th,  to  the  frontier  people.  The  circum- 
stances attending  its  delivery  were  exceedingly  suspicious, 
and  gave  rise  to  the  gravest  apprehensions.  The  letter  and 
the  affidavit  of  Nathan  Read,  who  was  present  at  Mr. 
Charles  Robertson’s  house  at  night,  when  it  was  delivered, 
are  here  given : 

“Wattaga. — This  day  Nathan  Read  came  before  me,  one  of  the  Jus- 
tices of  Wattaga,  and  made  oath  on  the  Holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty 
God,  that  a stranger  came  up  to  Charles  Robertson’s  gate  yesterday  eve- 
ning— who  he  was  he  did  not  know — and  delivered  a letter  of  which 
this  is  a true  copy.  Sworn  before  me  the  19th  of  May,  1776. 

John  Carter. 

Attest — James  Smith.” 

“ Gentlemen — Some  time  ago  Mr.  Cameron  and  myself  wrote  you  a 
letter  by  Mr.  Thomas,  and  enclosed  a talk  we  had  with  the  Indians 
respecting  the  purchase  which  is  reported  you  lately  made  of  them  on 
the  Rivers  Wattaga,  Nollicbuckey,  &c.  We  are  sincein  formed  that  you 
are  under  great  apprehensions  of  the  Indians  doing  mischief  immediately. 
But  it  is  not  the  desire  of  his  Majesty  to  set  his  friends  and  allies,  the 
Indians,  on  his  liege  subjects  : Therefore,  whoever  you  are  that  are  will- 
ing to  join  his  Majesty’s  forces  as  soon  as  they  arrive  at  the  Cherokee 
Nation,  by  repairing  to  the  King’s  standard,  shall  find  protection  for 
themselves  and  their  families,  and  be  free  from  all  danger  whatever ; 
yet,  that  his  Majesty’s  officers  may  be  certain  which  of  you  are  willing 
to  take  up  arms  in  his  Majesty’s  just  right,  I have  thought  fit  to  recom- 
mend it  to  you  and  every  one  that  is  desirous  of  preventing  inevitable 
ruin  to  themselves  and  families,  immediately  to  subscribe  a written  paper 
acknowledging  their  allegiance  to  his  Majesty,  King  George,  and  that 
they  are  ready  and  willing,  whenever  they  are  called  on,  to  appear  in 
arms  in  defence  of  the  British  right  in  America ; which  paper,  as  soon 
as  it  is  signed  and  sent  to  me,  by  safe  hand,  should  any  of  the  inhabitants 

can  no  longer  be  satisfactorily  identified.  Convinced  as  he  was  of  the  value  and 
interest  these  sites  -would  have  given  to  this  work,  the  writer  has  endeavoured,  in 
various  ways,  to  ascertain  them,  with  the  view  of  perpetuating  them  in  a diagram 
or  map,  to  be  inserted  in  this  volume.  These  endeavours  have  been  fruitless.  F rom 
some  correspondents,  in  a few  counties,  he  has  procured  some  information  on  the 
subject.  From  others  he  learns  that  the  early  settlers  are  no  longer  there  to 
impart  the  desired  knowledge,  and  from  others  no  reply  has  been  received  to  his 
inquiries.  Public  attention  in  Tennessee  is  respectfully  invited  to  this  subject. 


148 


williams’s  disclosures 


be  desirous  of  knowing  bow  they  are  to  be  free  from  every  kind  of  insult 
and  danger,  inform  them,  that  his  Majesty  will  immediately  land  an  army 
in  West  Florida,  march  them  through  the  Creek  to  the  Chickasaw  Nation, 
where  five  hundred  warriors  from  each  nation  are  to  join  them,  and  then 
come  by  Chota,  who  have  promised  their  assistance,  and  . then  to  take 
possession  of  the  frontiers  of  North-Carolina  and  Virginia,  at  the  same 
time  that  his  Majesty’s  forces  make  a diversion  on  the  sea  coast  of  those 
Provinces.  If  any  of  the  inhabitants  have  any  beef,  cattle,  flour,  pork 
or  horses  to  spare,  they  shall  have  a good  price  for  them  by  applying  to 
us,  as  soon  as  his  Majesty’s  troops  are  embodied. 

I am  yours,  Ac., 

Henry  Stuart.” 

Henry  was  the  brother  of  John  Stuart,  and  Deputy  Superin- 
tendent of  Indian  Affairs,  and  in  that  capacity  had  been  sent  to 
the  Cherokees  by  Cameron.  The  letter  was  doubtless  handed 
by  some  incognito  loyalist  from  South-Carolina,  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  Col.  Kirkland,  to  whom  such  negotiations  were 
familiar.  Charles  Robertson  had  emigrated  from  that  Pro- 
vince, and  it  may  have  been,  was  known  to  some  of  the  dis- 
affected back-settlers  there.  They  mistook  their  man.  They 
knew  the  spirit  neither  of  Robertson  nor  his  countrymen.  None 
could  have  been  more  prompt  nor  more  vigorous  in  spurning 
the  bribe  and  disregarding  their  threats  or  resisting  the  exe- 
cution of  their  plans. 

Mr.  Jarret  Williams,  on  his  way  to  Virginia  from  the  Che- 
rokee villages,  came  to  Watauga  and  communicated  addi- 
tional confirmation  of  the  hostile  intention  of  the  Indians.  It 
will  be  found  in  the  subjoined  affidavit,  afterwards  published 
in  the  “Philadelphia  Packet”  of  Aug.  13,  1776. 

“ Fincastle,  ss.- — The  deposition  of  Jarret  Williams,  taken  before  me, 
Anthony  Bledsoe,  a Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  county  aforesaid,  being 
first  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty  God,  deposeth  and  saith  : 
That  he  left  the  Cherokee  Nation  on  Monday  night,  the  8th  inst.  (July) ; 
that  the  part  of  the  Nation  called  the  Over-hills,  were  then  preparing  to 
go  to  war  against  the  frontiers  of  Virginia,  having  purchased  to  the  amount 
of  1000  skins,  or  thereabouts,  for  mockasons.  They  -were  also  beating 
flour  for  a march,  and  making  other  warlike  preparations.  Their  num- 
ber, from  calculation  made  by  the  Raven  Warrior,  amounts  to  about  six 
hundred  warriors ; and,  according  to  the  deponent’s  idea,  he  thinks  we 
may  expect  a general  attack  every  hour.  They  propose  to  take  away 
negroes,  horses,  and  to  kill  all  kinds  of  cattle,  sheep,  Ac.,  for  which 
purpose  they  are  -well  stocked  with  bows  and  arrows  ; also,  to  destroy 
all  corn,  burn  houses,  Ac.  AdcI  he  also  heard,  that  the  Valley  towns  were, 
a part  of  them,  set  off ; but  that  they  had  sent  a runner  to  stop  them 


OF  THREATENED  INVASION. 


149 


till  all  were  ready  to  start.  He  farther  relates,  that  Alexander  Cameron 
informed  them  that  he  had  concluded  to  send  Captain  Nathaniel  Guest, 
"William  Faulin,  Isaac  Williams  and  the  deponent,  with  the  Indians,  till 
they  came  near  to  Nonachucky ; then  the  Indians  were  to  stop,  and  Guest 
and  the  other  whites,  above  mentioned,  were  to  go  to  see  if  there  were 
any  King’s  men  among  the  inhabitants ; and  if  they  found  any,  they 
were  to  take  them  off  to  the  Indians,  or  have  a white  signal  in  their  hands, 
or  otherwise  to  distinguish  them.  When  this  was  done,  they  were  to 
fall  on  the  inhabitants,  and  kill  and  drive  all  they  possibly  could.  That 
on  Saturday,  the  6th  instant,  in  the  night,  he  heard  two  prisoners  were 
brought  in  about  midnight,  but  the  deponent  saw  only  one.  That  the 
within  Williams  saw  only  one  scalp  brought  by  a party  of  Indians,  with 
a prisoner  ; but,  from  accounts,  they  had  five  scalps.  He  also  says  he 
heard  the  prisoner  examined  by  Cameron,  though  he  gave  a very  imper- 
fect account,  being  very  much  cast  down.  Pie  further  says,  that  the 
Cherokees  had  received  the  war-belt  from  the  Shawnese,  Mingo,  Taa- 
wah  and  Delaware  Nations,  to  strike  the  white  people.  That  fifteen  of 
the  said  nations  were  in  the  Cherokee  towns,  and  that  few  of  the  Chero- 
kees went  in  company  with  the  Shawnese,  &c.  That  they  all  intended 
to  strike  the  settlers  in  Kentucky ; and  that  the  Cherokees  gave  the  said 
Shawnese,  &c.,  four  scalps  of  white  men,  which  they  carried  away  with 
them.  The  said  Shawnese  and  Mingoes  informed  the  Cherokees  that 
they  then  were  at  peace  with  every  other  nation  ; that  the  French  were 
to  supply  them  with  ammunition,  and  that  they  wanted  the  Cherokees 
to  join  them  to  strike  the  white  people  on  the  frontiers,  which  the  Chero- 
kees have  agreed  to.  And  the  deponent  further  saith,  that  before  he  left 
the  nation,  a number  of  the  Cherokees  of  the  Lower  towns,  w.ere  gone 
to  fall  on  the  frontiers  of  South-Carolina  and  Georgia ; and  further  saith 
not. 

Jarret  Williams. 

Signed  before  Anthony  Bledsoe .” 

The  apprehension  of  danger  excited  amongst  the  remote 
settlers  on  Holston,  was  increased  by  the  report  some  time 
after  of  another  trader,  Robert  Dews.  The  amount  of  his 
statement  made  on  oath  was,  that  the  Indians  are.  deter- 
mined on  war.  The  Cherokees  have  received  a letter  from 
Cameron,  that  the  Creeks,  Chickasaws  and  Choctaws  are 
to  join  against  Georgia,  South-Carolina,  North-Carolina  and 
Virginia;  also  that  Captain  Stuart  had  gone  up  the  Missis- 
sippi with  goods,  ammunition,  &c.,  for  the  northern  nations, 
to  cause  them  to  fall  on  the  people  of  the  frontier.” 

Nothing  could  have  so  aroused,  and  exasperated,  and  har- 
monized public  sentiment  in  Watauga,  as  the  intelligence 
thus  given,  that  these  settlements  were  to  be  sacrificed  to 
savage  barbarity,  incited  by  British  influence.  No  where 


150 


EXPRESS  CARRIES  SEVIEr’s  LETTER. 


more  than  among  a frontier  people,  is  there  a keener  sense 
of  justice  or  a warmer  homage  for  kind  treatment  and  right- 
ful authority.  No  where,  a greater  abhorrence  of  a flagrant 
injustice  or  a deeper  resentment  for  wanton  wrong  and  cru- 
elty. Every  settler  at  once  became  a determined  whig.  On 
the  great  question  then  agitating  the  British  Colonies,  there 
was  but  one  opinion  in  the  West.  The  soldiery  was  armed, 
organized  and  prepared  for  the  conflict,  which  Cameron’s 
disclosures  demonstrated  was  at  hand. 

John  Sevier  communicated  to  the  officers  of  Fincastle 
county,  the  following : 

“Fort  Lee,  July  11,  1*7 7 6. 

“Dear  Gentlemen:  Isaac  Thomas,  Win.  Falling,  Jarot  Williams  and 
one  more,  have  this  moment  come  in  by  making  their  escape  from  the 
Indians,  and  say  six  hundred  Indians  and  whites  were  to  start  for  this 
fort,  and  intend  to  drive  the  country  up  to  New  River  before  they  re- 
turn. John  Sevier.” 

Fort  Lee  is  believed  to  be  the  name  of  the  fort  at  Wa- 
tauga. Sevier  was  at  the  latter  place  at  the  attack  upon  it, 
July  21,  and  probably  was  there  at  the  date  of  this  laconic 
epistle.*  Thus  forewarned,  the  Watauga  Committee  lost  no 
time  in  preparing  for  the  approaching  invasion.  The  forts 
were  strengthened,  and  every  measure  adopted  that  could  add 
to  the  security  of  their  people.  Having  done  everything  that 
could  be  effected  by  their  own  resources,  on  the  30th  May, 
the  Committee  sent  an  express  to  Virginia  for  aid  and  sup- 
plies of  lead  and  powder.  To  their  application  Mr.  Preston 
replies,  under  date  June  3rd,  1776. 

“ Gentlemen  : Your  letter  of  the  30th  ult.  with  the  deposition  of  Mr. 
Bryan,  came  to  hand  this  evening,  by  your  messenger.  The  news  is 
really  alarming,  with  regard  to  the  disposition  of  the  Indians,  who  are 
doubtless  advised  to  break  with  the  white  people,  by  the  enemies  to 
American  liberty  who  reside  among  them.  But  I cannot  conceive  that 
you  have  any  thing-  to  fear  from  their  pretended  invasion  by  British 
troops,  by  the  route  they  mention.  This  must,  in  my  opinion,  be  a 
scheme  purposely  calculated  to  intimidate  the  inhabitants,  either  to 
abandon  their  plantations  or  turn  enemies  to  their  country,  neither  of 
which  I hope  it  will  be  able  to  effect. 

“ Our  Convention  on  the  14th  of  May,  ordered  500  lbs.  of  gunpow- 
der to  each  of  the  counties  of  Fincastle,  Botetourt,  Augusta  and  West 
Augusta.  . . . And  double  that  quantity  of  lead  . . . They  likewise 

* The  writer  is  indebted  for  this  letter  and  the  official  report  of  the  battle  at 
the  Island  Flats,  to  the  research  and  politeness  of  L.  C.  Draper,  Esq. 


PLAN  OP  CHEROKEE  INVASION. 


151 


ordered  100  men  to  be  forthwith  raised  in  Fincastie,  to  he  stationed 
where  our  Committee  directs  for  the  protection  of  the  frontier.  * * * 

I sent  the  several  letters  and  depositions  you  furnished  me,  from  which 
it  is  reasonable  to  believe,  that  when  all  these  shall  have  been  examined 
vigourous  measures  will  be  adopted  for  our  protection. 

“ I have  advertised  our  Committee  to  meet  at  Fort  ChiswTell  on 
Tuesday,  the  11th  instant,  and  have  directed  the  candidates  for  com- 
missions in  the  new  companies,  to  exert  themselves  in  engaging  the 
number  of  men  required  until  then  ; I much  expect  we  shall  have  further 
news  from  Williamsburg  by  the  time  the  Committee  meets.  I have 
written  to  Col.  Callaway  the  second  time  for  200  lbs.  of  lead,  which 
I hope  he  will  deliver  the  bearer.  This  supply  I hope  will  be  some  re- 
lief to  your  distressed  settlement,  and  as  I said  before,  should  more  be 
wanted  I am  convinced  you  may  be  supplied.  I am  fully  convinced  that 
the  expense  will  be  repaid  you  by  the  Convention  of  Virginia  or  North- 
Carolina,  on  a fair  representation  of  the  case  being  laid  before  them, 
whichsoever  of  them  takes  your  settlement  under  protection,  as  there  is 
not  the  least  reason  that  any  one  part  of  the  colony  should  be  at  any 
extraordinary  expense  in  the  defence  of  the  whole,  and  you  may  be 
assured  you  cannot  be  over  stocked  with  that  necessary  article ; for 
should  it  please  Providence  that  the  impending- storm  should  blow  over, 
and  there  would  be  no  occasion  to  use  the  ammunition  in  the  general 
defence,  then  it  might  be  sold  out  to  individuals,  and  the  expense  of 
the  whole  reimbursed  to  those  who  so  generously  contributed  towards 
the  purchase. 

“ I am,  with  the  most  sincere  wishes  for  the  safety  of  your  settlement, 
your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

Wm.  Preston.”* 

Such  was  the  posture  of  defence  assumed  by  the  inhabi- 
tants after  the  receipt  of  the  intelligence  brought  by  Thomas 
Fallin  and  Williams.  The  former  had  proceeded  on  his 
mission  to  the  authorities  of  Virginia  for  succour  against  a 
threatened  invasion.  The  projected  incursion  of  the  Chero- 
kees,  as  communicated  by  Nancy  Ward  to  Thomas,  was  this: 
Seven  hundred  warriors  were  to  attack  the  white  settle- 
ments. They  were  to  divide  themselves  into  two  divisions 
of  three  hundred  and  fifty  each,  under  chosen  leaders,  one 
destined  to  fall  upon  the  Watauga  settlements,  by  a circui- 
tous route  along  the  foot  of  the  mountains.  The  other  divi- 
sion, to  be  commanded  by  the  Dragging-Canoe  in  person, 
was,  by  a more  northwardly  route,  to  fall  upon  and  break 
up  the  settlements  in  the  fork  of  the  two  branches  of  the 
Holston,  and  thence  proceed  into  Virginia. 


* Original  letter  in  this  writer’s  possession. 


152 


VOLUNTEERS  ASSEMBLE  AT  HEATON’s. 


The  alarm  produced  by  this  intelligence  hastened  the  com- 
pletion of  the  defences  and  the  embodiment  of  such  a force 
as  the  western  settlements  of  Virginia  and  North-Carolina 
could  supply.  Five  small,  companies,  principally  Virginians, 
immediately  assembled  under  their  respective  captains,  the 
eldest  of  whom,  in  commission,  was  Captain  Thompson. 
They  marched  to  Heaton’s  Station,  where  a fort  had  been 
built,  by  the  advice  of  Captain  William  Cocke,  in  advance 
of  the  settlements.  Here  they  halted,  as  well  to  protect 
the  people  in  the  station  as  to  procure  information,  by  their 
spies  and  scouts,  of  the  position  of  the  enemy,  of  their  num- 
ber, and,  if  possible,  of  their  designs.  In  a day  or  two  it 
was  ascertained  that  the  Indians,  in  a body  of  three  or  four 
hundred,  were  actually  on  the  march  towards  the  fort.  A 
council  w«as  immediately  held  to  determine  whether  it  was 
most  advisable  to  await  in  the  fort  the  arrival  of  the  Indians, 
with  the  expectation  that  they  would  come  and  attack  it,  or 
to  march  out  in  search  of  them  and  fight  them  wherever 
they  could  be  found.  It  was  urged  in  council  by  Captain 
Cocke,  that  the  Indians  would  not  attack  them  in  the  station, 
and  enclosed  in  their  block  houses,  but  would  pass  by  them 
and  attack  the  settlements  in  small  parties ; and  that  for 
want  of  protection  the  greater  part  of  the  women  and  chil- 
dren would  be  massacred.  This  argument  decided  the  con- 
troversy, and  it  was  determined  to  march  out  and  meet  them. 
The  corps,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  men, 
marched  from  the  station  and  took  their  course  down  towards 
the  Long  Island,  with  an  advance  of  about  twelve  men  in 
front.  When  they  reached  what  are  called  the  Island  Flats, 
the  advance  guard  discovered  a small  party  of  Indians 
coming  along  the  road  meeting  them,  and  immediately  fired 
on  them  ; the  Indians  fled  and  the  white  people  pursued  for 
some  time,  but  did  not  'rheet  the  enemy.  A halt  was  then 
made,  and  the  men  wrere  formed  in  a line.  A council  was 
then  held  by  the  officers,  in  which  it  was  concluded 
that,  probably,  they  would  not  be  able  to  meet  any 
others  of  the  enemy  that  day,  and,  as  evening  was  drawing 
on,  that  it  was  most  prudent  to  return  to  the  fort.  But 
before  all  the  troops  had  fallen  into  ranks  and  left  the  place 


BATTLE  NEAR  LONG  ISLAND. 


153 


where  they  had  halted,  it  was  announced  that  the  Indians 
were  advancing,  in  order  of  battle,  in  their  rear.*  Captain 
Thompson,  the  senior  officer,  who  was  at  the  head  ot  the 
left  line,  ordered  the  right  line  to  form  for  battle  to  the  right, 
and  the  line  which  he  headed,  to  the  left,  and  to  face  the 
enemy.  In  attempting  to  form  the  line,  the  head  of  the  right 
seemed  to  bear  too  much  along  the  road  leading  to  the  sta- 
tion, and  the  part  of  the  line  further  back,  perceiving  that 
the  Indians  were  endeavouring  to  outflank  them,  was  drawn 
off,  by  Lieutenant  Robert  Davis,  as  quickly  as  possible,  and 
formed  on  the  right,  across  the  flat  to  a ridge,  and  prevented 
them  from  getting  round  the  flank.  The  greater  part  of  the 
officers,  and  not  a few  of  the  privates,  gave  heroic  examples 
to  cause  the  men  to  advance  and  give  battle ; of  the  latter, 
Robert  Edmiston  and  John  Morrison  made  conspicuous  exer- 
tions. They  advanced  some  paces  towards  the  enemy  and 
began  the  battle  by  shooting  down  the  foremost  of  them. 
The  battle  then  became  general. 

The  Indians  fought,  at  first,  with  great  fury ; the  foremost 
hallooing,  the  Unacas  are  running,  come  on  and  scalp  them. 
Their  first  effort  was  to  break  through  the  centre  of  our  line, 
and  to  turn  the  left  flank  in  the  same  instant.  In  both  they 
failed  of  success,  by  the  well  directed  lire  of  our  riflemen. 
Several  of  their  chief  warriors  fell,  and,  at  length,  their  com- 
mander was  dangerously  wounded.  This  decided  the  vic- 
tory. The  enemy  immediately  betook  themselves  to  flight, 
leaving  twenty-six  of  their  boldest  warriors  dead  on  the  field. 
The  blood  of  the  wounded  could  be  traced  in  great  profusion, 
in  the  direction  of  the  enemy’s  retreat.  Our  men  pursued 
in  a cautious  manner,  lest  they  might  be  led  into  an  ambus- 
cade, hardly  crediting  their  own  senses  that  so  numerous  a 
foe  was  completely  routed.  In  this  miracle  of  a battle,  we 
had  not  a man  killed  and  only  five  wounded,  who  all  reco- 
vered. But  the  wounded  of  the  enemy  died  till  the  whole 
loss  in  killed  amounted  to  upwards  of  forty. f The  battle 
lasted  not  more  than  ten  minutes  after  the  line  was  com- 
pletely formed  and  engaged  before  the  Indians  began  to 
retreat ; but  they  continued  to  fight  awhile  in  that  way,  to 
get  the  wounded  off  the  ground.  The  firing  during  the  time 
* Haywood.  j-  Idem. 


154 


OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  THE  BATTLE. 


of  the  action,  particularly  on  the  side  of  the  white  people, 
was  very  lively  and  well  directed.  This  battle  was  fought 
on  the  20th  of  July,  1776. 

An  official  report  of  this  well  fought  battle,  will  be  also 
l77G  i given,  less  in  detail  than  the  preceding,  but  in  most  of 
i the  essential  parts  entirely  agreeing  with  it. 

“ On  the  19th  our  scouts  returned,  and  informed  us  that  they  had 
discovered  where  a great  number  of  Indians  were  making  into  the  set- 
tlements ; upon  which  alarm,  the  few  men  stationed  at  Eaton’s,  com- 
pleted a breast-work  sufficiently  strong,  with  the  assistance  of  what  men 
were  there,  to  have  repelled  a considerable  number ; sent  expresses  to 
the  different  stations  and  collected  all  the  forces  in  one  body,  and  the 
morning  after  about  one  hundred  and  seventy  turned  out  in  search  of 
the  enemy.  We  marched  in  two  divisions,  with  flankers  on  each  side 
and  scouts  before.  Our  scouts  discovered  upwards  of  twenty  meeting  us, 
and  fired  on  them.  They  returned  the  fire,  but  our  men  rushed  on  them 
with  such  violence  that  they  Were  obliged  to  make  a precipitate  retreat. 
We  took  ten  bundles  and  a good  deal  of  plunder,  and  had  great  reason 
to  think  some  of  them  were  wounded.  This  small  skirmish  happened 
on  ground  very  disadvantageous  for  our  men  to  pursue,  though  it  was 
with  the  greatest  difficulty  our  officers  could  restrain  their  men.  A coun- 
cil was  held,  and  it  was  thought  advisable  to  return,  as  we  imagined  there 
was  a large  party  not  far  off.  We  accordingly  returned,  and  had  not 
marched  more  than  a mile  when  a number,  not  inferior  to  ours,  attacked 
us  in  the  rear.  Our  men  sustained  the  attack  with  great  bravery  and 
intrepidity,  immediately  forming  a line.  The  Iudians  endeavoured  to 
surround  us,  but  were  prevented  by  the  uncommon  fortitude  and  vigilance 
of  Capt.  James  Shelby,  who  took  possession  of  an  eminence  that  pre- 
vented their  design.  Our  line  of  battle  extended  about  a quarter  of  a 
mile.  We  killed  about  thirteen  on  the  spot,  whom  we  found,  and  have 
the  greatest  reason  to  believe  that  we  could  have  found  a great  many 
more,  had  we  had  time  to  search  for  them.  There  were  streams  of  blood 
every  wTay  ; and  it  was  generally  thought  there  was  never  so  much  exe- 
cution done  in  so  short  a time  on  the  frontiers.  Never  did  troops  fight 
with  greater  calmness  than  ours  did.  The  Indians  attacked  us  with  the 
greatest  fury  imaginable,  and  made  the  most  vigorous  efforts  to  surround 
us.  Our  spies  really  deserved  the  greatest  applause.  We  took  a great 
deal  of  plunder  and  many  guns,  and  had  only  four  men  greatly  wounded. 
The  rest  of  the  troops  are  in  high  spirits  and  eager  for  another  engage- 
ment. We  have  the  greatest  reason  to  believe  they  are  pouring  in  great 
numbers  on  us,  and  beg  the  assistance  of  our  friends. 

James  Thompson,  John  Campbell, 

James  Shelby,  William  Cocke, 

William  Buchanan,  Thomas  Madison. 

To  Major  Anthony  Bledsoe,  for  him  to  be  immediately  sent  to  Colonel 

Preston.” 


LIEUTENANT  MOORE  AND  INDIAN  BRAVE. 


155 


A desperate  hand-to-hand  conflict  took  place  during  the 
battle.  The  precise  spot  is  still  pointed  out  in  a field  on  the 
left  of  the  road  passing  through  the  grounds  where  the  battle 
took  place.  The  combatants  were  Lieutenant  Moore,  late  of 
Sullivan,  and  a very  large  chief  or  leader  of  the  Cherokees. 
Moore  had  shot  the  chief,  wounding  him  in  the  knee,  but  not 
so  badly  as  to  prevent  him  from  standing.  Moore  advanced 
towards  him,  and  the  Indian  threw  his  tomahawk  but  missed 
him.  Moore  sprung  at  him  with  his  large  butcher  knife  drawn, 
which  the  Indian  caught  by  the  blade  and  attempted  to  wrest 
from  the  hand  of  his  antagonist.  Holding  on  with  desperate 
tenacity  to  the  knife,  both  clinched  with  their  left  hands.  A 
scuffle  ensued  in  which  the  Indian  was  thrown  to  the  ground, 
his  right  hand  being  nearly  dissevered  and  bleeding  profusely. 
Moore  still  holding  the  handle  of  his  knife  in  the  right  hand, 
succeeded  with  the  other  to  disengage  his  own  tomahawk 
from  his  belt,  and  ended  the  strife  by  sinking  it  in  the  skull 
of  the  Indian.  Until  this  conflict  was  ended,  the  Indians 
fought  with  unyielding  spirit.  After  its  issue  became  known) 
they  retreated. 

Mr.  George  Hufacre,  late  of  Knox  county,  was  in  this  bat- 
tle, and  gives  further  particulars.  He  says  : While  the  cap- 
tains were  endeavouring  to  form  line,  some  confusion  ensued, 
when  Isaac  Shelby  (a  volunteer  under  no  command  and  not 
in  ranks)  gave  orders  for  each  captain  to  fall  into  place,  and 
with  his  company  to  march  back  a few  paces  and  form  line. 
This  order  was  obeyed,  and  the  line  was  immediately  formed 
a short  distance  in  the  rear  of  four  men  left  upon  the  eminence 
to  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  Encouraged  by  the 
apparent  withdrawal  of  the,  troops  and  the  small  number  in 
sight,  the  Indians  made  a rapid  forward  movement  against 
the  four  men  on  the  rising  ground,  and  pursued  them  into  the 
line  now  completely  formed,  yelling  and  brandishing  their 
tomahawks  and  war  clubs.  Edmondson  being  in  the  centre 
company,  bore  the  weight  of  the  enemy’s  assault  several  mi- 
nutes, and  himself  killed  six  of  the  most  daring  of  the  Indians. 
John  Findley  was  one  of  the  wounded. 

The  consequences  of  this  victory  were  of  some  importance 
to  the  Western  inhabitants,  otherwise  than  the  destroying  a 


156 


ATTACK  ON  WATAUGA  FORT. 


number  pf  their  influential  and  most  vindictive  enemies,  and 
lessening  the  hostile  spirit  of  the  Cherokees.  It  induced  a 
concord  and  union  of  principle  to  resist  the  tyranny  of  the 
British  government.  It  attracted  the  favour  and  attention  of 
the  new  commonwealth  ; it  inspired  military  ideas  and  a 
contempt  of  danger  from  our  savage  enemies.  The  inquiry, 
afterwards,  when  in  search  of  Indians,  was  not,  how  many  of 
them  are  there?  but,  where  are  they  to  be  found  ? This  spirit 
was  kept  up  and  often  displayed  itself  on  several  important 
occasions  during  the  war.  * 

Another  division  of  the  Cherokees  invaded  the  settlements 
at  another  point  and  from  another  direction.  This  was  com- 
manded  by  Old  Abraham  ofChilhowee.  That  chieftain  was 
distinguished  more  for  stratagem  and  cunning,  than  by  valour 
and  enterprise.  He  led  his  division  along  the’ foot  of  the 
mountain  by  the  Nollichucky  path,  hoping  to  surprise  and 
massacre  the  unsuspecting  and  unprotected  inhabitants  upon 
that  river.  The  little  garrison  at  Gillespie’s  Station,  apprised 
of  the  impending  danger,  had  prudently  broken  up  their  fort 
and  had  withdrawn  to  Watauga,  taking  with  them  such  of 
their  moveable  effects  as  the  emergency  allowed,  but  leaving 
their  cabins,  their  growing  crops  and  the  stock  in  the  range, 
to  the  waste  and  devastation  of  the  invaders.  The  Indians 
arriving  at  the  deserted  station  soon  after  the  garrison  de- 
parted from  it,  hoped,  by  rapid  marches,  to  overtake  and 
destroy  them.  In  the  rapidity  of  the  pursuit,  the  standing 
corn,  stock  and  improvements  of  the  settlers,  remained  un- 
touched and  uninjured.  The  garrison  reached  Watauga  in 
safety.  The  next  morning,  at  sunrise,  the  Indians  invested 
that  place  and  attacked  the  fort,  now  strengthened  by  the 
small  reinforcement  from  Gillespie’s.  Captain  James  Robert- 
son commanded  the  forces  at  Watauga,  amounting  in  all  to 
but  forty  men.  Lieut.  John  Sevier  and  Mr.  Andrew  Greer 
were  also  present.  The  assault  upon  the  fort  was  vigorous 
and  sudden.  But,  by  the  unerring  aim  of  the  riflemen  within 
it,  and  the  determined  bravery  of  men  protecting  their 
women  and  children  from  capture  and  massacre,  the  assail- 
ants were  repulsed  with  considerable  loss.  No  one  in  the 

* Haywood. 


X 


CAPTIVITY  OP  MRS.  BEAN.  157 

fort  was  wounded.  Mrs.  Bean  had  been  taken  prisoner  by 
the  Indians  on  their  march,  the  preceding  day.  The  killed 
and  wounded  of  the  Cherokees  were  carried  off  in  sight  of 
the  people  in  the  fort.  The  number  could  not  be  ascertained, 
as  the  Indians  remained  skulking  about  in  the  adjacent  woods 
for  twenty  days.  During  that  time  expresses  had  succeeded  in 
escaping  from  the  besieged  fort  at  Watauga,  and  in  commu- 
nicating to  the  station  at  Heaton’s  the  dangerous  condition 
in  which  the  siege  involved  them.  Col.  Russell  was  requested 
to  send  them  succour  : and  five  small  companies  were  ordered 
to  proceed  to  Watauga.  These  could  not  be  well  spared 
from  Heaton’s — and  some  delay  occurring,  Col.  Shelby  raised 
one  hundred  horsemen  and  crossed  the  country  to  the  relief 
of  his  besieged  countrymen.  Before  his  arrival  at  Watauga 
the  siege  was  raised,  and  the  Indians  had  hastily  withdrawn. 
The  attack  of  the  Cherokees  under  Old  Abraham,  was  on  the 
21st  of  July,  the  next  day  after  the  Dragging-Canoe  had  made 
his  unsuccessful  march  upon  Heaton’s  Station  near  Long 
Island. 

Mrs.  Bean  was  captured  near  Watauga,  and  was  taken  by 
the  Indians  to  their  station  camp  over  on  Nollichucky.  A 
white  man  was  there  also  a prisoner.  He  told  her  she  was 
to  be  killed,  and  a warrior  stepped  towards  and  cocked  his 
gun  as  if  intending  to  shoot  her.  The  white  man,  at  the 
instance  of  the  chiefs,  then  began  to  ask  Mrs.  Bean  some 
questions  : how  many  forts  have  the  white  people  ? how  many 
soldiers  in  each  ? where  are  the  forts  ? can  they  be  starved 
out  ? have  they  got  any  powder  ? She  answered  these 
questions  so  as  to  leave  the  impression  that  the  settlements 
could  protect  themselves.  After  conferring  among  themselves 
a few  minutes,  the  chiefs  told  the  white  man  to  say  to  Mrs. 
Bean  .that  she  was  not  to  be  killed,  but  that  she  had  to  go 
with  them  to  their  towns  and  teach  their  women  how  to 
make  butter  and  cheese. 

After  she  was  taken  into  captivity  Mrs.  Bean  was  con- 
demned to  death.  She  was  bound,  taken  to  the  top  of  one  of 
the  mounds,  and  was  about  to  be  burned,  when  Nancy  Ward, 
then  exercising  in  the  nation  the  functions  of  the  Beloved 
or  Pretty  Woman,  interfered  and  pronounced  her  pardon. 
Her  life  was  spared.  We  give  further  details. 


158 


SEVIER  ATTEMPTS  TO  RESCUE  MOORE. 


The  fort  at  Watauga,  when  attacked,  had  one  hundred 
and  fifty  settlers  within  its  enclosure.  The  women  from  the 
fort  had  gone  out  at  daybreak  to  milk  the  cows  and  were 
fired  upon,  but  made  a safe  retreat  to  the  fort.  A brisk 
fire  was  then  made  upon  the  garrison,  and  kept  up  till  eight 
o’clock,  without  effect.  The  assault  was  repelled  with  con- 
siderable loss  to  the  assailants,  as  was  inferred  from  the 
quantity  of  blood  left  upon  the  ground.  In  a short  time  after 
the  Indians  renewed  the  attack  and  continued  before  the  fort 
six  days. 

In  the  meantime,  a soldier  effected  his  escape  from  Wa- 
tauga and  went  to  Holston  express  for  reinforcements.  A 
detachment  of  one  hundred  rangers  was  instantly  forwarded 
under  the  command  of  Col.  Wm.  Russell.  On  their  way  the 
rangers  fell  in  with  a party  of  forty  Cherokees,  who  were 
busy  skinning  a beef  at  a deserted  plantation,  fifty  miles  east 
of  Long  Island.  Of  these  Col.  Russell’s  men  killed  five  and 
took  one  prisoner,  who  was  mortally  wounded,  and  also 
made  prize  of  twenty  rifles  belonging  to  the  Indians.* 

During  the  time  the  Indians  were  around  the  fort,  James 
Cooper  and  a boy  named  Samuel  Moore,  went  out  after 
boards  to  cover  a hut.  When  near  the  mouth  of  Gap  Creek, 
they  were  attacked  by  Indians  ; Cooper  leaped  into  the  river, 
and  by  diving  hoped  to  escape  their  arrows  and  bullets,  but 
the  water  became  too  shallow  and  he  was  killed  by  them  and 
scalped.  The  firing  by  the  Indians  and  the  screams  of 
Cooper  were  heard  in  the  fort,  and  Lieutenant  John  Sevier  at- 
tempted to  go  to  his  succour.  Captain  Robertson  saw  that 
the  Indians  were  superior  in  force  to  that  within  the  fort,  and 
that  it  would  require  all  the  men  he  commanded  to  protect  the 
women  and  children  from. massacre.  The  firing  and  scream- 
ing without,  he  believed  to  be  a feint  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy  to  draw  his  men  from  the  fortification,  and  he  recalled 
Sevier  and  his  party  from  the  attempted  rescue.  Moore 
was  carried  prisoner  to  the  Indian  towns,  and  was  tortured 
to  death  by  burning.  A few  mornings  after  the  battle  a man 
named  Clonse  was  found  in  the  thicket  below  the  fort,  killed 
and  scalped.  He  had  probably  chosen  the  darkness  of  the 
*Maryland  Gazette. 


DIVTSION  COMMANDED  BY  RAVEN. 


159 


night  to  reach  the  fort  from  some  of  the  settlements,  and  had 
been  intercepted  and  slain.  The  intelligence  of  the  defeat 
at  the  Island  Flats  had  probably  reached  the  division  com- 
manded by  Old  Abraham,  and  occasioned  the  precipitate  re- 
treat from  Watauga. 

Another  division  of  the  Cherokees,  commanded  by  Raven* 
had  struck  across  the  country,  with  the  intention  of  falling 
upon  the  frontier  people  of  Carter’s  Valley.  They  came  up 
Holston  to  the  lowest  station,  and  finding  the  inhabitants 
securely  shut  up  in  forts,  and  hearing  of  the  repulse  at  Wa- 
tauga and  the  bloody  defeat  at  the  Flats,  they  retreated  and 
returned  to  their  towns. 

A fourth  party  of  Indians  had  crossed  the.  country  still 
lower  down,  and  fell  in  upon  the  inhabitants  scattered  along 
the  valley  of  Clinch.  To  this  body  of  the  enemy  no  oppo- 
sing force  was  presented.  They  divided  themselves  into 
small  detachments,  and  carried  fire  and  devastation  and 
massacre  into  every  settlement,  from  the  remotest  cabin  on 
Clinch,  to  the  Seven  Mile  Ford,  in  Virginia.  One  of  these 
detachments  made  a sudden  inroad  upon  the  Wolf  Hills  Set- 
tlement. A station  had  been  built  there,  near  the  present 
town  of  Abingdon,  at  the  house  of  Joseph  Black.  This 
station  was  a centre  or  rallying  point  for  the  infant  settle- 
ments then  being  extended  down  the  Holston  Valley,  into 
what  is  now  Tennessee.  As  early  as  1772,  a congregation 
was  organized  and  two  churches  built  among  these  primitive 
people,  to  whom  the  Rev.  Charles  Cummings  regularly 
preached.  On  this  occasion,  Mr.  Cummings  and  four  others, 
going  to  his  field,  were  attacked  by  the  Indians.  At  the  first 
fire  William  Creswell,  who  was  driving  a wagon,  wras  killed, 
and  during  the  skirmish  two  others  were  wounded.  Mr. 
Cummings  and  his  servant,  both  of  whom  were  well  armed, 
drove  the  Indians  from  their  ambush,  and  with  the  aid  of 
some  men  from  the  fort,  who,  hearing  the  firing,  came  to 

* “ The  Raven  is  one  of  the  Cherokee  favourite  war  names.  Carolina  and 
Georgia  remember  Quorinnah,  the  Raven  of  Huwhase-town.  He  was  one  of  the 
most  daring  warriors  of  the  whole  nation,  and  by  far  the  most  intelligent,  and  this 
name  or  war  appellative  admirably  suited  his  well-known  character.”  “ The  name 
points  out  an  indefatigable,  keen,  successful  warrior.” — Adair. 


160 


A FRONTIER  CONGREGATION. 


their  relief,  brought  in  the  dead  and  wounded.  Mr.  Cres- 
well  had  been  in  the  battle  at  Long  Island.  His  numerous 
descendants  reside  in  Sevier  and  Blount  counties. 

From  the  period  that  Mr.  C.  commenced  preaching  in  the 
Holston  settlements,  up  to  the  time  of  this  attack,  the  men 
never  went  to  church  without  being  armed  and  taking  their 
families  with  them.  On  Sabbath  morning,  during  most  of 
this  period,  it  was  the  custom  of  Mr.  Cummings  to  dress 
himself  neatly,  put  on  his  shot  pouch,  shoulder  his  rifle,  mount 
his  horse  and  ride  off  to  church,  where  he  met  his  gallant 
and  intelligent  congregation — each  man  with  his  rifle  in  his 
hand.  The  minister  would  then  enter  the  church,  walk 
gravely  through  the  crowd,  ascend  the  pulpit,  deposit  his 
rifle  in  a corner  of  it,  lay  off  his  shot  pouch  and  commence 
the  solemn  services  of  the  day.# 

The  several  invasions,  by  as  many  separate  parties  of 
Cherokee  warriors,  well  armed,  and  carrying  with  them  full 
supplies  of  ammunition,  were  ascribed  to  the  instigation  of 
British  officers.  The  imputation  is  a serious  one,  and  should 
not  be  made  without  adequate  testimony.  It  is  abhorrent  to 
the  feelings  of  civilized  man  ; it  is  in  direct  conflict  with  the 
kindly  sympathies  of  a Christian  people,  and  it  is  repugnant 
to  all  the  pleasant  charities  of  life,  to  incite  a blood-thirsty 
and  barbarous  nation  to  perpetrate  outrage  and  cruelty, 
rapine  and  murder,  havoc  arid  war,  indiscriminately  upon 
valiant  men,  helpless  women  and  innocent  children.  Not 
only  was  this  invasion  by  the  Cherokees  imputed  to  British 
agency,  but  the  details  of  it  were  traced  to  a concerted  plan 
of  attack,  arranged  by  Gen.  Gage  and  the  Superintendent  of 
Indian  Affairs. 

John  Stuart  was  sole  agent  and  Superintendent  of  his 
Majesty’s  Indian  Affairs  for  the  Southern  District.  For  a 
long  time  he  had  been  suspected  of  endeavouring  to  influ- 
ence the  Indians  against  the  American  cause.  In  support 
of  these  suspicions,  a gentleman  from  North-Carolina  had 
given  some  particulars  to  the  committee  of  intelligence,  in 
Charleston,  which  he  had  collected  from  the  Catawba  In- 
dians. Stuart  departed  suddenly  from  Charleston,  just  before 
* Letter  of  General  Campbell,  of  Abingdon. 


CAPTAIN  STUART^  LETTER-BOOK. 


161 


the  meeting  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  and  went  to  Savan- 
nah.  There  his  official  letter-book  was  seen,  by  Mr.  Haber- 
sham, in  which  a full  confirmation  was  found  of  the  suspi- 
cions excited  against  him,  and  proving  that  his  intention  was, 
evident^,  to  arouse  the  resentment  and  stimulate  the  bad 
passions  of  the  savages  in  their  neighbourhood  against 
Anglo-Americans  struggling  against  oppression,  and  vindi- 
cating the  rights  of  freemen.  In  the  letter-book  was  found 
a despatch  from  Mr.  Cameron,  saying  to  Mr.  Stuart,  “that 
the  traders  must,  by  some  means  or  other,  get  ammunition 
among  them,  or  otherwise  they  may  become  troublesome  to 
him  for  the  want  of  it.”  The  ammunition  was,  doubtless, 
furnished,  and  went  into  the  outfit  of  the  several  detach- 
ments of  warriors  that  soon  after  invaded  the  quiet  and 
unoffending  pioneers  of  Tennessee. 

Only  one  of  these  written  disclosures  of  the  murderous 
policy  adopted  by  England  against  American  citizens,  had 
yet  reached  the  frontier ; but  there  were  other  sources  of  in- 
formation, not  less  authentic  or  reliable,  from  which  the 
machinations  of  the  enemy  were  soon  made  known.  The 
traders  noticed  at  first  a spirit  of  suspicion  and  discontent, 
and  directly  after  unmistakable  evidences  of  fixed  resentment 
and  hostility.  This  discovery  was  communicated  to  the 
settlers,  and  along  with  the  friendly  interposition  of  the  Che- 
rokee Pocahontas,  saved  the  settlements  from  a surprise  that 
might  otherwise  have  proved  fatal. 

Simultaneously  with  these  several  invasions  of  the  frontier 
settlements  of  Virginia  and  North-Carolina  by  the  Cherokees, 
that  warlike  nation  was  carrying  into  execution  the  mur- 
derous policy  instigated  by  British  officers  against  South- 
Carolina  and  Georgia.  A plan  for  compelling  the  colonies 
to  submission,  had  been  concerted  between  the  British  com- 
mander-in-chief, General  Gage,  and  the  Superintendent  of 
Southern  Indian  Affairs,  John  Stuart.  That  plan  shall  be 
given  in  the  words  of  a British  historian  :* 

“ British  agents  were  again  employed,  in  engaging  the  Indians  to 
make  a diversion,  and  to  enter  the  Southern  Colonies  on  their  back  and 
defencless  parts.  Accustomed  to  their  dispositions  and  habits  of  mind, 

* C.  Stedman,  History  American  War,  vol.  1. 

11 


102 


PREPARATIONS  TO  INVADE 


the  agents  found  hut  little  difficulty  in  bringing  them  over  to  their  pur- 
pose, by  presents  and  hopes  of  spoil  and  plunder.  A large  body  of  men 
was  to  be  sent  to  West  Florida,  in  order  to  penetrate  through  the  terri- 
tories of  the  Creeks,  Chickasaws  and  Cherokees.  The  warriors  of  these 
nations  were  to  join  the  body,  and  the  Carolinas  and  Virginia  were  im- 
mediately to  be  invaded.  At  the  same  time  the  attention  of  the  colo- 
nies was  to  be  diverted,  by  another  formidable  naval  and  military  force, 
which  was  to  make  an  impression  on  the  sea  coast.  But  this  under- 
taking was  not  to  depend  solely  on  the  British  army  and  Indians.  It 
was  intended  to  engage  the  assistance  of  such  of  the  white  inhabitants  of 
the  back  settlements,  as  were  known  to  be  well  affected  to  the  British 
cause.  Circular  letters  were  accordingly  sent  to  those  persons  by  Mr. 
Stuart,  requiring  not  only  the  well  affected,  but  also  those  who  wished 
to  preserve  their  property  from  the  miseries  of  a civil  war,  to  repair  to 
the  royal  standard  as  soon  as  it  should  be  erected  in  the  Cherokee 
country,  with  all  their  horses,  cattle  and  provisions,  for  which  they  should 
be  liberally  paid.” 

A part  only  of  this  complicated  plan  was  executed.  Sir 
Peter  Parker  appeared  with  a British  squadron  in  May, 
off  the  coast  of  North-Carolina,  and  early  in  June  prepared 
to  attack  Charleston  with  a large  naval  and  military  force. 
The  Indians  were  true  to  their  engagement.  Being  informed 
that  a British  fleet  with  troops  had  arrived  off  Charleston, 
they  proceeded  to  take  up  the  war  club,  and  with  the  dawn 
of  day  on  the  first  day  of  July,  the  Cherokees  poured  down 
upon  the  frontiers  of  South-Carolina,  massacring  without 
distinction  of  age  or  sex,  all  persons  who  fell  into  their 
power.  Several  white  men  with  whom  Cameron  and  Stuart 
had  been  intriguing,  painted  and  dressed  as  Indians,  marched 
with  and  directed  their  attacks  upon  the  most  defenceless 
points  of  the  frontier.  The  news  of  the  gallant  defence  at 
Sullivan’s  Island,  and  the  repulse  of  Sir  Peter  Parker,  in  the 
harbour  of  Charleston,  on  the  28th  of  June,  arrived  soon  after 
that  glorious  victory,  and  frustrated  in  part  the  plan  as  con- 
certed. 

Preparations  were  immediately  made,  to  march  with  an 
imposing  force  upon  the  Cherokee  nation.  The  whole  fron- 
tier, from  Georgia  to  the  head  of  Holston  in  Virginia,  had 
been  invaded  at  once;  and  the  four  southern  colonies,  now 
on  the  point  of  becoming  sovereign  and  independent  states, 
assumed  an  offensive  position,  and  determined  in  their  turn 
to  invade  and  destroy  their  deluded  and  savage  enemies. 


THE  CHEROKEE  NATION. 


163 


The  Cherokee  nation  at  this  time  occupied,  as  places  of  resi- 
( dence  or  as  hunting  grounds,  all  the  territory  west  and 
1 ( north  of  the  upper  settlements  in  Georgia,  and  west  of 

the  Carolinas  and  South-western  Virginia.  They  were  the 
most  warlike  and  enterprising  of  the  native  tribes,  and,  ex- 
cept the  Creeks,  were  the  most  numerous.  Intercourse  with 
the  whites  had  made  them  acquainted  with  the  use  of  small 
arms  and  some  of  the  modes  of  civilized  warfare.  They  had 
made  some  advances  in  agriculture.  They  lived  in  towns  of 
various  sizes — their  government  was  simple,  and  in  time  of 
war  especially,  the  authority  of  their  chiefs  and  warriors  was 
supreme.  Their  country  was  known  by  three  great  geo- 
graphical divisions  : The  Lower  Towns,  the  Middle  Settle- 
ments and  Vallies,  and  the  Over-hill  Towns. 

The  number  of  warriors  were,  in  the 


Middle  Settlements  and  Vallies, 

- 

878 

In  Lower  Towns,  ... 

- 

356 

In  Over-hill  Towns,  - 

- 

7o7 

Total  Cherokee  men  in  Towns,  - 

_ 

1991 

To  these  may  be  added  such  warriors  as  lived  in  the  less 
compact  settlements,  estimated  at  five  hundred.  * 

To  inflict  suitable  chastisement  upon  the  Cherokees,  seve- 
ral expeditions  were  at  once  made  into  their  territories.  Colo- 
nel McBury  and  Major  Jack,  from  Georgia,  entered  the  Indian 
settlements  on  Tugaloo,  and  defeating  the  enemy,  destroyed 
all  their  towns  on  that  river.  General  Williamson,  of  South- 
Carolina,  early  in  July  began  to  embody  the  militia  of  that 
state,  and  before  the  end  of  that  month  was  at  the  head  of 
an  army  of  eleven  hundred  and  fifty  men,  marching  to  meet 
Cameron,  who  was,  with  a large  body  ofEsseneca  Indians  and 
disaffected  white  men,  encamped  at  Oconoree.  Encounter- 
ing and  defeating  this  body  of  the  enemy,  he  destroyed  their 
town  and  a large  amount  of  provisions.  He  burned  Sugaw 
Town,  Soconee,  Keowee,  Ostatoy,  Tugaloo  and  Brass  Town. 
He  proceeded  against  Tomassee,  Chehokee  and  Eustustie, 
where,  observing  a recent  trail  of  the  enemy,  he  made  pur- 
suit and  soon  met  and  vanquished  three  hundred  of  their 
warriors.  These  towns  he  afterwards  destroyed, 

* Drayton. 


164 


GENERAL  RUTHERFORD’S  ARMY. 


In  the  meantime,  an  army  had  been  raised  in  North-Caro- 
lina,  under  command  of  General  Rutherford,  and  a place  of 
joining  their  respective  forces  had  been  agreed  upon  by  that 
officer  and  Colonel  Williamson,  under  the  supposil  ion  that 
nothing  less  than  their  united  force  was  adequate  to  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  Middle  Settlements  and  Vallies.  Colonel  Martin 
Armstrong,  of  Surry  county,  in  August  raised  a small  regiment 
of  militia  and  marched  with  them  to  join  General  Rutherford. 
Benjamin  Cleveland  was  one  of  Armstrong’s  captains.  Wil- 
liam (afterwards  general)  Lenoir  was  Cleveland’s  first  lieu- 
tenant, and  William  Gray  his  second  lieutenant.  Armstrong’s 
regiment  crossed  John’s  River  at  McKenney’s  ford,  passed 
the  Quaker  Meadows  and  crossed  the  Catawba  at  Greenlee’s 
ford,  and  at  Cathey’s  Fort  joined  the  army  under  General 
Rutherford,  consisting  of  above  two  thousand  men.  The  Blue 
Ridge  was  crossed  by  this  army  at  the  Swannanae  Gap,  and 
the  march  continued  down  the  river  of  the  same  name  to  its 
mouth,  near  to  which  they  crossed  the  French  Broad.  From 
that  river  the  army  marched  up  Hominy  Creek,  leaving  Pis- 
gah  on  the  left  and  crossing  Pigeon  a little  below  the  mouth 
of  the  East  Fork.  Thence  through  the  mountain  to  Richland 
Creek,  above  the  present  Waynesville,  and  ascending  that 
creek  and  crossing  Tuckaseigee  River  at  an  Indian  town. 
They  then  crossed  the  Cowee  Mountain,  where  they  bad  an 
engagement  with  the  enemy, in  which  but  one  white  man  was 
wounded.  The  Indians  carried  off  their  dead.  From  thence 
the  army  marched  to  the  Middle  Towns  on  Tennessee  River, 
where  they  expected  to  form  a junction  with  the  South-Caro- 
lina  troops  under  General  Williamson.  Here,  after  waiting 
a few  days,  they  left  a strong  guard  and  continued  the  march 
to  the  Hiwassee  towns.  All  the  Indian  villages  were  found 
evacuated,  the  warriors  having  fled  without  offering  any 
resistance.  Few  were  killed  or  wounded  on  either  side,  and 
but  few  prisoners  taken  by  the  whites— but  they  destroyed  all 
the  buildings,  crops  and  stock  of  the  enemy,  and  left  them  in 
a starving  condition.  This  army  returned  by  the  same  route 
it  had  marched.  They  destroyed  thirty  or  forty  Cherokee 
towns.  * The  route  has  since  been  known  as  Rutherford’s 
Trace. 

* Gen.  Lenoir’s  letter  to  this  writer. 


GENERAL  CHRISTIAN  INVADES  CHEROKEE  NATION. 


165 


While  the  troops  commanded  byMcBury,  Williamson  and 
Rutherford,  were  thus  desolating  the  Lower  Towns  and 
Middle  Settlements  of  the  Cherokees,  another  army,  not  less 
valiant  or  enterprising,  had  penetrated  to  the  more  secure, 
because  more  remote,  Over-hill  Towns.  We  have  seen  that 
the  great  chieftains  of  these  interior  places,  Dragging-Canoe, 
Old  Abram  of  Chilhovvee,  and  Raven,  had,  at  the  head  of 
their  several  commands,  fallen  upon  Watauga  and  the  other 
infant  settlements,  and  although  signally  repulsed,  some  of 
them  had  united  with  another  detachment,  under  another 
leader,  and  were  spreading  devastation  and  ruin  upon  the 
unprotected  settlements  near  the  head  of  Holston  and  Clinch* 
in  Virginia.  The  government  of  that  state,  indignant  at 
aggressions  so  unprovoked  and  so  offensive,  soon  acted  in  a 
manner  suitable  to  her  exalted  sense  of  national  honour. 
Orders  were  immediately  given  to  Col.  William  Christian  to 
raise  an  army  and  to  march  them  at  once  into  the  heart  of 
the  Cherokee  country.  The  place  of  rendezvous  was  the 
Great  Island  of  Holston.  This  service  was  undertaken  with 
the  greatest  alacrity,  and  so  active  were  the  exertions  of  the 
officers  and  men  that  by  the  first  of  August  several  compa- 
nies had  assembled  at  the  place  appointed.  This  prepara- 
tory movement  was  itself  sufficient  to  drive  off  the  Indians 
who  still  remained  lurking  around  the  settlements.  Soon 
after  Col.  Christian  was  reinforced  by  three  or  four  hundred 
North-Carolina  militia,  under  Col.  Joseph  Williams,  Col. 
Love  and  Major  Winston.  To  these  were  added  such  gun- 
men as  could  be  spared  from  the  neighbouring  forts  and 
stations.  The  whole  army  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  the 
Cherokee  towns,  nearly  two  hundred  miles  distant.  Crossing 
the  Holston  at  the  Great  Island,  they  marched  eight  miles 
and  encamped  at  the  Double  Springs,  on  the  head  waters  of 
Lick  Creek.  Here  the  army  remained  a few  days,  till  the 
reinforcement  from  Watauga  should  overtake  it.  The  whole 
force  now  amounted  to  eighteen  hundred  men,  including 
pack-horse  men  and  bullock  drivers.  All  were  well  armed 
with  rifles,  tomahawks  and  butcher  kni  ves.  The  army  was 
all  infantry,  except  a single  company  of  light  horse.  While 
on  the  march  the  precaution  was  taken  to  send  forward 


166 


ARMY  WADES  FRENCH  BROAD, 


sixteen  spies  to  the  crossing  place  of  the  French  Broad.  The 
Indians  had  boasted  that  the  white  men  should  never  cross 
that  river.  Near  the  moulh  of  Lick  Creek  were  extensive 
cane-brakes,  which,  with  a lagoon  or  swamp  of  a mile  long, 
obstructed  the  march.  The  army  succeeded,  however,  in 
crossing  through  this  pass.  The  packs  and  beeves  did  not 
get  through  till  midnight.  At  the  encampment  that  night, 
Alexander  Harlin  came  in  and  informed  Col.  Christian  that 
a body  of  three  thousand  warriors  were  awaiting  his  arrival 
at  French  Broad,  and  would  certainly  there  dispute  his  pas- 
sage across  that  stream.  He  was  ordered  into  camp  with 
the  spies.  At  the  bend  of  Nollichucky  the  camps  of  the 
enemy  were  found  by  the  spies,  deserted,  but  affording 
unerring  evidence  that  the  Indians  were  embodied  in  large 
numbers.  This,  with  the  message  of  Harlin,  put  the  com- 
mander on  his  guard,  and  the  march  was  resumed,  next  day, 
with  every  precaution  and  preparation  against  a surprise. 
Harlin  was  dismissed  with  a request  from  Col.  Christian  that 
he  would  inform  the  Indians  of  his  determination  to  cross 
not  only  the  French  Broad,  but  the  Tennessee,  before  he 
stopped.  The  route  to  be  pursued  was  unknown  and  through 
a wilderness.  Isaac  Thomas,  a trader  among  the  Cherokees, 
acted  as  the  pilot.  He  conducted  the  army  along  a narrow 
but  plain  war  path  up  Long  Creek  to  its  source,  and  down 
Dumplin  Creek  to  a point  a few  miles  from  its  mouth,  where 
the  war  path  struck  across  to  the  ford  of  French  Broad,  near 
what  has  since  been  known  as  Buckingham’s  Island.  As 
they  came  down  Dumplin,  and  before  they  reached  the  river, 
the  army  was  met  by  Fallen,  a trader,  having  a white  flag 
in  his  rifle.  Christian  directed  that  he  should  not  be  dis- 
turbed and  that  no  notice  should  be  taken  of  his  embassy. 
He  departed  immediately,  and  gave  to  the  Indians  informa- 
tion that  the  whites,  as  numerous  as  the  trees,  were  march- 
ing into  their  country.  Arrived  at  the  river,  Col.  Christian 
ordered  every  mess  to  kindle  a good  fire  and  strike  up  tent, 
as  though  he  intended  to  encamp  there  several  days.  During 
the  night  a large  detachment  was  sent  down  the  river  to  an 
island,  near  where  Brabson’s  mill  now  stands,  with  direc- 
tions to  cross  the  river  at  that  place,  and  to  come  up  the 


near  Buckingham’s  island. 


167 


river,  on  its  southern  bank,  next  morning.  This  order  was 
executed  with  great  difficulty.  The  ford  was  deep,  and  the 
water  so  rapid  as  to  require  the  men  to  march  in  platoons  of 
four  abreast,  so  as  to  brace  each  other  against  the  impetu- 
ous stream.  In  one  place  the  water  reached  nearly  to  the 
shoulders  of  the  men,  but  the  ammunition  and  the  guns  were 
kept  dry. 

Next  morning  the  main  body  crossed  the  river  near  the 
Big  Island.  They  marched  in  order  of  battle,  expecting  an 
attack  from  the  Indians,  who  were  supposed  to  be  lying 
about  in  ambush  ; but  to  their  surprise  no  trace  was  found 
even  of  a recent  camp.  The  detachment  met  no  molestation 
from  the  enemy,  and,  joining  the  main  body,  a halt  was  made 
one  day,  for  the  purpose  of  drying  the  baggage  and  provi- 
sions which  had  got  wet  in  crossing  the  river. 

When  it  was  understood  in  the  Cherokee  nation  that 
Christian  was  about  to  invade  their  territory,  one  thousand 
warriors  assembled  at  the  Big  Island  of  French  Broad  to 
resist  the  invaders.  The  great  war  path,  which  led  through 
it,  was  considered  as  the  gate  to  the  best  part  of  their  coun- 
try ; and  the  island  being  the  key  to  it,  the  Indians  deter- 
mined to  maintain  and  defend  that  point  to  the  last  extremity. 
From  that  place,  a message  was  sent  by  Fallen,  as  already 
mentioned,  addressed  to  the  commanding  officer,  not  to  at- 
tempt the  crossing,  as  a formidable  host  of  their  braves 
would  be  there  to  dispute  the  passage.  After  the  departure 
of  the  messenger,  a trader  named  Starr,  who  was  in  the 
Indian  encampment,  harangued  the  warriors  in  an  earnest 
tone.  He  said  that  the  Great  Spirit  had  made  the  one  race 
of  white  clay  and  the  other  of  red ; that  he  had  intended  the 
former  to  conquer  and  subdue  the  latter,  and  that  the  pale 
faces  would  not  only  invade  their  country,  but  would  over- 
run and  occupy  it.  He  advised,  therefore,  an  immediate 
abandonment  of  their  purpose  of  defence,  and  a retreat  to 
their  villages  and  the  fastnesses  of  their  mountains.  The 
trader’s  counsels  prevailed  — all  defensive  measures  were 
abandoned,  and,  without  waiting  for  the  return  of  their  mes- 
sengers, the  warriors  dispersed,  and  the  island  was  found 
deserted  and  their  encampments  broken  up  and  forsaken. 


168 


ARMY  CROSSES  TENNESSEE. 


The  next  morning  the  army  resumed  its  march.  The  route 
led  along  the  valley  of  Boyd’s  Creek  and  down  Ellejay  to  Lit- 
tle River.  From  there  to  the  Tennessee  River  not  an  Indian 
was  seen.  Col.  Christian  supposed  that,  as  the  Cherokee 
settlements  and  towns  were  upon  the  opposite  bank,  he 
would  meet  a formidable  resistance  in  attempting  to  cross 
it.  When  the  troops  came  within  a few  miles  of  the  ford, 
he  called  upon  them  to  follow  him  in  a run  till  they  came  to 
the  river.  This  was  done,  and,  pushing  through,  they  took 
possession  of  a town  called  Tamotlee,  above  the  mouth  of 
Telico.  The  army,  pack  horses,  &c.,  were  all  safely  crossed 
over  before  night,  and  the  encampment  was  made  in  the 
deserted  town.  Next  morning  they  marched  to  the  Great 
Island  Town,  which  was  taken  without  resistance.  The 
fertile  lands  in  the  neighbourhood  furnished  a supply  of  corn, 
potatoes  and  other  provisions,  and  the  Indian  huts  made 
comfortable  bivouacs  for  the  troops.  The  commander,  for 
these  reasons,  made  this  place,  temporarily,  head-quarters 
and  a centre  for  future  operations.  A panic  had  seized  the 
Cherokee  warriors,  and  not  one  of  them  could  be  found. 
Small  detachments  were,  therefore,  from  time  to  time,  sent 
out  to  different  parts  of  the  nation,  and  finding  no  armed 
enemy  to  contend  against,  they  adopted,  as  not  a less  effec- 
tual chastisement  of  the  implacable  enemy,  the  policy  of 
laying  waste  and  burning  their  fields  and  towns.  In  this 
manner  Neowee,  Telico,  Chilhowee  and  other  villages  were 
destroyed.  Occasionally,  during  these  excursion^,  a few 
warriors  were  seen,  escaping  from  one  town  to  a place  of 
greater  safety,  and  were  killed.  No  males  were  taken  pri- 
soners. These  devastations  were  confined  to  such  towns  as 
were  known  to  have  advised  or  consented  to  hostilities,  while 
such,  like  the  Beloved  Town,  Chota,  as  had  been  disposed  to 
peace,  were  spared.  Col.  Christian  endeavoured  to  convince 
the  Cherokees  that  he  warred  only  with  enemies.  He  sent 
out  three  or  four  men  with  white  flags,  and  requested  a talk 
with  the  chiefs.  Six  or  seven  immediately  came  in.  In  a 
few  days  several  others,  from  the  more  distant  towns,  came 
forward  also  and  proposed  peace.  It  was  granted,  but  not 
to  take  effect  till  a treaty  should  be  made  by  representatives 


A CONDITIONAL  PEACE  AGREED  UPON. 


169 


from  the  whole  tribe,  to  assemble  the  succeeding  May,  at 
Long  Island.  A suspension  of  hostilities  was,  in  the  mean- 
time, provided  for,  with  the  exception  of  two  towns  high  up 
in  the  mountains,  on  Tennessee  River.  These  had  burnt  a 
prisoner,  a youth  named  Moore,  whom  they  bad  taken  at 
Watauga.  Tuskega  and  the  other  excepted  town  were 
reduced  to  ashes. 

Colonel  Christian  finding  nothing  more  to  occupy  his  army 
longer,  broke  up  his  camp  at  Great  Island  Town,  marched 
to  Chota,  recrossed  the  Tennessee  and  returned  to  the  settle- 
ments. In  this  campaign  of  about  three  months,  not  one  man 
was  killed.  A few,  from  inclement  weather  and  undue  fatigue, 
became  sick.  No  one  died.  The  Rev.  Charles  Cummings 
accompanied  the  expedition  as  chaplain,  and  was  thus  the 
first  Christian  minister  that  ever  preached  in  Tennessee.  A 
pioneer  of  civilization,  of  learning  and  of  religion — let  his 
memory  not  be  forgotten  ! 

Most  of  the  troops  commanded  by  Christian  were  disbanded 
at  Long  Island,  where  they  had  been  mustered  into  service. 
A portion  of  them  were  retained  and  went  into  winter  quar- 
ters. A new  fort  was  erected  there,  which,  in  honour  of  the 
patriotic  Governor  of  Virginia,  was  called  “Fort  Henry.”  Its 
ruins  are  still  pointed  out  on  the  lands  of  Colonel  Nether- 
land.  Supplies  of  provisions  were  brought  to  it  from  Rock 
Bridge  and  Augusta  counties,  in  wagons  and  on  pack-horses. 

Captain  Thompson,  who  commanded  a company  at  Long 
Island  in  July  preceding,  was  with  his  company  in  this  cam- 
paign, and  formed  the  life-guard  of  the  commanding  general. 

In  the  centre  of  the  Cherokee  towns,  taken  by  Christian’s 
troops,  was  found  a circular  tower,  rudely  built  and  covered 
with  dirt,  thirty  feet  in  diameter  and  about  twenty  feet  high. 
This  tower  was  used  as  a council  house  and  as  a place  for 
celebrating  the  green  corn  dance  and  other  national  ceremo- 
nials. Within  it  were  beds,  made  of  cane,  rather  tastefully 
arranged  around  its  circumference.  Each  tower  had  a single 
entrance,  a narrow  door.  There  was  neither  window  nor 
chimney. 

The  unexpected  invasions  made  by  the  hitherto  peaceable 
Cherokees  upon  the  infant  settlements,  retarded  for  a time 


170 


NEW  FLOOD  OF  EMIGRANTS. 


the  rapid  growth  and  enlargement  by  which  they  had  been, 
for  five  years,  so  signally  distinguished.  But  the  remarkable 
success  that  had  followed  the  unaided  efforts  of  some  of  the 
stations,  to  repulse  the  assailants  and  to  defend  themselves, 
left  little  ground  of  apprehension  for  the  future.  Not  one 
emigrant  deserted  the  frontier  or  crossed  the  mountain  for 
safety.  On  the  other  hand,  the  campaign  that  had  been  carried 
into  the  heart  of  the  enemy’s  country,  had  done  more  for  the 
new  settlements  than  the  mere  security  it  afforded  from  pre- 
sent assault  or  future  invasion.  The  volunteers  who  com- 
posed the  command  of  Christian  were,  many  of  them,  from 
the  more  interior  counties  of  North-Carolina  and  Virginia. 
In  their  marches  they  had  seen  and  noticed  the  fertile  vallies, 
the  rich  uplands,  the  sparkling  fountains,  the  pellucid  streams, 
the  extensive  grazing  and  hunting  grounds,  and  had  felt  the 
genial  influences  of  the  climate  of  the  best  part  of  East  Ten- 
nessee. Each  soldier,  upon  his  return  home,  gave  a glowing 
account  of  the  adaptation  of  the  country  to  all  the  purposes 
of  agriculture.  The  story  was  repeated  from  one  to  another, 
till  upon  the  Roanoke  and  the  Yadkin  the  people  spoke  fami- 
liarly of  the  Holston,  the  Nollichucky,  the  French  Broad,  Lit- 
tle River  and  the  Tennessee.  Particular  places  were  selected, 
springs  designated  and  points  chosen  as  centres  for  future 
settlements.  A flood  of  emigration  followed  to  strengthen, 
build  up  and  enlarge  the  little  community  already  planted 
across  the  mountain. 

Notwithstanding  these  accessions  to  their  strength,  the 
frontier  people  continued  their  accustomed  vigilance.  A gar- 
rison was  still  maintained  in  Fort  Henry.  The  military  com- 
mand of  the  country  was  in  the  hands  of  Col.  Arthur  Camp- 
bell, of  Washington  county,  Virginia,  under  the  belief  that 
the  settlements  were  included  within  the  limits  of  that  state. 
Col.  Campbell  ordered  Captain  Robertson  to  keep  the  Wa- 
tauga people  assembled  in  two  places  for  mutual  protection 
and  safety — he  designated  Patton’s  and  Rice’s  Mills  as  the 
most  suitable  points,  on  account  of  the  weakness  of  the  set- 
tlement below  the  fort,  and  of  the  danger  to  which  they  might 
soon  be  exposed. 

In  addition  to  these  precautionary  measures,  it  was  ordered 


LETTER  FROM  COLONEL  ROBERTSON 


171 


by  the  authorities  of  Virginia  that  four  hundred  men,  under 
the  command  of  Col.  Evan  Shelby  and  Major  Anthony  Bled- 
soe, should  be  stationed  on  the  south-western  frontiers,  at  such 
places  as  would  most  effectually  protect  the  inhabitants 
against  the  Indians.  A part  of  the  Cherokees  were  known 
to  be  still  hostile — their  towns  had  been  destroyed  and  their 
country  laid  waste,  but  their  warriors  had  survived,  and  some 
of  them  still  panted  for  revenge,  and  had  resolved  to  repu- 
diate any  participation  in  the  contemplated  treaty. 

A letter  is  preserved  from  Col.  Charles  Robertson,  Trustee 
of  the  Watauga  Association.  In  it  will  be  found  some  infor- 
mation never  before  published.  It  follows  : 

Washington  District,  27th  April,  1777. 
His  Excellency  Richard  Caswell, 

Captain  General  of  North- Carolina  : 

Sir  : The  many  hostilities  committed  by  the  Cherokee  and  Creek  In- 
dians on  this  frontier,  since  the  departure  of  the  gentlemen  delegates 
from  this  county,  merit  your  Excellency’s  consideration.  I will  give 
myself  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  of  the  particulars  of  this  distressed 
place,  and  of  our  unhappy  situation.  There  have  been  several  murders 
committed  lately,  and  on  the  10th  of  this  instant  one  Frederick  Calvatt 
was  shot  and  scalped,  but  is  yet  living  ; and  on  the  day  following  Capt. 
James  Robertson  pursued  the  enemy  with  nine  men,  killed  one  and  re- 
took ten  horses,  and  on  his  return  in  the  evening  was  attacked  by  a 
party  of  Creeks  and  Cherokees,  who  wounded  two  of  his  men.  Rob- 
ertson returned  the  fire  very  bravely,  but  was  obliged  to  retreat  on  account 
of  their  superior  numbers,  still  kept  the  horses  and  brought  them  in. 
On  the  27th  of  March  last,  Col.  Nathaniel  Guess  brought  letters  from 
the  Governor  of  Virginia,  which  letters  were  sent  by  an  Indian  woman 
to  the  Cherokee  nation,  soliciting  them  to  come  in,  in  eighteen  days,  to 
treat  for  peace  ; accordingly  there  came  a party  of  about  eighty-five  fel- 
lows, (but  none  of  the  principal  warriors  that  had  first  begun  the  war,) 
and  at  their  arrival  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort  Patrick  Henry  sent 
for  me  to  march  some  troops  to  that  garrison,  as  a guard  during  the 
treaty.  Accordingly  I went,  and  on  the  20th  ult.  the  talks  began,  and 
the  articles  of  the  treaty  were  as  follows  : first,  a copy  of  the  governor’s 
letter  was  read  to  them,  promising  them  protection,  such  as  ammuni- 
tion, provision,  and  men  to  build  forts,  and  guard  and  assist  them 
against  any  nation,  white  or  red ; and  in  return  the  Commissioners  re- 
quired the  same  from  them,  to  which  the  Indians  replied,  they  could  not 
fight  against  their  Father,  King  George,  but  insisted  on  Col.  Christian’s 
promise  to  them  last  fall,  that  if  they  would  make  a peace  they  should 
lie  neutral  and  no  assistance  be  asked  from  them  by  the  states.  The  Com- 
missioners then  asked  some  of  them  to  go  to  Williamsburgh,  not  as  hos- 


172 


TREATY  AT  LONG  ISLAND. 


tages,  but  to  see  their  goods  delivered,  to  obviate  any  suspicion  of  false 
reports.  A number  of  about  ten  agreed  to  go  ; the  Commissioners  then 
told  them  that  Virginia  and  South-Carolina  gave  them  peace  and  pro- 
tection, and  North- Carolina  offered  it : to  which  the  Indians  replied, 
they  heard  the  talks  from  South  Carolina,  and  they  and  the  talks  from 
Virginia  were  very  good.  The  Indians  then  promised  to  try  and  bring 
in  the  Dragging  Canoe  and  his  party,  (a  party  that  lies  out,  and  has  refused 
to  come  in,  but  says  they  will  hold  fast  to  Cameron’s  talks,)  and  they  still 
made  no  doubt  but  they  could  prevail  on  him,  and  said  that  he  had  sent 
his  talk  with  them,  and  what  they  agreed  to  he  would  abide  by.  But 
the  Little  Carpenter,  in  private  conversation  with  Capt.  Thomas  Price, 
contradicted  it,  and  said  that  the  Canoe  and  his  party  were  fighting 
Capt.  Robertson  a few  days  before  ; and  the  last  day  of  the  talks  there 
arrived  an  express  from  Clinch  River,  informing  us  of  two  men  being 
killed,  to  which  the  Indians  replied,  to  keep  a sharp  look  out,  for  there 
were  a great  many  of  their  men  out ; and  several  of  their  women  pre- 
sent declared  that  the  talks  was  before  the  time  to  get  guns  and  am- 
munition and  continue  the  war  as  formerly.  Accordingly  they  de- 
manded them,  which  was  the  finishing  of  the  talk,  and  in  sixty  days 
they  were  to  come  in  to  treat  and  confirm  the  peace,  and  if  they  could 
not  bring  in  the  Dragging  Canoe,  they  send  word  laying  the  blame  of 
the  late  murder  on  the  Creeks. 

This,  sir,  is  a true  stal  e of  the  whole  proceedings  of  which  I have  the 
honour  to  inform  your  Excellency,  conscious  you  will  take  every  prudent 
method  for  our  security. 

I am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

Charles  Robertson. 

N.  B.  There  has  been  to  the  number  of  about  twelve  persons  killed, 
since  the  delegates  departed. 

But  the  Cherokee  nation  at  large  was  reduced  to  great 
want  and  suffering.  Their  national  pride  being  humbled 
and  their  martial  spirit  subdued,  they  made  overtures  of 
peace.  Two  separate  treaties  were  made.  The  one  at 
Dewitt’s  Corner  with  Commissioners  from  South-Carolina 
and  Georgia,  by  which  large  cessions  of  country  on  the  Sa- 
vannah and  Saluda  Rivers  were  made.  The  other  was  held, 
according  to  the  agreement  made  between  Col.  Christain 
and  several  of  the  chieis  of  the  Over-hill  Towns,  at  Long- 
Island.  It  was  conducted  by  Waight, still  Avery,  Joseph 
Winton  and  Robert  Lanier,  Commissioners  on  the  part  of 
North-Carolina,  and  Col  Preston,  Col.  Christian  and  Col. 
Evan  Shelby  on  the  part  of  Virginia,  and  the  Head-men  and 
warriors  for  the  Cherokee  Indians.  By  this  treaty  Brown’s 
line  was  established  as  the  boundary  line  between  the  con- 


CHICK  AM  AUG  AS  REFUSE  TO  SIGN  THE  TREATY. 


173 


tracting  parties,  and  the  Indians  relinquished  their  lands  as 
low  down  Holston  as  the  mouth  of  Cloud’s  Creek. 

During  the  progress  of  the  negotiation,  the  Commissioners 
reproached  the  Cherokees  with  a breach  of  good  faith,  on 
account  of  some  massacres  that  had  been  perpetrated  da- 
ring the  suspension  ofhostilities.  They  excused  themselves  by 
ascribing  these  murders  to  the  Chickamaugas,  a tribe  settled 
on  a creek  of  that  name,  whose  chieftain,  the  Dragging  Ca- 
noe, had  refused  to  accept  of  peace  on  the  terms  offered  by 
Col.  Christian. 

The  whole  treaty  and  the  proceedings  during  the  negotia- 
tion, are  found  in  Haywood,  Appendix,  page  488,  and  onward. 
It  is  deemed  to  be  sufficient  here  to  give  the  boundaries  as 
agreed  upon  between  North-Carolina  and  the  Cherokees,  as 
found  in  Article  V of  the  treaty. 

ARTICLE  V. 

That  the  boundary  line  between  the  State  of  North-Carolina  and 
the  said  Over-hill  Cherokees  shall  forever  hereafter  be  and  remain  as 
follows,  (to  wit :)  Beginning  at  a point  in  the  dividing  line  which 
during  this  treaty  hath  been  agreed  upon  between  the  said  Over-hill 
Cherokees  and  the  State  of  Virginia,  where  the  line  between  that  state 
and  North-Carolina  (hereafter  to  be  extended)  shall  cross  or  intersect 
the  same,  running  thence  a right  line  to  the  north  bank  of  Holston 
River  at  the  mouth  of  Cloud’s  Creek,  being  the  second  creek  below  the 
Warrior’s  Ford,  at  the  mouth  of  Carter’s  Valley,  thence  a right  line  to 
the  highest  point  of  a mountain  called  the  High  Rock  or  Chimney  Top, 
from  thence  a right  line  to  the  mouth  of  Camp  Creek,  otherwise  called 
Mc’Nama’s  Creek,  on  the  south  bank  of  Nolichucky  River,  about  ten 
miles  or  thereabouts  below  the  mouth  of  Great  Limestone,  be  the  same 
more  or  less,  and  from  the  mouth  of  Camp  Creek  aforesaid  a south-east 
course  into  the  mountains  which  divide  the  hunting  grounds  of  the 
middle  settlements  from  those  of  the  Over-hill  Cherokees. 

The  Commissioners  of  North  Carolina  appointed  Captain  James 
Robertson  temporary  agent  for  North-Carolina,  and  in  written  instruc- 
tions directed  him  to  repair  to.  Chota  in  company  with  the  warriors  re- 
turning from  the  treaty,  there  to  reside  till  otherwise  ordered  by  the 
governor.  He  was  to  discover  if  possible,  the  disposition  of  the  Drag- 
ging Canoe  towards  this  treaty,  as  also,  of  Judge  Friend,  the  Lying  Fish 
and  others,  who  did  not  attend  it,  and  whether  there  was  any  danger  of 
a renewal  of  hostilities  by  one  or  more  of  these  chiefs.  He  was  also  to 
find  out  tne  conversations  between  the  Cherokees  and  the  southern, 
western  and  northern  tribes  of  Indians.  He  was  to  search  in  all  the 
Indian  towns  for  persons  disaffected  to  the  American  cause,  and  have 
them  brought  before  some  justice  of  the  peace,  to  take  the  oath  of  fidelity 
to  the  United  States,  and  in  case  of  refusal  to  deal  with  them  as  the  law 
directed.  Travellers  into  the  Indian  nation  without  passes,  such  as  the 


174 


WATAUGA  DYNASTY  TERMINATES,  AND  THE 


third  article  of  the  treaty  required,  were  to  he  secured.  He  was  imme- 
diately to  get  into  possession  all  the  horses,  cattle  and  other  property, 
belonging  to  the  people  ofNorth-Carolina,  and  to  cause  them  to  be  re- 
stored to  their  respective  owners.  He  was  to  inform  the  government  of 
all  occurrences  worthy  of  notice,  to  conduct  himself  with  prudence  and 
to  obtain  the  favour  and  confidence  of  the  chiefs  ; and  in  all  matters  with 
respect  to  which,  he  was  not  particularly  instructed,  he  was  to  exercise  his 
own  discretion,  always  keeping  in  view  the  honour  and  interest  of  the 
United  States  in  general,  and.  of  Horth-Carolina  in  particular.  These 
instructions  were  dated  on  the  same  day  the  treaty  was  signed,  the  20th 
of  July,  1777.  The  commissioners  addressed  a letter  to  the  chiefs  and 
warriors  of  the  Middle,  Lower  and  Valley  towns,  on  the  21st  of  July,  in- 
forming them  of  the  treaty  of  peace  which  they  had  just  signed,  and  of 
the  intention  of  the  eomimssioners  to  recommend  to  the  governor  the 
holding  of  a treaty  with  them,  of  which  he  should  give  due  notice  to 
them  of  the  time  and  place.  They  promised  protection  and  safety  to 
the  chiefs  and  warriors  who  should  attend  it,  and  a suspension  of  hostili- 
ties in  the  meantime,  and  they  requested  that  the  messengers  who 
should  be  sent  from  North-Carolina  to  their  towns,  might  be  protected 
from  insult,  be  permitted  to  perform  their  business,  and  to  return  in 
safety. 

In  April  of  this  year  an  act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature 

( of  North-Carolina,  for  the  encouragement  of  the  mili- 
1U7  1 & 

( tia  and  volunteers  in  prosecuting  the  war  against  that 

part  of  the  Cherokees  who  still  persisted  in  hostilities.  At 
the  same  session  an  act  was  passed  for  the  establishment  of 
courts  of  pleas  and  quarter  sessions,  and  also  for  appointing 
and  commissioning  justices  of  the  peace  and  sheriffs  for  the 
several  courts  in  the  district  of  Washington,  in  this  state. 

No  frontier  community  had  ever  been  better  governed  than 
the  W atauga  settlement.  In  war  and  in  peace,  without  legisla- 
tors or  judicial  tribunals,  except  those  adopted  and  provided 
by  themselves,  the  settlers  had  lived  in  uninterrupted  har- 
mony— acting  justly  to  all,  offering  violence  and  injury  to 
none.  But  the  primitive  simplicity  of  patriarchal  life,  as 
exhibited  by  a small  settlement  in  a secluded  wilderness* 
uncontaminated  by  contact  with  the  artificial  society  of 
older  communities,  was  forced  to  yield  to  the  stern  commands 
of  progress  and  improvement.  The  hunter  and  pastoral 
stages  of  society  were  to  be  merged  into  the  agricultural  and 
commercial,  the  civil  and  political.  Hereafter,  Watauga, 
happy,  independent,  free  and  self-reliant,  the  cradle  of  the 
Great  West,  is  merged  into  and  becomes  a part  of  North-Caro- 
lina ! 


RULE  OF  NORTH- CAROLINA  BEGINS. 


175 


CHAPTER  III. 

TENNESSEE— AS  PART  OF  NORTH-CAROLINA,  AND  THE 
PARTICIPATION  OF  HER  PIONEERS  IN  THE 
REVOLUTIONARY  WAR. 

The  general  assembly  of  North-Carolina  in  November, 
seventeen  hundred  andseventy-seven,  formed  Washington  dis- 
trict into  a county  of  the  same  name,  assigning  to  it  the  bound- 
aries of  the  whole  of  the  present  great  State  of  Tennessee.* 
By  an  act  passed  at  the  same  sessionyestablishing  Entry  Ta- 
kers’ offices  in  the  several  counties,  “ lands  which  have  ac- 
crued or  shall  accrue  to  the  state  by  treaty  or  conquest ,”  are 
subject  to  entry,  &c.f 

At  the  same  session  of  the  assembly,  provision  was  made 
for  opening  a land-office  in  Washington  county,  at  the  rate  of 
forty  shillings  per  hundred  acres,  with  the  liberal  permission 
to  each  head  of  a family  to  take  up  six  hundred  and  forty 
acres  himself,  one  hundred  acres  for  his  wife,  and  the  same 
quantity  for  each  of  his  children.  The  law  provided  that  the 
Watauga  settlers  should  not  be  obliged  to  pay  for  their  occu- 
pancies till  January  of  1779,  and  then  for  any  surplus  entered 
above  the  quantity  before  mentioned,  the  purchaser  was  re- 
quired to  pay  five  pounds  per  hundred. J 

The  facility  of  taking  up  the  choice  lands  of  the  country, 
induced  great  numbers  of  persons,  principally  those  without 
means,  to  emigrate  to  the  frontier.  A poor  man,  with  seldom 
more  than  a single  pack-horse  on  which  the  wife  and  infant 
were  carried,  with  a few  clothes  and  bed-quilts,  a skillet  and 
a small  sack  of  meal,  was  often  seen  wending  his  way  along 
the  narrow  mountain  trace,  with  a rifle  upon  his  shoulder — 
the  elder  sons  carrying  an  axe,  a hoe,  sometimes  an  auger 

*For  the  boundaries  of  Washington  county,  and  all  counties  subsequently 
erected  out  of  it,  see  Appendix  at  end  of  volume. 

j Iredell’s  Revisal,  page  292,  chap,  i.,  sec.  3. 

t Haywood. 


176 


CHARACTER  OF  PIONEERS. 


and  a saw,  and  the  older  daughters  leading  or  carrying  the 
smaller  children.  Without  a dollar  in  his  pocket  when  he 
arrived  at  the  distant  frontier,  the  emigrant  became  at  once 
a large  land-holder.  Such  men  laid  the  foundation  of  society 
and  government  in  Tennessee.  They  brought  no  wealth  with 
them — but  what  was  far  better,  they  had  industrious  and  fru- 
gal habits,  they  had  hardihood  and  enterprise,  and  fearlessness 
and  self-reliance.  Writh  such  elements  in  the  character  of  its 
pioneers,  any  community  will  soon  subdue  the  wilderness  to 
the  purposes  of  agriculture. 

Hitherto  emigrants  had  reached  the  new  settlements  upon 
pack-horses  and  along  the  old  trading  paths  or  narrow  traces 
that  had  first  been  blazed  by  hunters.  No  wagon  road  had 
been  opened  across  the’*mountains  of  North-Carolina  to  the 
West.  The  legislature  of  this  year  appointed  commissioners 
to  lay  off  and  mark  a road  from  the  court-house  of  Washington 
county  into  the  county  of  Burke.  After  that  road  was  opened, 
emigrants  of  larger  property  began  to  reach  the  country,  and 
some  of  the  settlements  assumed  the  appearance  of  greater 
comfort  and  thrift.  The  first  house  covered  with  shingles  was 
put  up  this  year.  It  stood  a few  miles  east  of  the  present 
Jonesboro’,  near  “The  Cottage,”  the  residence  of  J.  W. 
Deaderick,  Esq. 

Under  the  provisions  of  an  act  passed  for  encouraging  the 
militia  and  volunteers  to  prosecute  the  war  against  the  In- 
dians, the  militia  of  Washington  county  was,  for  the  greater 
part  of  this  year,  in  the  service  of  the  state.  This  enabled 
every  able-bodied  man  between  eighteen  and  fifty  years  of 
age  to  secure  the  lands  he  wished  to  own.  It  had  the  fur- 
ther effect  of  keeping  the  frontier  well  guarded.  Companies 
of  rangers  were  kept  upon  the  most  exposed  points  to  scour 
the  woods  and  cane-brakes,  and  to  pursue  and  disperse  small 
parties  of  ill-disposed  Indians  who,  hovering  about  the  settle- 
ments, occasionally  killed  and  plundered  the  inhabitants. 
Under  the  protection  of  these  rangers,  the  settlements  were 
widened  and  extended  down  Nollichucky  below  the  mouth  of 
Big  Limestone,  and  down  Holston  to  the  treaty  line.  Indeed, 
the  frontiers  were  so  well  guarded  that  the  Indians  consi- 
dered their  incursions  as  perilous  to  themselves  as  they  could 


REINFORCEMENT  FROM  HOLSTON  TO  BOONESBOROUGH.  177 


be  to  the  white  inhabitants,  and  for  a great  part  of  the  year 
forbore  to  make  them.* 

John  Carter  was  appointed  Colonel  of  Washington  county, 
( and  in  the  execution  of  his  duties  as  commandant,  his 
( authority  had  been  interfered  with  by  men  acting  under 
the  orders  of  General  Rutherford.  Bringing  this  subject  to 
the  notice  of  Governor  Caswell,  Col.  Carter  uses  this  inde- 
pendent language:  “Your  Excellency  may  be  assured  that  I 
will  do  everything  in  my  power  for  regulating  the  militia, 
for  the  defence  of  our  frontier,  and  for  the  benefit  of  the 
United  States,  but  if  my  dignity  is  to  be  sported  with  under 
those  circumstances,  I have  no  need  of  your  commission  as 
commanding  officer  for  Washington  District. 

“N.  B.  I have  just  received  intelligence  of  the  Little 
Carpenter  being  at  the  Long  Island,  with  twenty-five  or  thirty 
young  warriors.  They  declare  the  greatest  friendship,  and 
say  they  have  five  hundred  young  warriors  ready  to  come 
to  the  assistance  of  Virginia  and  North-Carolina  when  called 
for,  if  to  fight  the  English  or  any  Indians  that  want  war  with 
the  white  people  of  these  two  states.” 

During  the  summer  of  this  year  the  Indians  invaded  the 
Kentucky  settlements.  On  the  4th  of  July  two  hundred  of 
them  appeared  before  Boonesborough  and  commenced  one 
of  the  most  memorable  sieges  in  the  annals  of  border  war- 
fare. It  continued  till  September,  although  relieved  by  a 
reinforcement  of  forty  riflemen  from  Holston.  During  the 
siege  an  Indian  was  killed,  and  upon  his  body  was  found  a 
proclamation  by  Henry  Hamilton,  British  Lieutenant-Go- 
vernor and  Commandant  at  Detroit,  in  which  he  offered  pro- 
tection to  such  of  the  inhabitants  as  would  abandon  the  cause 
of  the  revolted  colonies,  but  denounced  vengeance  against 
those  who  should  adhere  to  them.  Captain  Logan,  with  a 
select  party  of  woodsmen,  left  the  fort  by  night  and  set  out 
for  Holston  to  procure  further  supplies  and  reinforcements. 
With  a sack  of  parched  corn  for  their  fare,  Logan’s  party, 
travelling  by  night,  on  foot,  by  unfrequented  ways,  and  con- 
cealing themselves  in  secluded  vallies  by  day,  eventually 


12 


Haywood. 


178 


WARM  SPRINGS  DISCOVERED. 


succeeded  in  making  the  journey  of  two  hundred  miles, 
appealed  to  the  patriotism  of  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee,  and 
returned  to  the  relief  of  the  beleaguered  forts  with  supplies 
and  one  hundred  riflemen.* 

During  this  summer  two  of  the  spies  that  were  kept  out  in 
1^8  | advance  of  the  settlements,  viz,  Henry  Reynolds  and 
( Thomas  Morgan,  discovered  the  Warm  Springs  on 
French  Broad.  They  had  pursued  some  stolen  horses  to  the 
point  opposite,  and  leaving  their  own  horses  on  the  north 
bank,  waded  across  the  river.  As  they  reached  the  southern 
shore  they  passed  through  a little  branch,  the  tepid  water  of 
which  attracted  their  attention.  The  next  year  the  Warm 
Springs  were  resorted  to  by  invalids. 

The  frontier  people  had  been  so  far  relieved  from  appre- 
hension of  Indian  hostility,  as  to  dispense  during  the  summer 
of  this  year,  with  a portion  of  the  guards  heretofore  main- 
tained for  their  protection.  These  were  disbanded  and  re- 
turned to  the  quiet  pursuits  of  planting  and  working  their 
crops.  They  were  lulled  into  a false  security  and  had  neg- 
lected to  take  the  usual  measures  of  protection  and  defence, 
which  the  exposed  condition  of  the  border  settlements  de- 
manded. This  relaxation  of  their  ordinary  watchfulness  and 
care,  invited  aggression  and  a renewal  of  the  outrages  and 
massacres  which  had  been  before  experienced.  The  settle- 
ments being  thus  thrown  off  their  guard,  a portion  of  the 
militia  discharged  and  little  or  no  regular  armed  force  being 
at  hand,  another  source  of  annoyance  and  injury  presented 
itself.  The  tories  from  the  disaffected  counties  of  North- 
Carolina  and  other  states,  had  come  in  great  numbers  to  the 
frontier,  and  there  combining  with  thieves  and  robbers, 
prowled  around  the  feebler  neighbourhoods,  and  for  a time 
committed  depredation  and  murder  with  impunity.  Their 
number  was  considerable,  and  they  boasted  that  they  were 
able  to  look  down  all  opposition  and  to  defy  all  restraint. 

In  this  emergency  we  have  again  to  mention  another  in- 
stance of  self-reliance,  so  characteristic  of  the  pioneer  people. 
A combination  of  lawless  men  had  been  formed,  formidable 
alike  for  their  number  and  for  their  desperate  character.  The 

* Monette. 


SUMMARY  PUNISHMENT  OF  TORIES. 


179 


laws  could  not  reach  ; them  they  escaped  equally  detection 
and  punishment. 

The  law-abiding  and  honest  people  of  the  country  took  the 
affair  into  their  own  hands,  appointed  a committee,  invested 
it  with  unlimited  power,  and  authorized  it  to  adopt  any  mea- 
sure necessary  to  arrest  the  growing  evil.  The  names  of  this 
committee  of  safety  are  not  given,  but  it  is  known  that  under 
its  direction  and  authority  two  companies  of  dragoons,  num- 
bering about  thirty  each,  were  immediately  organized  and 
equipped,  and  were  directed  to  patrol  the  whole  country, 
capture  and  punish  with  death  all  suspected  persons,  who 
refused  submission  or  failed  to  give  good  security  for  their 
appearance  before  the  committee.  Slighter  offences  were 
atoned  for  by  the  infliction  of  corporeal  punishment ; to  this 
was  superadded,  in  cases  where  the  offender  was  able  to  pay 
it,  a heavy  fine  in  money.  Leaders  in  crime  expiated  their 
guilt  by  their  lives.  Several  of  these  were  shot ; some  of 
them  at  their  execution  disclosed  the  names  and  hiding  places 
of  their  accomplices.  These  were  in  their  turn  pursued, 
arrested  and  punished,  and  the  country  was  in  less  than  two 
months  restored  to  a condition  of  safety,  and  the  disturbers  of 
its  quiet  preserved  their  lives  only  by  secrecy  or  flight. 

Isam  Yearley,  a loyalist  on  Nollichucky,  was  driven  out  of 
the  country  by  a company  of  whigs,  of  which  Captain  Wm. 
Bean,  Isaac  Lane,  Sevier  and  Robertson,  were  members. 
The  same  company  afterwards  pursued  a party  of  tories, 
who  uuder  the  lead  of  Mr.  Grimes,  on  Watauga,  had  killed 
Millican,  a whig,  and  attempted  to  kill  Mr.  Roddy  and  Mr. 
Grubbs.  The  latter  they  had  taken  to  a high  pinnacle  on 
the  edge  of  the  river,  and  threatened  to  throw  him  off.  He 
was  respited  under  a promise  that  they  should  have  all  his 
property.  These  tories  were  concealed  high  up  Watauga  in 
the  mountain,  but  Captain  Bean  and  his  whig  comrades  fer- 
retted  them  out,  fired  upon  and  wounded  their  leader,  and 
forced  them  to  escape  across  the  mountain.  Capt.  Grimes 
was  hung  after  King’s  Mountain  battle,  in  which  he  was 
taken  prisoner.* 

* Others  of  Bean’s  company  -were  Joseph  Duncan,  John  Condley,  Thomas  Hardi- 
man,  Wm.  Stone,  Michael  Massingale,  John  and  George  Bean,  Edmond  Bean, 
Aquilla  and  Isaac  Lane,  James  Roddy,  and  Samuel  and  Robert  Tate. 


180 


COURTS  CONFISCATE  THE  PROPERTY  OF  TORIES. 


The  occasion  for  this  summary  mode  of  preserving  order 
and  promoting  the  welfare  of  the  people,  having  thus  been 
removed,  the  committee  laid  down  its  functions  and  ceased  to 
exist.  It  had  accomplished  the  purposes  for  which  it  had 
been  created,  and  the  extraordinary  powers  with  which  the 
sovereign  people  had  invested  it,  were  surrendered,  and  jus- 
tice was  again  administered  through  the  regular  channels. 

The  exercise  of  these  rigorous  and  sanguinary  measures 
may  be,  at  this  day,  viewed  by  some  with  a degree  of  disap- 
probation and  regret.  This  feeling,  however,  will  be  quali- 
fied by  a recollection  of  the  peculiar  condition  of  the  new 
community  in  which  they  transpired,  and  the  circumstances 
of  the  general  country  at  the  period  of  their  adoption. 
Wicked  and  unprincipled  men  had  chosen  to  commit  their 
outrages  and  depredations  upon  infant  settlements,  feeble, 
immature  and  just  germinating  into  political  life.  They 
had  selected,  too,  a period  for  perpetrating  their  crimes,  when 
the  whole  energies  of  their  patriotic  countrymen  across  the 
mountain  were  called  into  requisition  in  support  of  the  con- 
flict for  Independence  ; and  it  is  a proud  reflection,  that  in 
these  times  of  trial  and  embarrassment,  patriotism,  enlarged 
and  lofty,  was  the  sentiment  of  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee. 
Their  courage  never  quailed,  and  their  energies  never 
faltered  amid  the  gloom  that  enveloped  their  Atlantic  coun- 
trymen. Under  these  difficulties  at  home,  under  such  dis- 
couragements abroad,  did  the  patriots  of  Nollichucky  and 
Watauga  discharge  their  high  duties  to  themselves  and  to 
their  bleeding  country.  The  tories  were  hunted  up  and  pun- 
ished or  driven  from  amongst  them,  while  the  refugee  whigs 
were  cordially  welcomed,  and  found  shelter  and  protection 
in  these  distant  retreats. 

The  energetic  conduct  of  the  people  and  the  patriotic  impul- 
ses that  engendered  it,  received  also  the  cordial  sanction  and 
concurrence  of  the  legal  tribunals  of  the  country.  In  some 
instances  the  action  of  the  county  courts  may  have  assumed 
or  encroached  upon  the  legislative  prerogative.  Some  ex- 
tracts from  the  Journals  of  the  first  courts  held  in  the  country, 
may  not  be  uninteresting  to  the  curious,  and  are  here  pre- 
served : 


FIRST  RECORDS  OF  WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 


181 


“Washington  County,  Feb.  23. — Court  Journals. — At  a court 
begun  and  held  for  the  county  of  Washington,  Feb.  23,  1 *7 78,  Present, 
John  Carter,  Chairman,  John  Sevier,  Jacob  Womack,  Robert  Lucas, 
Andrew  Greer,  John  Shelby,  George  Russell,  Wm.  Been,  Zachariah  Isbell, 
John  McbTabb,  Thomas  Houghton,  William  Clark,  John  McMahan,  Ben- 
jamin Gist,  John  Chisholm,  Joseph  Willson,  Wm.  Cobb,  James  Stuart, 
Michael  Woods,  Richard  ■ White,  Benjamin  Willson,  James  Robertson 
and  Valentine  Sevier,  Esqs.  On  Tuesday,  next  day,  John  Sevier  was 
chosen  Clerk  of  the-  county;  Valentine  Sevier,  Sheriff;  James  Stuart, 
Surveyor;  John  Carter,  Entry-Taker  ; John  McMahan,  Register,;  Jacob 
Womack,  Stray -Master  and  John  McNabb,  Coroner. 

“ Wm.  Cocke,  by  W.  Avery,  moved  to  be  admitted  Clerk  of  Washing- 
ton county,  which  motion  was  rejected  by  the  Court,  knowing  that  John 
Sevier  is  entitled  to  the  office. 

“ The  State  vs. , ) It  is  the  opinion  of  the  court  that  the 

In  Toryism.  \ defendant  be  imprisoned  during  the  pre- 

sent war  with  Great  Britain,  and  the  Sheriff  take  the  whole  of  his  estate 
into  custody,  which  must  be  valued  by  a jury  at  the  next  court — one 
half  of  said  estate  to  be  kept  by  said  Sheriff  for  the  use  of  the  State,  and  the 
other  half  to  be  remitted  to  the  family  of  defendant.” 

The  court  thus  exhibited  a marked  instance  of  judgment  and 
mercy  in  the  same  Order — combining  patriotism  with  justice 
and  humanity. 

At term  of  Washington  County  Court,  “ On  motion  ofE.  Dun- 

lap, State  Attorney,  that  J.  H.,  for  his  ill  practices  in  harbouring  and 
abetting  disorderly  persons  who  are  prejudicial  and  Inimical  to  the  Com- 
mon Cause  of  Liberty,  and  frequently  disturbing  our  Tranquility  in 
General,  Be  imprisoned  for  the  term  and  time  of  one  year. 

“ The  Court  duly  considering  the  allegations  Alledged  and  objected 
against  the  said  J.  H.,  are  of  opinion  that  for  his  disorderly  practices  as 
aforesaid,  from  time  to  time,  and  to  prevent  the  further  and  future  prac- 
tice of  the  same  pernicious  nature,  do  order  him  to  be  imprisoned  for  the 
term  of  one  year,  & Is,  accordingly,  ordered  into  the  custody  of  the 
Sheriff.”  * 

The  jurisdiction  of  the  court  seems  to  have  extended  not 
only  to  the  persons  of  political  offenders  but  to  their  property 
also,  whether  in  possession  or  expectancy.  We  extract  again 
from  the  minutes  : 

“ On  motion  of  E.  Dunlap,  Esq.,  that  a sum  of  money  of  fifteen  hun- 
dred pounds,  current  money  due  from  R.  C.  to  said  J.  H.  for  two  negroes, 
be  retained  in  the  hands  of  said  C.,  as  there  is  sufficient  reason  to  believe 
that  the  said  H.’s  estate  will  be  confiscated  to  the  use  of  the  State  for  his 
misdemeanors,  &c. 


* Journal  of  Washington  County  Court. 


182 


FIRST  CHRISTIAN  MINISTERS. 


“ The  Court  considering  the  case,  are  of  opinion  that  the  said  monies 
ought  to  be  retained. 

“ On  motion  that  Commissioners  ought  to  he  appointed  to  take  into 
possession  such  property  as  shall  be  confiscated,  &c. 

“ The  Court  on  taking  the  same  under  consideration,  do  Nominate  and 
Appoint  John  Sevier,  Jesse  Walton  and  Zachariah  Isbell,  Esqs.,  for  the 
aforesaid  purpose.” 

Amidst  these  scenes  of  civil  disorder  and  violence,  the  chris- 
\ tian  ministry  began  to  shed  its  benign  influence.  Ti- 
l deuce  Lane,  a Baptist  preacher,  organized  a congrega- 
tion this  year.  A house  for  public  worship  was  erected  on  Buf- 
falo Ridge.  About  the  same  time,  Rev.  Samuel  Doak  was 
preaching  through  Washington  and  Sullivan  counties. 

The  second  term  of  the  Washington  County  Court  was  held 
May  25,  1778,  at  the  house  of  Charles  Robertson.  Ephraim 
Dunlap  was  admitted  as  Attorney:  Valentine  Sevier  was 
appointed  Sheriff ; John  Sevier,  Jesse  Walton  and  Zachariah 
Isbell,  entered  into  bond  for  faithful  performance  of  duties 
as  Commissioners  of  Confiscated  Estates  ; Spruce  McCay  was 
admitted  as  Attorney. 

The  first  settlers  in  the  Greasy  Cove  were  Webb,  Martin 
and  Judd.  The  large  bottoms  on  the-  Nollichucky  were  then 
dense  masses  of  cane.  Webb  discovered,  in  a cane-brake, 
a company  of  Indians.  They  followed  him  to  his  house,  and 
intimated  to  him  that  they  would  not  permit  him  to  stay 
there  unmolested.  He  returned  to  Virginia  and  brought 
back  to  his  settlement  additional  emigrants,  and  they  were 
allowed  to  form  a considerable  neighbourhood  without 
molestation  ; but  higher  up,  above  this,  on  Indian  Creek,  Mr. 
Wm.  Lewis,  his  wife  and  seven  children,  were  killed  by  the 
Indians,  and  his  house  was  burned.  One  of  the  sons  escaped, 
and  a daughter  was  taken  prisoner  and  was  afterwards  ran- 
somed for  a gun.  The  Indians  were  pursued  by  a company 
of  troops  commanded  by  Nathaniel  Taylor,  but  were  not 
overtaken  till  they,  crossing  French  Broad  river,  reached  the 
inaccessible  retreats  beyond  it. 

To  counteract  the  intrigues  of  the  British  agents,  and  the 
wicked  influence  of  disaffected  Americans  who  had  taken 
refuge  in  the  Cherokee  nation,  a Superintendent  of  Indian 


captain  Robertson’s  agency  to  cherokees. 


183 


Affairs  was  directed  by  Gov.  Caswell  to  repair  to  their  towns 
and  reside  among  them.  Captain  Robertson  was  selected 
for  that  station.  He  carried,  from  the  governor,  a talk  for 
the  Raven  of  Chota,  to  be  delivered  to  that  chieftain  and 
his  nation  by  the  hands  of  the  agent  and  Col.  McDowell. 
By  this  embassy  the  governor  acknowledged  the  receipt  of 
a peace  talk  from  Savanuca,  and  gave  assurances  that  he 
was  pleased  with  it  and  desired  further  correspondence 
with  him,  and  promised  to  use  every  effort  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  peace  and  to  inflict  adequate  punishment  on  all  who 
should  violate  it.  He  further  added  that,  if  any  of  the 
Indians  were  kept  in  captivity  by  the  whites,  they  should  be 
restored.  But  these  conciliatory  measures  were  misunder- 
stood by  the  deluded  savages.  Savanuca  and  some  of  the 
more  aged  chiefs  were  disposed  to  peace,  but  were  unable 
to  repress  the  warlike  attitude  of  the  Dragging-Canoe  and 
his  hostile  tribe,  the  Chickamaugas.  This  tribe  of  the 
Cherokees,  at  first,  occupied  the  borders  of  Chickamauga 
Creek,  but  afterwards  extended  their  villages  fifty  miles 
below,  on  both  sides  of  the  Tennessee. 

The  passage  of  this  river  through  the  several  ranges  of 
the  Cumberland  Mountains,  forms  one  of  the  most  remark- 
able features  in  American  topography.  It  is  unique,  roman- 
tic and  picturesque — presenting  views  at  once  variegated, 
grand,  sublime  and  awful.  At  the  Great  Look  Out  or  Chatta- 
nooga Mountain,  commences  a series  of  rapids,  where,  in  its  tor- 
tuous windings  along  the  base  of  several  mountain  ranges,  the 
Tennessee  River,  contracted  into  a narrow  channel,  hemmed 
in  by  projecting  cliffs  and  towering  precipices  of  solid  stone, 
dashes  with  tumultuous  violence  from  shore  to  shore,  crea- 
ting, in  its  rapid  descent  over  immense  boulders  and  masses 
of  rock,  a succession  of  cataracts  and  vortices.  Beautiful 
and  interesting  in  the  extreme  to  the  beholder,  these  rapids 
constitute  a formidable  obstacle  to  navigation,  which,  even 
yet,  is  not  entirely  overcome  by  the  agency  of  steam.  Che- 
rokee tradition  is  prolific  of  accident  and  disaster  to  the 
navigation  of  the  aborigines.  It  is  fabled  that  a fleet  of 
Indian  canoes,  rowed  by  Uchee  warriors,  and  destined  for 
an  invasion  of  the  Shawnees,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio,  was 


184 


CAVE  OF  NICAJACK. 


engulphed  in  the  Whirlpool,  now  known  as  the  Suck.  Civi- 
lization, skill  and  experience  have  diminished  these  obstacles 
to  commerce  and  navigation,  but  three  quarters  of  a century 
since  it  was  an  achievement  of  no  ordinary  kind  to  pass 
through  them,  though  at  high  tide.  Even  now,  the  voyageur 
must  be  fearless  and  vigilant. 

If  the  channel  of  the  river  presented  dangerous  physical 
impediments,  its  environs  held  those  of  another  character,  not 
less  formidable.  Along  those  foaming  rapids  and  on  either 
side  of  the  river,  the  shores  are  wild,  elevated  and  bold,  in 
some  places,  scarcely  leaving  room  for  a path  separating  the 
stream  from  the  adjacent  mountain,  with  here  and  there  a 
cove  running  back  from  the  river  into  the  heights  which  sur- 
round and  frown  down  upon  it,  in  sombre  solitude  and 
gloomy  silence.  In  these  mountain  gorges  were  fastnesses, 
dark,  forbidding  and  inaccessible.  Their  very  aspect  invited 
to  deeds  of  violence,  murder  and  crime.  No  human  eye 
could  witness,  no  vigilance  detect,  no  power  punish,  no  force 
avenge  them.  A retreat  into  these  dreary  seclusions,  stimu- 
lated to  aggression,  as  they  furnished  a perfect  immunity  from 
pursuit  and  punishment. 

NIC-A-JACK  CAVE. 

One  of  the  secret  resorts  of  the  free-booters  who  infested 
this  region,  was  an  immense  cavern  still  known  as  the  Nic- 
a-jack  Cave.  It  is  situated  in  the  side,  or  end  rather,  of  Cum- 
berland Mountain,  at  a point  near  the  present  depot  of  the 
Nashville  and  Chattanooga  Rail  Road,  and  about  thirty-six 
miles  below  Chattanooga.  Its  main  entrance  is  on  the  Ten- 
nessee River.  The  cave  has  been  thus  described  by  an- 
other : “ At  its  mouth  it  is  about  thirty  yards  wide,  arched 
over  head  with  pure  granite,  this  being  in  the  centre  about  fif- 
teen feet  high.  A beautiful  little  river,  clear  as  crystal,  issues 
from  its  mouth.  The  distance  the  cave  extends  into  the  moun- 
tains has  not  been  ascertained.  It  has  been  explored  only  four 
or  five  miles.  At  the  mouth  the  river  is  wide  and  shallow,  but 
narrower  than  the  cave.  As  you  proceed  further  up  the 
stream  the  cave  becomes  gradually  narrower,  until  it  is  con- 
tracted to  the  exact  width  of  the  river.  It  is  beyond  this 


THE  “NARROWS”  OF  THE  TENNESSEE.  185 

point  explored  only  by  water  in  a small  canoe.”  The  abo- 
riginal name  of  this  cavern  was  Te-calla-see. 

Into  this  vast  cavern,  for  the  purposes  of  concealment  and 
murder,  the  banditti  of  the  “ Narrows”  retired  with  their  spoils 
and  their  victims.  The  place  now  enlivened  and  enriched 
by  the  genius  of  Fulton,  and  in  view  of  the  Steamer  and  Loco- 
motive, was  then  the  dismal  and  gloomy  retreat  of  savage 
cruelty  and  barbarian  guilt. 

These  impregnable  fortresses  of  nature  were  as  yet  un- 
occupied by  the  sons  of  the  forest.  The  hunter  avoided  and 
was  deterred  from  entering  them.  The  Indian,  in  his  canoe, 
glided  swiftly  by  them,  as  if  apprehending  that  the  evil  ge- 
nius of  the  place  was  there  to  engulph  and  destroy  him.  It 
remained  for  American  enterprise  to  see  and  overcome  them. 

About  1773  or  1774,  some  families  in  West  Virginia  and 
North-Carolina,  attracted  by  the  glowing  accounts  of  West 
Florida,  sought  a settlement  in  that  province.  They  came 
to  the  Holston  frontier,  built  their  boats,  and  following  the 
stream,  reached  Natchez  by  water.  Necessity  drove  them 
to  employ  Indians  and  Indian  traders,  as  pilots  through  the 
dangerous  passes  of  the  Tennessee  River.  Occasionally  a 
boat  was  either  by  accident  or  design  shipwrecked,  at  some 
point  between  the  Chickamauga  Towns  and  the  lower  end 
of  the  Muscle  Shoals.  Its  crew  became  easy  victims  of 
savage  cruelty — its  cargo  fell  a prey  to  Indian  cupidity.  As 
these  voyages  increased,  and  the  emigrants  by  water  multi- 
plied from  year  to  year,  so  did  the  Indian  settlements  all 
along  the  rapids,  also  extend.  The  Chickamaugas  were  the 
first  to  settle  there,  and  to  become  depredators  upon  the  lives 
and  property  of  emigrants.  Conscious  of  guilt,  unwilling  to 
withhold  their  warriors  from  robbery  and  murder,  they  failed 
to  attend  with  the  rest  of  their  tribe  at  treaties  of  peace,  and 
refused  to  observe  treaty  stipulations  when  entered  into  by 
their  nation.  They  broke  up  their  old  towns  on  and  near 
Chickamauga,  removed  lower  down  on  the  river,  and  laid 
the  foundation  of  several  new  villages,  afterwards  known  as 
the  Five  Lower  Towns — Running  Water,  Nicajack,  Long 
Island  Villages,  Crow  Town,  and  Look  Out,  which  soon  be- 
came populous,  and  the  most  formidable  part  of  the  Cherokee 


186 


col.  evan  shelby’s  expedition. 


nation.  They  were  situated  near  the  Great  Crossing  on 
Tennessee,  where  the  hunting  and  war  parties,  in  their  ex- 
cursions from  the  south  to  the  north,  always  crossed  that 
stream.  To  this  point  congregated,  with  fearful  rapidity, 
the  worst  men  in  all  the  Indian  tribes.  Murderers,  thieves, 
pirates,  banditti,  not  of  every  Indian  tribe  only,  but  depraved 
white  men,  rendered  desperate  by  crime,  hardened  by  out- 
lawry and  remorseless  from  conscious  guilt,  fled  hither  and 
confederated  with  barbarian  aborigines  in  a common  as- 
sault upon  humanity  and  justice,  and  in  defiance  of  all  laws 
of  earth  and  heaven.  These  miscreants  constituted  for  a 
number  of  years  the  Barbary  Powers  of  the  West — the  Al- 
giers of  the  American  interior. 

They  had  become  very  numerous,  composing  a banditti  of 
more  than  one  thousand  warriors.  These  had  refused  the 
terms  of  peace  proposed  by  Christian,  and  had  perpetrated 
the  greatest  outrages  upon  the  whole  frontier.  The  Chicka- 
mauga  Towns  were  the  central  points  from  which  their  de- 
tachments were  sent  out  for  murder  and  plunder,  and  where 
guns,  and  ammunition,  and  other  supplies,  were  received 
from  their  allies  in  Florida.  It  was  determined  to  invade 
and  destroy  these  towns.  North-Carolina  and  Virginia,  in 
conjunction,  ordered  a strong  expedition  against  them,  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Evan  Shelby.  It  consisted  of  one 
thousand  volunteers  from  the  western  settlements  of  these 
two  states,  and  a regiment  of  twelve  months’  men  under  the 
i 1 command  of  Col.  John  Montgomery.*  At  this  period 
i the  two  governments  were  much  straightened  in  their 
resources  on  account  of  the  existing  war  of  the  Revolution, 
and  were  unable  to  make  any  advances  for  supplies  or  trans- 

* When  General  George  Rogers  Clarke,  in  1778,  was  planning  his  celebrated 
expedition  to  Kaskaskias,  Vincennes,  etc.,  in  the  Illinois  country,  Major  W.  B. 
Smith  was  despatched  to  the  Holston  settlements  to  recruit  men  for  that  service.  It 
was  desired  by  the  government  of  Virginia  that  the  troops  should  be  raised  west  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  so  as  not  to  weaken  the  Atlantic  defence.  Smith  raised  four  com- 
panies on  Holston.  Montgomery’s  regiment  was  intended  as  a reinforcement  to 
Clarke,  and  was  temporarily  diverted  Irom  that  object,  and  opportunely  was  at 
hand  to  assist  in  the  reduction  of  the  Chickamaugas.  Montgomery  had  recently 
returned  from  Richmond,  whither  he  had  gone  in  charge  of  M.  Rocheblave,  the 
British  commandant  of  Kaskaskias. 


NAVAL  ARMAMENT  DESCENDS  HOLSTON. 


187 


portation  necessary  for  this  campaign.  All  these  were  pro- 
cured by  the  indefatigable  and  patriotic  exertions,  and  on  the 
individual  responsibility,  of  Isaac  Shelby.* 

The  army  rendezvoused  at  the  mouth  of  Big  Creek,  a few 
miles  above  where  Rogersville,  in  Hawkins  county,  now 
stands.  Perogues  and  canoes  were  immediately  made  from 
the  adjacent  forest,  and,  on  the  10th  of  April,  the  troops  em- 
barked and  descended  the  Holston.  So  rapid  was  the  descent 
of  this  first  naval  armament  down  the  river,  as  to  take  the 
enemy  completely  by  surprise.  They  fled  in  all  directions  to 
the  hills  and  mountains,  without  giving  battle.  Shelby  pur- 
sued and  hunted  them  in  the  woods — killed  upwards  of  forty 
of  their  warriors,  burnt  down  their  towns,  destroyed  their 
corn  and  every  article  of  provision,  and  drove  away  their 
great  flocks  of  cattle. f 

In  this  sudden  invasion  Col.  Shelby  destroyed  eleven  of 
their  towns,  besides  twenty  thousand  bushels  of  corn.  He 
also  captured  a supply  of  stores  and  goods  valued  at  £20,000, 
which  had  been  provided  by  his  majesty’s  agents  for  distri- 
bution, at  a general  Council  of  the  Northern  and  Southern 
Indians,  that  had  been  called  by  Governor  Hamilton,  of  De- 
troit, to  assemble  at  the  mouth  of  Tennessee. J 

shelby’s  chickamauga  expedition. 

Evan  Shelby  commanded  350  and  Col.  Montgomery  150 
men,  on  the  Chickamauga  expedition.  Their  pilot  was  named 
Hudson.  The  boats  turned  up  the  Chickamauga  Creek  ; 
near  the  mouth  of  a branch  an  Indian  was  taken  prisoner. 
W ith  him  as  their  guide,  the  troops  waded  out  through  an  inun- 
dated cane-break,  and  entered  Chickamauga,  a town  nearly 
one  mile  long ; Dragging  Canoe  and  Big  Fool  were  its 
chiefs.  The  Indians,  five  hundred  in  number,  astonished  at 
the  sudden  invasion  of  their  towns  by  an  armament  by 
water,  made  no  resistance  and  fled  into  the  mountains.  The 
town  was  burned.  John  McCrosky,  late  of  Sevier  county, 
took  a party  and  followed  the  flying  Indians  across  the  river, 
and  dispersed  a camp  of  them  which  he  found  on  Laurel 


* Haywood. 


t Idem. 


t Monette. 


188 


TROOPS  RETURN  NORTH  OP  THE  RIVERS. 


Creek.  Another  party  took  Little  Owl’s  Town,  and  others 
were  in  like  manner  taken  and  burnt.  Besides  the  other 
spoils,  Shelby  took  150  horses,  100  cattle  and  great  quanti- 
ties of  deer  skins,  owned  in  part  by  a trader  named  McDonald. 
These  were  all  sold  at  vendue.  Isaac  and  all  the  other  sons 
of  Col.  Evan  Shelby,  were  out  on  this  campaign. 

This  service  performed,  the  troops  destroyed  or  sunk  then- 
little  vessels  and  the  supply  of  provisions  that  was  in  them, 
and  returned  home  on  foot.  In  their  march  they  suffered 
much  for  the  want  of  provisions,  which  could  be  procured 
only  by  hunting  and  killing  game.  They  returned  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Tennessee,  passed  by  the  place  since  known 
as  the  Post-Oak-Springs,  crossed  Emery  and  Clinch  a little 
above  their  confluence,  and  Holston  some  miles  above  its 
junction  with  French  Broad.  These  were  the  first  troops 
that  had  seen  the  richest  lands  of  the  present  Hamilton, 
Rhea,  Roane,  Knox,  and  the  north  part  of  Jefferson  counties, 
and  seen  as  they  were  in  all  the  beauty  and  verdure  of  May, 
it  is  not  strange  that  a new  and  increasing  current  of  emi- 
gration was  at  once  turned  to  this  beautiful  and  inviting 
country. 

About  the  time  of  the  expedition  of  Shelby  to  Chicka- 
mauga,  Gov.  Hamilton  was  attempting  to  form  a grand  co- 
alition between  all  the  northern  and  southern  Indians,  to  be 
aided  by  British  regulars,  who  were  to  advance  and  assist  them 
in  driving  all  the  settlers  from  the  Western  waters.  In  the 
prosecution  of  this  object  he  had  advanced  from  Detriot  and 
re-captured  Vincennes,  and  contemplated  an  expedition 
against  Kaskaskias,  where  he  expected  to  be  joined  by  five 
hundred  Cherokees  and  Chickasaws.  Shelby  had  destroyed 
the  towns  and  killed  the  warriors  of  his  allies  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  and  the  coalition  of  the  southern  and  northern  Indians 
was  thus  entirely  prevented. 

Col.  Evan  Shelby,  the  commander  of  this  expedition,  has 
been  elsewhere  mentioned,  as  an  officer  at  the  Kenhawa 
battle.  He  had  been  before  in  the  military  service  of  Vir- 
ginia, as  a captain  of  rangers  under  Braddock,  and  led 
the  advance  under  General  Forbes  when  Fort  DuQuesne 
was  taken  by  that  officer.  After  the  successful  expedition  to 


JONESBORO,  OLDEST  TOWN  IN  TENNESSEE. 


189 


Chickamauga,  Col.  Evan  Shelby  was  appointed  by  Virginia, 
a general  other  militia. 

At  the  close  of  a useful  life  he  died,  and  was  buried  near 
King’s  Meadow,  in  Sullivan  county. 

The  Legislature  of  North-Carolina,  this  year,  laid  off  and 
1779  $ established  Jonesborough  as  the  seat  of  justice  for 
l Washington  county.  John  Wood,  Jesse  Walton,  George 
Russell,  James  Stewart  and  Benjamin  Clerk,  were  appointed 
commissioners  to  lay  out  and  direct  its  buildings.  This  was 
the  first  town  in  what  is  now  Tennessee.  Jonesboro’  was  so 
called  after  Willie  Jones,  Esq.,  of  Halifax,  N.  C.,  a friend  to 
the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  western  counties.  He 
was  an  active  patriot  and  statesman  in  the  days  of  the 
Revolution,  as  well  as  before  and  after.  He  was  an  intelli- 
gent, useful  and  honest  legislator,  exercising  great  candour 
and  independence.* 

Commissioners  were  appointed  this  year  to  run  the  boun- 
dary between  Virginia  and  North-Carolina.  This  was  the 
more  necessary,  as  lands  near  the  line  had  not  been  entered 
in  the  proper  offices,  and  many  of  the  settlers  did  not  know 
to  what  jurisdiction,  civil  or  military,  they  belonged.  At 
the  October  sessions  of  the  North-Carolina  Legislature,  a 
new  county  was  laid  o^  It  was  called,  in  honour  of  a 
general  then  commanding  in  the  army  of  the  United  States, 
Sullivan. 

Sullivan  county  Records  show  that  in  February,  1780, 
the  county  court  met  at  the  house  of  Moses  Looney.  A 
commission  was  presented,  appointing  as  Justices  of  the 
Peace  Isaac  Shelby,  David  Looney,  William  Christie,  (Chris- 
tian?) John  Dunham,  William  Wallace,  and  Samuel  Smith; 
John  Rhea  was  appointed  Clerk  ; Nathaniel  Clark,  Sheriff 
till  court  in  course. 

Isaac  Shelby  exhibited  his  commission  from  Gov.  Caswell, 
dated  Nov.  19,  1779,  appointing  him  Colonel  Commandant 
of  the  county;  D.  Looney,  one  of  same  date,  appointing 
him  Major.  Ephraim  Dunlap  was  appointed  State  Attorney, 
and  John  Adair,  Entry-Taker. 

The  next  court  was  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  James  Hollis. 


* Blount  papers. 


190 


ATTACK  ON  BOILSTOn’s  HOUSE. 


Anthony  Bledsoe  had  lived,  in  1769,  at  Fort  Chisel,  and, 
in  a short  time  after,  with  his  brother  Isaac  and  the  Shelbys, 
removed  further  west,  into  what  is  now  Sullivan  county. 
His  station  was  not  far  from  Long  Island.  He  was  in  the 
battle  of  the  Flats. 

After  the  repulse  of  Sir  Peter  Parker  from  Charleston,  the 
Southern  States  had  a short  respite  from  British  attack  and 
invasion.  The  conquest  of  the  states  was  thereafter  at- 
tempted from  north  to  south.  But  that  order  was,  from  this 
time,  inverted,  and  his  majesty’s  arms  were  directed 


against  the  most  southern  of  the  states.  On  the  29th 
Dec.,  1778,  Savannah,  the  capital  of  Georgia,  was  taken,  and 
soon  after  British  posts  were  established  as  far  into  the  i nterior 
as  Augusta.  General  Lincoln,  who  commanded  the  southern 
department,  sent  a detachment  of  fifteen  hundred  Norih- 
Carolina  militia,  under  command  of  Gen.  Ashe,  to  oblige  the 
enemy  to  evacuate  the  upper  part  of  Georgia.  The  detach- 
ment was  surprised  by  General  Provost  and  entirely  defeated. 
By  this  victory  of  the  British,  their  communication  with  their 
friends,  the  tories,  in  the  back  country,  and  with  their  allies 
the  Cherokees,  across  the  mountains,  was  restored.  The 
effect  of  this  was  soon  felt  upon  the  frontier. 

Frequent  conferences  were  he^  with  the  Cherokees  to 
induce  them  to  further  outbreaks  upon  the  western  settle- 
ments. The  Indians  invaded  the  country  soon  after  and 
attacked  Boilston’s  house,  on  the  frontier,  with  the  loss  on 
the  part  of  the  assailants  of  four  warriors  killed  and  a num- 
ber wounded.  During  the  attack,  Williams  and  Hardin  were 
killed.  The  enemy  was  driven  off.  They  were  pursued  by 
George  Doherty,  Joseph  Boyd  and  others,  but  escaped. 

Other  mischief  was  attempted,  but  the  scouts  and  light- 
horse  companies  guarded  the  frontier  so  vigilantly,  that  little 
injury  was  sustained  by  the  settlers.  The  apprehension  of 
danger  kept  up  the  military  organization  of  the  new  country, 
made  the  inhabitants  familiar  with  the  duties  of  camp  life, 
inured  them  to  toil  and  exposure,  deprivation  and  endurance, 
and  kindled  into  a flame  that  martial  spirit,  which  in  the 
course  of  the  next  year  they  were  called  upon  to  exhibit  with 
such  advantage  to  the  country  and  such  honour  to  themselves. 


FURTHER  EXPLORATION  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


191 


Stopping  the  order  of  current  events,  we  return  to  the 
( further  exploration  and  settlement  of  that  part  of  Ten- 
( nessee  west  of  the  Cumberland  Mountain.  By  the 
treaty  of  Watauga,  in  March  1775,  the  Cherokees  had  ceded 
to  Richard  Henderson  & Company  all  (he  lands  lying  between 
the  Kentucky  and  Cumberland  Rivers.  Although  that  treaty 
had  been  repudiated  by  the  proclamations  of  Lord  Dunmore 
and  Governor  Martin,  and  settlements  upon  the  ceded  terri- 
tory had  been  inhibited,  the  Company,  regardless  of  conse- 
quences, proceeded  to  take  possession  of  their  illegal  purchase. 
The  spirit  of  emigration  from  Virginia  and  Norfch-Carolina 
was  aroused,  and  pioneers  were  anxious  to  lead  the  way  in 
effecting  settlements. 

Boon  and  Floyd  and  Callaway  opened  the  way,  and  Benja- 
min Logan,  who  resided  some  time  on  Holston,  soon  followed  ; 
and  with  a host  of  other  valiant  and  enterprising  men  erected 
forts,  built  stations,  repelled,  with  unsurpassed  heroism  and 
self-sacrifice,  hostile  invasion,  and  contemporaneously  with 
the  pioneers  of  Tennessee  laid  the  foundations  of  society  and 
government  in  Kentucky. 

A portion  of  Henderson’s  purchase  on  the  Lower  Cumber- 
land, was  within  the  supposed  boundary  of  North-Carolina. 
It  was  at  first  reached  through  the  old  route  by  the  way  of 
Cumberland  Gap,  and  explorers  continued  to  pass  through 
it  on  their  way  to  what  is  now  called  Middle  Tennessee. 
Amongst  others,  Mansco  * renewed  his  visit  in  Nov.,  1775, 
and  came  to  Cumberland  River,  in  company  with  other  hunt- 
ers of  the  name  of  Bryant.  They  encamped  at  Mansco’s  Lick. 
Most  of  them  became  dissatisfied  with  the  country,  and  re- 
turned home.  Mansco  and  three  others  remained  and  com- 
menced trapping  on  Sulphur  Fork  and  Red  River. 

But  finding  themselves  in  the  neighbourhood  of  a party  of 
Blackfish  Indians,  they  deemed  it  essential  to  their  own  safety 
to  ascertain  where  they  were  encamped  and  what  was  their 
number.  Mansco  was  selected  to  make  the  discovery.  He 
came  cautiously  upon  their  camp  on  the  river,  and  standing 
behind  a tree  was  endeavouring  to  count  them.  He  could  see 
but  two,  and  supposed  the  rest  were  out  of  camp,  hunting. 

* Condensed  or  copied  from  Haywood. 


I 


192 


ARRIVAL  OF  CAPTAIN  DE  MUMBRUNE. 


At  the  moment  when  he  was  about  to  retire,  one  of  the  In- 
dians took  up  a tomahawk,  crossed  the  stream  and  went  upon 
the  other  side.  The  other  took  up  his  gun,  put  it  upon  his 
shoulder,  and  came  directly  towards  the  place  where  Mansco 
stood.  He  hoped  the  advancing  Indian  would  go  some  other 
way,  but  he  continued  to  come  in  a straight  line  towards  the 
spot  where  he  lay  concealed,  and  had  come  within  fifteen 
steps  of  him.  There  being  no  alternative  but  to  shoot  him, 
Mansco  cocked  and  presented  his  gun,  and  aiming  at  the  most 
vital  part,  pulled  trigger,  and  fired.  The  Indian  scream- 
ed, threw  down  his  gun  and  made  for  the  camp  ; but  he  passed 
it  and  pitched  headlong  down  the  bluff  dead,  into  the  river. 
The  other  Indian  ran  back  to  the  camp,  but  Mansco  outran 
him,  and  picking  up  an  old  gun  tried  to  shoot,  but  he  could 
not  get  it  to  fire,  and  the  Indian  escaped.  Mansco  broke  the 
old  gun  and  returned  in  haste  to  his  comrades.  The  next 
day  they  all  came  to  the  Indian  camp,  found  the  dead  warrior, 
took  away  his  tomahawk,  knife  and  shot-bag,  but  could  not 
find  his  gun.  The  other  Indian  had  returned,  loaded  his 
horses  with  his  furs,  and  was  gone.  They  pursued  him  all  that 
day  and  all  night,  with  torches  of  dry  cane,  but  could  not 
overtake  him.  Returning  to  Mansco’s  Lick,  they  soon  after 
began  their  journey  towards  the  settlements  on  New-River, 
but  were  detained  four  weeks  by  snow,  which  was  waist- 
deep.  After  that  melted,  they  resumed  their  journey  and 
arrived  safe  at  home. 

Thomas  Sharp,  Spencer  and  others,  allured  by  the  flatter- 
ing accounts  they  had  received  of  the  fertility  of  the  soil, 
and  of  the  abundance  of  game  which  the  country  afforded, 
determined  to  visit  it.  They  came,  in  the  year  1776,  to 
Cumberland  River,  and  built  a number  of  cabins.  Most  of 
them  returned,  leaving  Spencer  and  Holliday,  who  remained 
in  the  country  till  1779. 

Captain  De  Mumbrune  who.  as  late  as  1823,  lived  in 
Nashville,  hunted  in  that  country  as  early  as  1775.  He  was 
a native  of  France.  He  fixed  his  residence,  during  the  sum- 
mer, at  the  place  since  known  as  Eaton’s  Station.  He  saw 
no  Indians,  during  that  season,  in  the  country,  but  immense 
numbers  oi  buffalo  and  other  game.  In  February,  1777,  he 


FIRST  PLANTATION  IN  MIDDLE  TENNESSEE. 


193 


arrived,  after  a trip  to  Nevv-Orleans,  at  Deacon’s  Pond,  near 
where  Palmyra  now  stands,  and  found  there  six  white  men 
and  one  white  woman,  who,  in  coming  to  the  country,  had 
taken  water  where  Rockcastle  River  disembogues  into  the 
Cumberland,  and  descended  it,  hunting  occasionally  upon  its 
banks.  In  their  excursions  they  had  seen  no  Indians,  but 
immense  herds  of  buffaloes.  One  of  their  companions,  Wil- 
liam Bowen,  had  been  overran  by  a gang  of  these  animals, 
and  died  from  the  bruises  he  received.  John  Duncan  and 
James  Ferguson  were  of  this  company.  They  afterwards 
went  down  the  river,  and  were  cut  off  at  Natchez,  in  1779. 
A settlement  of  less  than  a dozen  families  was  formed 

) near  Bledsoe’s  Lick,  isolated  in  the  heart  of  the 
1778  ? 

) Chickasaw  nation,  with  no  other  protection  than  their 
own  courage,  and  a small  stockade  inclosure.* 

About  the  same  time,  a number  of  French  traders  ad- 
vanced up  the  Cumberland  River,  as  far  as  “the  Bluff,” 
where  they  erected  a trading  post  and  a few  log  cabins, 
with  the  approbation  of  the  Chickasaws.f 

The  Lower  Cumberland  continued  to  be  visited  and  ex- 
plored further.  Richard  Hogan,  Spencer,  Holliday  and 
others,  -came  this  year  from  Kentucky  in  search  of  good 
lands,  and  with  the  intention  of  securing  some  for  themselves 
as  permanent  settlements,  they  planted  a small  field  of  corn 
in  the  spring  of  1778.  This  first  plantation,  in  Middle  Ten- 
nessee, was  near  Bledsoe’s  Lick.  A large  hollow  tree  stood 
near  the  Lick.  In  this  Spencer  lived.  Pie  was  pleased  with 
the  prospects  for  further  settlement  which  the  situation  af- 
forded, and  could  not  be  induced  to  relinquish  them  and  re- 
turn home,  as  Holliday  in  vain  persuaded  him  to  do.  The 
former,  however,  determined  to  leave  the  wilderness,  but 
having  lost  his  knife,  was  unwilling  to  undertake  his  long 
travel  without  one  with  which  to  skin  his  venison  and  cut 
his  meat.  With  back-woods  generosity  and  kindness,  Spen- 
cer accompanied  his  comrade  to  the  Barrens  of  Kentucky, 
put  him  on  the  right  path,  broke  his  knife  and  gave  him  half 
of  it,  and  returned  to  his  hollow  tree  at  the  Lick,  where  he 
passed  the  winter.  Spencer  was  a man  of  gigantic  stature, 
* Flint.  f Martin’s  Louisiana. 


13 


194  capt.  Robertson’s  first  colony  at  frencii  lick. 


and  passing  one  morning  the  temporary  cabin  erected  at  a 
place  since  called  Eaton’s  Station,  and  occupied  by  one  of 
Captain  DeMumbrune’s  hunters,  his  huge  tracks  were  left 
plainly  impressed  in  the  rich  alluvial.  These  were  seen  by 
the  hunter  on  his  return  to  the  camp,  who,  alarmed  at  their 
size,  immediately  swam  across  the  river,  and  wandered 
through  the  woods  until  he  reached  the  French  settlements 
on  the  Wabash. 

Nearly  ten  years  had  now  elapsed  since  the  germ  of  a 
( civilized  community  had  been  planted  in  Upper  East 
l Tennessee.  No  settlement  had  yet  been  permanently 
fixed  on  the  Lower  Cumberland.  A hunter’s  camp,  and  the 
lonely  habitation  of  Spencer,  were  all  that  relieved  the  soli- 
tude or  lightened  the  gloom  of  that  western  wilderness. 
But  the  cheerlessness  of  barbarian  night  was  about  to  be 
dissipated  by  the  dawn  of  civilization  and  improvement.  In 
the  early  spring  of  1779,  a little  colony  of  gallant  adventu- 
rers, from  the  parent  hive  at  Watauga,  crossed  the  Cumber- 
land Mountain,  penetrated  the  intervening  wilds,  and  pitched 
their  tents  near  the  French  Lick,  and  planted  a field  of  corn 
where  the  city  of  Nashville  now  stands.  This  field  was  at 
the  spot  where  Joseph  Park  since  resided,  and  near  the  lower 
ferry.  These  pioneers  were  Captain  James  Robertson,  George 
Freeland,  William  Neely,  Edward  Swanson,  James  Hanly, 
Mark  Robertson,  Zachariah  White,  and  William  Overhall. 
A negro  fellow  also  accompanied  them.  To  their  number 
was  added,  immediately  after  their  arrival  at  the  Lick,  a 
number  of  others  conducted  by  Mansco,  who  had  ten  years 
before  visited,  and  explored,  and  hunted  in  the  country. 
These  emigrants  also  planted  corn  preparatory  to  the  remo- 
val of  their  families  in  the  succeeding  autumn.  Captain 
Robertson,  during  the  summer,  went  to  the  Illinois  to  pur- 
chase the  cabin  rights  from  General  Clarke.  After  the  crop 
was  made,  Overhall,  White  and  Swanson,  were  left  to  keep 
the  buffaloes  out  of  the  unenclosed  fields  of  corn,  while  the 
rest  of  the  party  returned  for  their  families. 

Mansco,  Frazier,  and  other  early  hunters  and  explorers, 
upon  their  previous  return  to  the  older  settlements,  had  diffused 
an  account  of  the  fertility  of  the  Cumberland  lands,  the 


eobertson’s  second  colony. 


195 


abundance  of  game  and  the  salubrity  of  the  climate.  This 
account  was  now  confirmed  and  extended,  by  the  experi- 
ment that  had  been  made  by  the  parties  under  Robertson 
and  Mansco,  in  planting  and  raising  a crop.  Cumberland 
became  the  theme  of  eager  conversation  in  every  neighbour- 
hood, and  great  numbers  prepared  to  emigrate  to  this  land 
of  future  plenty  and  of  promise.  Under  the  lead  of  Mansco, 
several  families  removed  and  settled  at  Mansco’s  Lick,  Bled- 
soe’s Lick,  and  other  places.  John  Rains  and  others,  in  Oc- 
tober of  this  year,  leaving  New  River,  on  their  way  to  Ken- 
tucky, were  persuaded  by  Captain  Robertson  to  accompany 
him  to  the  French  Lick.  Assenting  to  this  proposal,  they 
were  soon  joined  by  several  other  companies  of  emigrants — 
the  whole  amounting  to  two  or  three  hundred,  many  of  them 
young  men  without  families — some  of  them  took  out  cattle 
and  other  domestic  animals.  The  route  pursued  was  by 
Cumberland  Gap,  and  the  Kentucky  trace  to  Whitley’s  Sta- 
tion, on  Dick’s  River ; thence  to  Carpenter’s  Station,  on  the 
waters  of  Green  River;  thence  to  Robertson’s  Fork,  on  the 
north  side  of  that  stream  ; thence  down  the  river  to  Pit- 
man’s Station  ; thence  crossing  and  descending  that  river  to 
Little  Barren,  crossing  it  at  the  Elk  Lick  ; thence  passing 
the  Blue  Spring  and  the  Dripping  Spring  to  Big  Barren ; 
thence  up  Drake’s  Creek  to  a bituminous  spring ; thence  to 
the  Maple  Swamp  ; thence  to  Red  River,  at  Kilgore’s  Sta- 
tion ; thence  to  Mansco’s  Creek ; and  from  there  to  the 
French  Lick. 

The  inclemency  of  the  season,  the  great  number  of  the 
emigrants,  the  delay  inseparable  from  travelling  over  a new 
route,  part  of  it  mountainous,  all  of  it  through  a wilderness, 
without  roads,  bridges  or  ferries,  prevented  the  arrival  of  the 
Cumberland  colonists  at  their  point  of  destination  till  the 
beginning  of  the  year  1780.  The  winter  had  been  intensely 
cold,  and  has  always  been  remembered  and  referred  to  as 
the  cold  winter  by  all  countries  in  the  northern  hemisphere, 
between  the  thirty-fifth  and  seventieth  degrees  of  latitude, 
and  is  decisive  of  the  chronology  that  fixes  the  arrival  of  these 
emigrants  in  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty.*  The  Cumber- 

* Haywood. 


196  FORTS  AND  BLOCK-HOUSES  ERECTED  NEAR  THE  BLUFF. 


1780  ( land  was  found  frozen  over.  Snow  had  fallen  early 
l in  November,  and  it  continued  to  freeze  for  many 
weeks  after  the  emigrants  reached  the  bluff.  Some  of 
them  settled  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  at  Eaton’s  Station, 
where  Page  afterwards  resided.  These  annals  would  be  im- 
perfect without  their  names.  Some  of  them  are  given  from 
Haywood.  They  are  Frederick  Stump,  Senr.,  Amos  Eaton, 
Hayden  Wells,  Isaac  Roundsever,  William  Loggins,  and  — 
Winters.  The  names  of  others  are  not  recollected.  Here 
they  built  cabins,  cleared  ground  and  planted  corn.  The 
cabins  were  built  with  stockades  from  one  to  the  other,  with 
port  holes  and  bastions.  But  most  of  the  company  crossed 
immediately  after  their  arrival,  over  the  river  upon  the  ice, 
and  settled  at  the  Bluff  where  Nashville  now  stands.  They 
were  admonished  by  the  existing  condition  of  things  in  Ken- 
tucky on  one  side,  and  the  hostilities  many  of  them  had  wit- 
nessed from  the  Cherokees  on  the  other,  that  their  settlement 
could  not  long  escape  the  aggression  of  the  savages  around 
them.  They  prudently  erected  block-houses  in  lines — the 
intervals  between  which  were  stockaded — two  lines  were 
built  parallel  to  each  other,  and  so  were  other  two  lines,  the 
whole  forming  a square  within.  Freeland’s  Station,  where 
McGavock  since  resided,  was  at  this  time  also  erected.  Here 
were  also  block-houses  and  stockades.  Mr.  Rains  settled 
the  place  since  known  as  Deaderick’s  plantation.  Among 
the  emigrants  that  built  their  cabins  at  the  bluff,  were  some 
from  South-Carolina.  These  were  John  Buchanan,  Alexan- 
der Buchanan,  Daniel  Williams,  John  Mulherrin,  James 
Mulherrin,  Sampson  Williams,  Thomas  Thompson,  besides 
others  whose  names  are  not  given. 

While  Robertson  and  his  co-emigrants  were  thus  reaching 

( Cumberland  by  the  circuitous  and  dangerous  trace 
1779  ] J 

l through  the  wilderness  of  Kentucky,  others  of  their 
countrymen  were  undergoing  greater  hardships,  enduring 
greater  sufferings,  and  experiencing  greater  privations  upon 
another  route,  not  less  circuitous  and  far  more  perilous,  in 
aiming  at  the  same  destination.  Soon  after  the  former  had 
left  the  Holston  settlements,  on  their  march  by  land,  several 


JOURNAL  OP  THE  ADVENTURE. 


197 


5J 


boats  loaded  with  emigrants  and  their  property  left  Fort 
Patrick  Henry,  near  Long  Island,  on  a voyage  down  the 
Holston  and  Tennessee,  and  up  the  Ohio  and  Cumberland. 
The  journal  of  one  of  them,  “The  Adventure,”  has  been 
preserved.*  • It  was  kept  by  Col.  John  Donelson,  the  projec- 
tor of  the  enterprise.  His  grandson,  Captain  Stockley  Do- 
nelson, who  resides  near  “ the  Hermitage,”  in  Davidson 
county,  has  the  original  journal  still  in  possession.  The  de- 
tails of  so  new  and  remarkable  an  adventure  by  water,  are 
full  of  interest,  and  the  journal  is,  therefore,  given  entire. 

Journal  op  a voyage,  intended  by  God’s  permission,  in  the  good 
boat  Adventure,  from  Fort  Patrick  Henry  on  Holston  River,  to  the 
French  Salt  Springs  on  Cumberland  River,  kept  by  John  Donaldson. 

December  22,  1779. — Took  our  departure  from  the  fort  and  fell  down 
the  river  to  the  mouth  of  Reedy  Creek,  where  we  were  stopped  by  the 
fall  of  water,  and  most  excessive  hard  frost ; and  after  much  delay  and 
many  difficulties  we  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  Cloud’s  Creek,  on  Sunday 
evening,  the  20thFebuary,  1780,  where  we  lay  by  until  Sunday,  27th, 
when  we  took  our  departure  with  sundry  other  vessels  bound  for  the 
same  voyage,  and  on  the  same  day  struck  the  Poor  Valley  Shoal, 
together  with  Mr.  Boyd  and  Mr.  Rounsifer,  on  which  shoal  we  lay  that 
afternoon  and  succeeding  night  in  much  distress. 

Monday,  February  28 th,  1780.— In  the  morning  the  water  rising, 
we  got  off  the  shoal,  after  landing  thirty  persons  to  lighten  our  boat. 
In  attempting  to  land  on  an  island,  received  some  damage  ana  lost  sun- 
dry articles,  and  came  to  camp  on  the  south  shore,  where  we  joined 
sundry  other  vessels  also  bound  down. 

Tuesday,  29 th. — Proceeded  down  the  river  and  camped  on  the  north 
shore,  the  afternoon  and  following  day  proving  rainy. 

Wednesday , March  1st. — Proceeded  on  and  camped  on  the  south 
shore,  nothing  happening  that  day  remarkable. 

March  2d. — Rain  about  half  the  day;  passed  the  mouth  of  French 
Broad  River,  and  about  12  o’clock,  Mr.  Henry’s  boat  being  driven  on  the 
point  of  an  islandf  by  the  force  of  the  current  was  sunk,  the  whole  cargo 
much  damaged  and  the  crew’s  lives  much  endangered,  which  occasioned 
the  whole  fleet  to  put  on  shore  and  go  to  their  assistance,  but  with  much 
difficulty  bailed  her,  in  order  to  take  in  her  cargo  again.  The  same 
afternoon  Reuben  Harrison  went  out  a hunting  and  did  not  return  that 
night,  though  many  guns  were  fired  to  fetch  him  in. 

Friday , 3d. — Early  in  the  morning  fired  a four-pounder  for  the  lost  man, 
sent  out  sundry  persons  to  search  the  woods  for  him,  firing  many  guns  that 


* For  a copy  of  it  this  writer  is  indebted  to  the  politeness  of  L.  C.  Draper,  Esq. 
t Probably  William’s  Island,  two  miles  above  Knoxville. 


198 


adventure”  joins  clinch  river  company. 

day  and  the  succeeding  night,  but  all  without  success,  to  the  great  grief 
of  his  parents  and  fellow  travellers. 

Saturday , 4 th. — Proceeded  on  our  voyage,  leaving  old  Mr.  Harrison 
with  some  other  vessels  to  make  further  search  for  his  lost  son  ; about 
ten  o’clock  the  same  day  found  him  a considerable  distance  down  the 
river,  where  Mr.  Ben.  Belew  took  him  on  board  his  boqt.  At  3 o’clock, 
P.  M.,  passed  the  mouth  of  Tennessee  River,  and  camped  on  the  south 
shore  about  ten’  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Tennessee. 

Sunday , 5 th. — Cast  off  and  got  under  way  before  sunrise ; 12  o’clock 
passed  the  mouth  of  Clinch  ; at  12  o’clock,  M.  came  up  with  the  Clinch 
River  Company,  whom  we  joined  and  camped,  the  evening  proving 
rainy. 

Monday,  6th. — Got  under  way  before  sunrise;  the  morning  proving 
very  foggy,  many  of  the  fleet  were  much  bogged — about  10  o’clock  lay 
by  for  them  ; when  collected,  proceeded  down.  Camped  on  the  north 
shore,  where  Capt.  Hutching’s  negro  man  died,  being  much  frosted  in 
his  feet  and  legs,  of  which  he  died. 

Tuesday,  1th. — Got  under  way  very  early,  the  day  proving  very 
windy,  a S.S.W.,  and  the  river  being  wide  occasioned  a high  sea, 
insomuch  that  some  of  the  smaller  crafts  were  in  danger;  therefore  came 
to,  at  the  uppermost  Chiccamauga  Town,  which  was  then  evacuated, 
where  we  lay  by  that  afternoon  and  camped  that  night.  The  wife  of 
Ephraim  Peyton  was  here  delivered  of  a child.  Mr.  Peyton  has  gone 
through  by  land  with  Capt.  Robertson. 

Wednesday,  8th. — Cast  off  at  10  o’clock,  and  proceed  down  to  an 
Indian  village,  which  was  inhabited,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  ; they 
insisted  on  us  to  “ come  ashore,”  called  us  brothers,  and  showed  other 
signs  of  friendship,  insomuch  that  Mr.  John  Caffrey  and  my  son  then  on 
board  took  a canoe  which  I had  in  tow,  and  were  crossing  over  to  them, 
the  rest  of  the  fleet  having  landed  on  the  opposite  shore.  After  they 
had  gone  some  distance,  a half-breed,  who  called  himself  Archy  Coody, 
with  several  other  Indians,  jumped  into  a canoe,  met  them,  and  advised 
them  to  return  to  the  boat,  which  they  did,  together  with  Coody  and 
several  canoes  which  left  the  shore  and  followed  directly  after  him. 
They  appeared  to  be  friendly.  After  distributing  some  presents  among 
them,  with  which  they  seemed  much  pleased,  we  observed  a num- 
ber of  Indians  on  the  other  side  embarking  in  their  canoes,  armed  and 
painted  with  red  and  black.  Coody  immediately  made  signs  to  his  com- 
panions, ordering  them  to  quit  the  boat,  which  they  did,  himself  and 
another  Indian  remaining  with  us  and  telling  us  to  move  off  instantly. 
We  had  not  gone  far  before  we  discovered  a number  of  Indians  armed 
and  painted  proceeding  down  the  river,  as  it  were,  to  intercept  us. 
Coody,  the  half-breed,  and  his  companion,  sailed  with  us  for  some  time, 
and  telling  us  that  we  had  passed  all  the  towns  and  were  out  of  danger, 
left  us.  But  we  had  not  gone  far  until  we  had  come  in  sight  of  another 
town,  situated  likewise  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  nearly  opposite  a 
small  island.  Here  they  again  invited  us  to  come  on  shore,  called  us 
brothers,  and  observing  the  boats  standing  off  for  the  opposite  channel, 
told  us  that  “ their  side  of  the  river  was  better  for  boats  to  pass.”  And 


199 


PASSES  THE  “ NARROWS” FIRED  UPON  BY  INDIANS. 

here  we  must  regret  the  unfortunate  death  of  young  Mr.  Payne,  on 
board  Capt.  Blackemore’s  boat,  who  was  mortally  wounded  by  reason  of 
the  boat  running  too  near  the  northern  shore  opposite  the  town,  where 
some  of  the  enemy  lay  concealed,  and  the  more  tragical  misfortune  of 
poor  Stuart,  his  family  and  friends  to  the  number  of  twenty-eight  per- 
sons. This  man  had  embarked  with  us  for  the  Western  country,  but 
his  family  being  diseased  with  the  small  pox,  it  was  agreed  upon  be- 
tween him  and  the  company  that  he  should  keep  at  some  distance  in 
the  rear,  for  fear  of  the  infection  spreading,  and  he  was  warned  each 
night  when  the  encampment  should  take  place  by  the  sound  of  a horn. 
After  we  had  passed  the  town,  the  Indians  having  now  collected  to  a 
considerable  number,  observing  his  helpless  situation,  singled  off  from 
the  rest  of  the  fleet,  intercepted  him  and  killed  and  took  prisoners  the 
whole  crew,  to  the  great  grief  of  the  whole  company,  uncertain  how 
soon  they  might  share  the  same  fate ; their  cries  were  distinctly  heard 
by  those  boats  in  the  rear. 

We  still  perceived  them  marching  down  the  river  in  considerable 
bodies,  keeping  pace  with  us  until  the  Cumberland  Mountain  withdrew 
them  from  our  sight,  when  we  were  in  hopes  we  had  escaped  them. 
We  were  now  arrived  at  the  place  called  the  Whirl  or  Suck,  where  the 
river  is  compressed  within  less  than  half  its  common  width  above,  by 
the  Cumberland  Mountain,  which  juts  in  on  both  sides.  In  passing 
through  the  upper  part  of  these  narrows,  at  a place  described  by  Coody, 
which  he  termed  the  “ boiling  pot,”  a trivial  accident  had  nearly  ruined 
the  expedition.  One  of  the  company,  John  Cotton,  who  was  moving 
down  in  a large  canoe,  had  attached  it  to  Robert  Cartwright’s  boat,  into 
which  he  and  his  family  had  gone  for  safety.  The  canoe  was  here  over- 
turned, and  the  little  cargo  lost.  The  company  pitying  his  distress, 
concluded  to  halt  and  assist  him  in  recovering  his  property.  They  had 
landed  on  the  northern  shore  at  a level  spot,  and  were  going  up  to  the 
place,  when  the  Indians,  to  our  astonishment,  appeared  immediately  over 
ns  on  the  opposite  cliffs,  and  commenced  firing  down  upon  us,  which 
occasioned  a precipitate  retreat  to  the  boats.  We  immediately  moved 
off,  the  Indians  lining  the  bluffs  along  continued  their  fire  from  the 
heights  on  our  boats  below,  without  doing  aDy  other  injury  than  wound- 
ing four  slightly.  Jennings’s  boat  is  missing. 

We  have  now  passed  through  the  Whirl.  The  river  widens  with  a 
placid  and  gentle  current ; and  all  the  company  appear  to  be  in  safety 
except  the  family  of  Jonathan  Jennings,  whose  boat  ran  on  a large  rock, 
projecting  out  from  the  northern  shore,  and  partly  immdrsed  in  water 
immediately  at  the  Whirl,  where  we  were  compelled  to  leave  them, 
perhaps  to  be  slaughtered  by  their  merciless  enemies.  Continued  to  sail 
on  that  day  and  floated  throughout  the  following  night. 

Thursday , 9 th. — Proceeded  on  our  journey,  nothing  happening  wor- 
thy attention  to-day ; floated  till  about  midnight,  and  encamped  on  the 
northern  shore. 

Friday,  10 th. — This  morning  about  4 o’clock  we  were  surprised  by  the 
cries  of  “ help  poor  Jennings,”  at  some  distance  in  the  rear.  He  had  dis- 
covered us  by  our  fires,  and  came  up  in  the  most  wretched  condition.  He 
states,  that  as  soon  as  the  Indians  discovered  his  situation  they  turned 


200 


INTREPIDITY  OF  MRS.  JENNINGS’. 


their  whole  attention  to  him,  and  kept  up  a most  galling  fire  at  his  boat. 
He  ordered  his  wife,  a son  nearly  grown,  a young  man  who  accompa- 
nied them,  and  his  negro  man  and  woman,  to  throw  all  his  goods  into 
the  river,  to  lighten  their  boat  for  the  purpose  of  getting  her  off,  himself 
returning  their  fire  as  well  as  he  could,  being  a good  soldier  and  an  ex- 
cellent marksman.  But  before  they  had  accomplished  their  object,  his 
son,,  the  young  man  and  the  negro,  jumped  out  of  the  boat  and  left  them. 
He  thinks  the  young  man  and  the  negro  were  wounded  before  they  left 
the  boat.*  Mrs.  Jennings,  however,  and  the  negro  woman,  succeeded  in 
unloading  the  boat,  but  chiefly  by  the  exertions  of  Mrs.  Jennings,  who 
got  out  of  the  boat  and  shoved  her  off,  but  was  near  falling  a victim  to 
her  own  intrepidity  on  account  of  the  boat  starting  so  suddenly  as  soon 
as  loosened  from  the  rock.  Upon  examination,  he  appears  to  have  made 
a wonderful  escape,  for  his  boat  is  pierced  in  numberless  places  with  bul- 
lets. It  is  to  be  remarked,  that  Mrs.  Peyton,  who  was  the  night  before 
delivered  of  an  infant,  which  was  unfortunately  killed  upon  the  hurry 
and  confusion  consequent  upon  such  a disaster,  assisted  them,  being  fre- 
quently exposed  to  wet  and  cold  then  and  afterwards,  and  that  her  health 
appears  to  be  good  at  this  time,  and  I think  and  hope  she  will  do  well. 
Their  clothes  were  very  much  cut  with  bullets,  especially  Mrs.  Jennings’s. 

Saturday , 1 1 th. — Got  under  way  after  having  distributed  the  family 
of  Mrs.  Jennings  in  the  other  boats.  Rowed  on  quietly  that  day,  and 
encamped  for  the  night  on  the  north  shore. 

Sunday , 12 tli. — Set  out,  and  after  a few  hour’s  sailing  we  heard  the 
crowing  of  cocks,  and  soon  came  within  view  of  the  town  ; here  they 
fired  on  us  again  without  doing  any  injury. 

After  running  until  about  10  o’clock,  came  in  sight  of  the  Muscle  Shoals. 
Halted  on  the  northern  shore  at  the  appearance  of  the  shoals,  in  order 
to  search  for  the  signs  Capt.  James  Robertson  was  to  make  for  us  at  that 
place.  He  set  out  from  Holston  early  in  the  fall  of  1 V T9,  was  to  pro- 
ceed by  the  way  of  Kentucky  to  the  Big  Salt  Lick  on  Cumberland  River, 
with  several  others  in  company,  was  to  come  across  from  the  Big  Salt 
Lick  to  the  upper  end  of  the  shoals,  there  to  make  such  signs  that  we 
might  know  he  had  been  there,  and  that  it  was  practicable  for  us  to  go 
across  by  land.  But  to  our  great  mortification  we  can  find  none — from 
which  we  conclude  that  it  would  not  be  prudent  to  make  .the  attempt,, 
and  are  determined,  knowing  ourselves  to  be  in  such  imminent  danger, 
to  pursue  our  journey  down  the  river.  After  trimming  our  boats  in  the 
best  manner  possible,  we  ran  through  the  shoals  before  night.  When 
we  approached  them  they  had  a dreadful  appearance  to  those  who  had 
never  seen  them  before.  The  water  being  high  made  a terrible  roaring, 

* The  negro  was  drowned.  The  son  and  the  youDg  man  swam  to  the  north 
side  of  the  river,  where  they  found  and  embarked  in  a canoe  and  floated  down  the 
river.  The  next  day  they  were  met  by  five  canoes  full  of  Indians,  who  took  them 
prisoners  and  carried  them  to  Chickamauga,  where  they  killed  and  burned  the 
young  man.  They  knocked  Jennings  down  and  were  about  to  kill  him,  but  were 
prevented  by  the  friendly  mediation  of  Rogers,  an  Indian  trader,  who  ransomed 
him  with  goods.  Rogers  had  been  taken  prisoner  by  Sevier  a short  time  before, 
and  had  been  released  ; and  that  good  office  he  requited  by  the  ransom  of  Jen- 
nings. 


ATTACK  ON  THE  FLEET  BELOW  THE  SHOALS. 


201 


which  could  be  heard  at  some  distance  among  the  drift-wood  heaped 
frightfully  upon  the  points  of  the  islands,  the  current  running  in  every 
possible  direction.  Here  we  did  not  know  how  soon  we  should  be  dashed 
to  pieces,  and  all  our  troubles  ended  at  once.  Our  boats  frequently 
dragged  on  the  bottom,  and  appeared  constantly  in  danger  of  striking. 
They  warped  as  much  as  in  a rough  sea.  But  by  the  hand  of  Provi- 
dence we  are  now  preserved  from  this  danger  also.  I know  not  the  length 
of  this  wonderful  shoal;  it  had  been  represented  to  me  to  be  25  or  30 
miles.  If  so,  we  must  have  descended  very  rapidly,  as  indeed  we  did, 
for  we  passed  it  in  about  three  hours.  Came  to,  and  camped  on  the 
northern  shore,  not  far  below  the  shoals,  for  the  night. 

Monday , 1 3 th. — Got  under  way  early  in  the  morning,  and  made  a 
good  run  that  day. 

Tuesday , 1 1th. — Set  out  early.  On  this  day  two  boats  approaching 
too  near  the  shore,  were  fired  on  by  the  Indians.  Five  of  the  crews  were 
wounded,  but  not  dangerously.  Came  to  camp  at  night  near  the  mouth 
of  a creek.  After  kindling  fires  and  preparing  for  rest,  the  company 
were  alarmed,  on  account  of  the  incessant  barking  our  dogs  kept  up  ; 
taking  it  for  granted  that  the  Indians  were  attempting  to  surprise  us, 
we  retreated  precipitately  to  the  boats ; fell  down  the  river  about  a 
mile  and  encamped  on  the  other  shore.  In  the  morning  I prevailed  on 
Mr.  Caffrey  and  my  son  to  cross  below  in  a canoe,  and  return  to  the 
place  ; which  they  did,  and  found  an  African  negro  we  had  left  in  the 
hurry,  asleep  by  one  of  the  fires.  The  voyagers  returned  and  collected 
their  utensils  which  had  been  left. 

Wednesday , 15  th. — Got  under  way  and  moved  on  peaceably  the  five 
following  days,  when  we  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  Tennessee  on  Mon- 
day, the  20th,  and  landed  on  the  lower  point  immediately  on  the  bank  of 
the  Ohio.  Our  situation  here  is  truly  disagreeable.  The  river  is  very  high, 
and  the  current  rapid,  our  boats  not  constructed  for  the  purpose  of  stem- 
• ming  a rapid  stream,  our  provision  exhausted,  the  crews  almost  worn 
down  with  hunger  and  fatigue,  and  know  not  what  distance  we  have  to 
go,  or  what  time  it  will  take  us  to  our  place  of  destination.  The  scene 
is  rendered  still  more  melancholy,  as  several  boats  will  not  attempt  to 
ascend  the  rapid  current.  Some  intend  to  descend  the  Mississippi  to 
Natchez  ; others  are  bound  for  the  Illinois — among  the  rest  my  son-in- 
law  and  daughter.  We  now  part,  perhaps  to  meet  no  more,  for  I am 
determined  to  pursue  my  course,  happen  what  will. 

Tuesday , 21st. — Set  out,  and  on  this  day  laboured  very  hard  and 
got  but  a little  way ; camped  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Ohio.  Passed  the 
two  following  days  as  the  former,  suffering  much  from  hunger  and  fa- 
tigue. 

Friday , 21th. — About  3 o’clock  came  to  the  mouth  of  a river  which  I 
thought  was  the  Cumberland.  Some  of  the  company  declared  it  could 
not  be — it  was  so  much  smaller  than  was  expected.  But  I never  heard 
of  any  river  running  in  between  the  Cumberland  and  Tennessee.  It 
appeared  to  flow  with  a gentle  current.  We  determined,  however,  to 
make  the  trial,  pushed  ujr  some  distance  and  encamped  for  the  night. 

Saturday,  25th. — To-day  we  are  much  encouraged;  the  river  grows 
wider ; the  current  is  very  gentle,  and  we  are  now  convinced  it  is  the 


202 


HAPPY  MEETING  OP  THE  VOYAGERS 


Cumberland.  I have  derived  great  assistance  from  a small  square  sail 
which  was  fixed  up  on  the  day  we  left  the  mouth  of  the  river;  and  to 
prevent  any  ill-effects  from  sudden  flaws  of  wind,  a man  was  stationed 
at  each  of  the  lower  corners  of  the  sheet  with,  directions  to  give  way 
whenever  it  was  necessary. 

Sunday,  26th. — Got  under  way  early;  procured  some  buffalo-meat ; 
though  poor  it  was  palatable. 

Monday,  27 th. — Set  out  again;  killed  a swan,  which  was  very  deli- 
cious. 

Tuesday , 28 th. — Set  out  very  early  this  morning ; killed  some  buffalo. 

Wednesday,  29 th. — Proceeded  up  the  river  ; gathered  some  herbs  on 
the  bottoms  of  Cumberland,  which  some  of  the  company  called  Shawnee 
salad. 

Thursday,  30  th. — Proceeded  on  our  voyage.  This  day  we  killed 
some  more  buffalo. 

Friday , 31sf. — Set  out  this  day,  and  after  running  some  distance,  met 
with  Col.  Richard  Henderson,  who  was  running  the  line  between  Virgi- 
nia and  North-Carolina.  At  this  meeting  we  were  much  rejoiced.  He  gave 
us  every  information  we  wished,  and  further  informed  us  that  he  had 
purchased  a quantity  of  corn  in  Kentucky,  to  be  shipped  at  the  Falls  of 
Ohio  for  the  use  of  the  Cumberland  settlement.  We  are  now  without 
bread,  and  are  compelled  to  hunt  the  buffalo  to  preserve  life.  Worn  out 
with  fatigue,  our  progress  at  present  is  slow.  Camped  at  night  near  the 
mouth  of  a little  river,  at  which  place  and  below  there  is  a handsome 
bottom  of  rich  land.  Here  we  found  a pair  of  hand-mill  stones  set  up 
for  grinding,  but  appeared  not  to  have  been  used  for  a great  length  of 
time. 

Proceeded  on  quietly  until  the  12th  of  April,  at  which  time  we  came 
to  the  mouth  of  a little  river  running  in  on  the  north  side,  by  Moses  Ren- 
foe  and  his  company  called  Red  River,  up  which  they  intend  to  settle. 
Here  they  took  leave  of  us.  We  proceeded  up  Cumberland,  nothing 
happening  material  until  the  23d,  when  we  reached  the  first  settlement 
on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  one  mile  and  a half  below  the  Big  Salt 
Lick  and  called  Eaton’s  Station,  after  a man  of  that  name,  who  with 
several  other  families,  came  through  Kentucky  and  settled  there. 

Monday,  April  24 th. — This  day  we  arrived  at  our  journey’s  end  at 
the  Big  Salt  Lick,  where  we  have  the  pleasure  of  finding  Capt.  Robert- 
son and  his  company.  It  is  a source  of  satisfaction  to  us  to  be  enabled 
to  restore  to  him  and  others  their  families  and  friends,  who  were  entrusted 
to  our  care,  and  who,  sometime  since,  perhaps,  despaired  of  ever  meeting 
again.  Though  our  prospects  at  present  are  dreary,  we  have  found  a few 
log  cabins  which  have  been  built  on  a cedar  bluff  above  the  Lick,  by  Capt. 
Robertson  and  his  company. 

The  distance  traversed  in  this  inland  voyage,  the  extreme 

q ^ danger  from  the  navigation  of  the  rapid  and  unknown 
l rivers,  and  the  hostile  attacks  from  the  savages  upon 
their  banks,  mark  the  emigration  under  Col.  Donelson  as  one 
of  the  greatest  achievements  in  the  settlement  of  the  West. 


WITH  THE  COLONISTS  AT  THE  BLUFF. 


203 


The  names  of  these  adventurous  navigators  and  bold  pio- 
neers of  the  Cumberland  country  are  not,  all  of  them,  recol- 
lected ; some  of  them  follow:  Mrs.  Robertson,  the  wife  of 

James  Robertson,  Col.  Donelson,  John  Donelson,  Jun.,  Robert 
Cartwright,  Benjamin  Porter,  James  Cain,  Isaac  Neely,  John 
Cotton,  Mr.  Rounsever,  Jonathan  Jennings,  William  Crutch- 
field, Moses  Renfroe,  Joseph  Renfroe,  James  Renfroe,  Solo- 
mon Turpin,  Johns,  Sen.,  Francis  Armstrong,  Isaac 

Lanier,  Daniel  Dunham,  John  Boyd,  John  Montgomery,  John 
Cockrill  and  John  Caffrey,  with  their  respective  families  ; 
also,  Mary  Henry,  a widow,  and  her  family,  Mary  Purnell 
and  her  family,  John  Blackmore  and  John  Gibson. 

These,  with  the  emigrants  already  mentioned  as  having 
arrived  with  Robertson  by  the  way  of  the  Kentucky  trace, 
and  the  few  that  had  remained  at  the  Bluff  to  take  care  of 
the  growing  crops,  constituted  the  nucleus  of  the  Cumber- 
land community  in  1780.  Some  of  them  plunged,  at  once, 
into  the  adjoining  forests,  and  built  a cabin  with  its  necessary 
defences.  Col.  Donelson,  himself,  with  his  connexions,  was 
of  this  number.  He  went  up  the  Cumberland  and  settled 
upon  Stone’s  River,  a confluent  of  that  stream,  at  a place 
since  called  Clover  Bottom,  where  he  erected  a small  fort 
on  its  south  side.  The  situation  wras  found  to  be  too  low, 
as  the  water,  during  a freshet,  surrounded  the  fort,  and  it 
was,  for  that  reason,  removed  to  the  north  side. 

Dr.  Walker,  the  Commissioner  on  the  part  of  Virginia, 
for  running  the  boundary  line  between  that  state  and  North- 
Carolina,  arrived  at  the  Bluff.  He  was  accompanied  by 
Col.  Richard  Henderson  and  his  two  brothers,  Nathaniel  and 
Pleasant.  Col.  Henderson  erected  a station  also,  on  Stone’s 
River,  and  remained  there  some  time,  selling  lands  under 
the  deed  made  to  himself  and  partners  by  the  Cherokees,  at 
Watauga,  in  March,  1775,  as  has  been  already  mentioned. 
He  sold  one  thousand  acres  per  head  at  ten  dollars  per  thou- 
sand. His  certificate  entitled  the  holder,  at  a future  time, 
to  further  proceedings  in  a land  office.*  The  purchase  of 
• Transylvania  in  America,”  as  made  by  Henderson  and  his 
associates,  without  any  authority  from  the  states  of  North- 


* Haywood. 


204 


EXTREME  DEARTH  ON  THE  FRONTIER. 


Carolina  and  Vii'gi'nia,  was,  in  itself,  null  and  void,  so  far  as 
it  claimed  to  vest  the  title  of  lands  in  those  individuals.  The 
associates  could  be  recognized  only  as  private  citizens, 
having  no  right  to  make  treaties  with  or  purchase  lands 
from  the  Indians.  This  treaty  was,  however,  considered  as 
an  extinguishment  of  the  Indian  title  to  the  lands  embraced 
within  the  boundaries  mentioned  in  it.  The  legislatures  of 
the  two  states,  for  this  reason,  and  as  a remuneration  for  the 
expenditures  previous  and  subsequent  to  the  treaty  of  Wa- 
tauga, allowed,  to  the  Transylvania  Company,  a grant  of 
two  hundred  thousand  acres  from  each  state. 

One  of  the  great  sources  of  Indian  invasion  and  of  hostile 
instigation,  had  been  broken  up  by  the  capture  of  the  British 
posts  on  the  Wabash  and  in  the  Illinois  country,  and  the 
captivity  of  Colonel  Hamilton,  who  was  now  a prisoner  at 
Williamsburg.  Many  of  the  western  tribes  had  entered  into 
treaties  of  peace  and  friendship  with  Col.  Clarke,  which 
presaged  a temporary  quietude  to  the  frontier  people.  The 
repeated  chastisements  of  the  Cherokees  by  the  troops  under 
Sevier  and  Shelby,  seemed,  for  a time,  to  secure  the  friend- 
ship of  that  nation.  The  news  of  this  condition  of  western 
affairs  gave  a new  impulse  to  emigration,  and  the  roads  and 
traces  to  Kentucky  and  Cumberland  were  crowded  with 
hardy  adventurers,  seeking  home  and  fortune  in  their  distant 
wilds.  This  rapid  increase  of  population  exhausted  the 
limited  supply  of  food  in  the  country,  and  a dearth  ensued. 
Corn,  and  every  other  article  of  family  consumption,  became 
remarkably  scarce.  The  winter  had  been  long  and  exceed- 
ingly cold.  The  cattle  and  hogs  designed  for  the  use  of  the 
emigrants  in  their  new  settlements,  had  perished  from  star- 
vation and  the  inclemency  of  the  season.  The  game  in  the 
woods  was,  from  like  causes,  poor  and  sickly,  and,  though 
easily  found  and  taken,  was  unfit  for  food.  This  scarcity 
prevailed  throughout  the  whole  frontier  line  for  five  hundred 
miles,  and  was  aggravated  by  the  circumstance  that  no 
source  of  supply  was  within  the  reach  of  the  suffering  peo- 
ple. In  the  neighbouring  settlements  of  Kentucky,  corn 
was  worth,  in  March,  of  1780,  one  hundred  and  sixty-five 
dollars  a bushel,  in  continental  money,  which  price  it  main- 


\ 


EXPOSED  CONDITION  OF  THE  COLONY. 


205 


tained  until  the  opening  spring  supplied  other  means  of 
sustenance.* 

Such  were  the  circumstances  ruhder  which  the  pioneers  of 
the  Lower  Cumberland  formed  the  first  permanent  white 
settlement  in  Middle  Tennessee.  Their  position  was  that  of 
hardship  and  danger,  toil  and  suffering.  As  has  been  well  said 
by  anotherf  in  reference  to  Kentucky  : they  were  posted  in 
the  heart  of  the  most  favourite  hunting  ground  of  numerous 
and  hostile  tribes  of  Indians  on  the  north  and  on  the  south  ; 
a ground  endeared  to  them  by  its  profusion  of  the  finest 
game,  subsisting  on  the  luxuriant  vegetation  of  this  great 
natural  park.  It  was,  emphatically,  the  Eden  of  the  Red 
Man.  Was  it  then  wonderful,  that  all  his  fiercest  passions 
and  wildest  energies,  should  be  aroused  in  its  defence,  against 
an  enemy,  whose  success  was  the  Indian’s  downfall  ? 

The  little  band  of  emigrants  at  the  Bluff  were  in  the  centre 
of  a vast  wilderness,  e’qui-distant  from  the  most  war-like  and 
ferocious  tribes  on  this  continent — tribes  that  had  frequently 
wasted  the  frontiers  of  Carolina,  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania, 
with  the  tomahawk  and  with  fire,  and  that  were  now  aided, 
in  the  unnatural  alliance  of  Great  Britain,  by  the  arts  and 
treasures  furnished  by  the  agents  of  that  government.  To 
attack  and  invasion  from  these  tribes,  the  geographical  po- 
sition of  the  Cumberland  settlers  gave  a peculiar  exposure 
and  a special  liability.  Three  hundred  miles  of  wilderness 
separated  them  from  the  nearest  fort  of  their  countrymen  on 
Holston.  They  were,  perhaps,  double  that  distance  from 
their  seat  of  government  in  North-Carolina,  while  all  the 
energies  of  the  parent  state  were  employed  in  the  tremendous 
struggle  for  Independence,  in  the  cause  of  which  she  had  so 
early  and  so  heartily  engaged.  This  forlorn  situation  of  the 
settlement  at  the  Bluff  became  more  perilous,  as  it  was  so 
accessible  by  water  from  the  distant  hostile  tribes.  De- 
scending navigation  could  bring,  with  great  rapidity,  the 
fleets  of  canoes  and  perogues,  from  the  Ohio  and  its  western 
tributaries,  loaded  with  the  armed  warriors  of  that  region ; 
while  upon  the  Tennessee  River,  with  equal  celerity,  the 
Cherokee  and  Creek  braves  could  precipitate  themselves  to 
* Monette.  f Butler. 


206 


PERMANENT  SETTLEMENT  AT  THE  BLUFF. 


the  different  landings  on  that  stream,  and  co-operating  with 
their  confederates  from  the  north,  unite  in  one  general  stroke 
of  devastation  and  havoc.  Had  this  been  dene  at  the  period 
of  the  first  emigration,  the  Bluff  settlement  could  have  been 
annihilated.  Happily,  the  protracted  and  inclement  winter 
that  inflicted  its  inhospitable  severity  and  such  great  hard- 
ships upon  the  first  emigrants,  protected  them  from  attack, 
by  confining  their  enemies  to  their  towns  and  wigwams. 
Early  in  January,  a small  party  of  Delaware  Indians  came 
from  the  direction  of  the  Cany  Fork,  and  passed  by  the  head 
of  Mill  Creek,  and  encamped  on  one  of  its  branches,  which 
has  since  been  called  Indian  Creek.  The  Indians  proceeded 
to  Bear  Creek  of  Tennessee,  and  continued  there  during  the 
summer.  At  this  time  they  offered  no  molestation  to  the 
whites.  Before  the  next  irruption  of  the  Indians,  time  was 
given  for  the  erection  of  defences,  and  Robertson’s  second 
colony  was  planted — consisting,  like  the  first  at  Watauga,  of 
intrepid  men  and  heroic  women — fit  elements  for  the  founda- 
tion of  a great  and  flourishing  state.  And  here,  at  the  Bluff, 
with  its  little  garrison  and  rude  stations — in  the  centre  of  a 
wide  wilderness,  and  overshadowed  by  the  huge  evergreens 
and  the  ancient  forest  around  it — amidst  the  snows,  and  ice, 
and  storms  of  1780,  was  fixed  the  seat  of  commerce,  of 
learning  and  the  arts — the  future  abode  of  refinement  and 
hospitality,  and  the  cradle  of  empire. 

When  the  first  settlers  came  to  the  Bluff  in  1779-’80,  Hay- 
wood says  the  country  had  the  appearance  of  one  which  had 
never  before  been  cultivated.  There  was  no  sign  of  any 
cleared  land,  nor  other  appearance  of  former  cultivation. 
Nothing  was  presented  to  the  eye  but  one  large  plain  of 
woods  and  cane,  frequented  by  buffaloes,  elk,  deer,  wolves, 
foxes,  panthers,  and  other  animals  suited  to  the  climate.  The 
lands  adjacent  to  the  French  Lick,  which  Mansco,  in  1769, 
when  he  first  hunted  here,  called  an  old  field,  was  a large 
open  space,  frequented  and  trodden  by  buffaloes,  whose  large 
paths  led  to  it  from  all  parts  of  the  country  and  there  con- 
centred. On  these  adjacent  lands  was  no  under-growth  nor 
cane,  as  far  as  the  water  reached  in  time  of  high  water. 
The  country  as  far  as  to  Elk  River  and  beyond  it,  had  not  a 


ANCIENT  REMAINS  ON  CUMBERLAND. 


207 


single  permanent  inhabitant,  except  the  wild  beasts  of  the 
forest ; but  there  were  traces,  as  everywhere  else,  of  having 
been  inhabited  many  centuries  before  by  a numerous  popu- 
lation. At  every  lasting  spring  is  a large  collection  of  graves, 
made  in  a particular  way,  the  whole  covered  with  a stratum 
of  mould  and  dirt,  eight  or  ten  inches  deep.  At  many  springs 
is  the  appearance  of  walls  enclosing  ancient  habitations,  the 
foundations  of  which  were  visible  whenever  the  earth  was 
cleared  and  cultivated — to  these  walls  entrenchments  were 
sometimes  added.  The  walls  sometimes  enclose  six,  eight, 
or  ten  acres  of  land,  and  sometimes  they  are  more  extensive. 

We  have  thus  traced  the  stream  of  emigration  from  the 
Atlantic  to  the  West.  We  have  seen  a few  enterprising  and 
adventurous  men,  clustering  together  on  the  banks  of  the 
remote  and  secluded  Watauga,  felling  the  forest,  erecting 
the  cabin,  forming  society  and  laying  the  foundation  of  go- 
vernment. We  have  seen  the  plain  and  unpretending  emi- 
grant from  the  Yadkin,  and  his  hunter  associates,  combining 
the  wisdom  and  virtue  of  the  pioneer  condition,  and  provi- 
ding laws  and  regulations  suited  to  the  wants  of  the  new 
community  around  them.  We  have  seen  the  patriotism  and 
chivalry  of  the  extreme  western  settlement  rally  at  the  sound 
of  danger.  Leaving  their  own  frontier  exposed,  they  mag- 
nanimously returned  to  the  defence  of  a sister  colony,  and  on 
the  rugged  Kenhawa,  met  and  repulsed  the  savage  invader. 
We  have  seen  Robertson  negotiate  an  enlargement  of  his 
border,  and  effect  a peaceable  extension  of  the  settlements. 
We  have  seen  the  fortress  erected,  the  station  built,  and  the 
enemy  repulsed.  We  have  seen  armaments  by  land  and  wa- 
ter boldly  penetrate  to  the  centre  of  the  warlike  Cherokee 
nation,  and  the  soldiery  of  the  Watauga  bivouac  upon  the 
sources  of  the  Coosa.  The  first  settlement  in  Tennessee 
planted,  defended,  secure  and  prosperous,  we  have  seen  its 
founder  and  patriarch  lead  forth  a new  colony,  through  ano- 
ther wilderness,  to  experience  upon  another  theatre,  new  pri- 
vations, and  undergo  new  dangers,  and  perform  new  achieve- 
ments upon  the  remote  Cumberland.  There,  for  the  present, 
we  shall  leave  them,  and  return  to  the  eastern  settlements. 
Here  was  the  cradle  of  the  great  State  of  Tennessee,  where 


208 


REVOLUTIONARY  WAR. 


its  infancy  was  spent  and  its  early  manhood  formed.  The 
vigorous  shoots  sent  out  from  the  parent  stem — the  colonies 
that  have  gone  abroad  from  the  old  homestead  and  peopled 
the  great  West — have  ever  been  worthy  of  their  ancestry. 
Their  rapid  growth  and  enlargement,  their  unexampled  pros- 
perity and  achievement,  are  noticed  with  feelings  of  parental 
fondness  and  pride.  In  no  spirit  of  senile  arrogance  is  the 
claim  upon  their  filial  piety  asserted  for  veneration  and  re- 
gard to  their  East  Tennessee  forefathers.  Through  them  our 
proud  state  claims  to  be  one  of  the  “Old  Thirteen,”  and  to 
be  identified  with  them  in  the  cause  of  independence  and 
freedom. 

On  a preceding  page,  it  has  been  mentioned  that  the  capi- 
tal of  Georgia  was  in  the  possession  of  the  British,  and  that 
their  posts  had  been  extended  up  the  Savannah  River,  as 
high  as  Augusta.  Simultaneously  with  the  arrival  of  the 
enemy  in  Georgia,  was  that  of  General  Lincoln  in  South- 
Carolina,  and  the  war  of  the  Revolution  was  at  once  trans- 
ferred from  the  Northern  to  the  Southern  States. 

It  was  hoped  that  by  the  co-operation  of  our  generous 
ally,  France,  all  that  had  been  lost  in  the  south  would  be 
recovered  at  a single  blow  ; and  that  by  the  combined  forces 
of  Lincoln  and  Count  D’Estaing,  the  army  under  Provost,  and 
then  concentrated  at  Savannah,  would  be  captured.  That 
place  was  attacked  on  the  8th  of  October,  but  the  result 
blasted  all  the  high  hopes  of  the  combined  armies ; and 
their  failure  was  the  precursor  of  the  loss  of  Charleston  and 
the  reduction  of  the  Southern  States.  D’Estaing  soon  after 
left  the  coast.  The  southern  army  was  nearly  broken  up  ; 
sickness  had  diminished  the  number  of  the  Carolina  regi- 
ments, while  those  from  the  north  were  daily  becoming 
weaker,  by  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  their  enlistment. 
The  quiet  possession  of  Georgia  by  the  enemy,  brought  to 
their  aid  many  of  the  Indians,  and  of  the  loyalists  who  had 
fled  from  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia  and  taken  refuge  among 
them.  These  were  now  emboldened  to  collect  from  all  quar- 
ters, under  cover  of  Provost’s  army.  These  either  united 
with  it,  or  joined  in  formidable  bodies  to  hunt  up  and  de- 
stroy the  whig  inhabitants.  Many  of  these  were  forced,  in 


CHARLESTON  CAPITULATES. 


209 


their  turn,  to  forsake  their  plantations,  and  transport  their 
families  beyond  the  mountains  to  the  securer  retreats  ol  Wa- 
tauga and  Nollichucky.  It  became  evident  that  all  that  was 
wanting  to  complete  British  ascendancy  in  the  South,  was 
the  possession  of  Charleston.  Should  that  metropolis,  and 
the  army  that  defended  it,  be  captured,  the  reduction  of  the 
whole  state,  and  probably  of  North-Carolina  also,  would 
ensue.  To  attain  these  objects,  ten  thousand  chosen  men, 
with  an  immense  supply  of  arms  and  munitions  of  war, 
were  landed,  on  the  eleventh  of  February,  1780,  on  John’s 
Island,  the  command  of  which  was  taken  by  Sir  Henry 
Clinton.  The  assembly  of  South-Carolina  was  in  session  ; 
and  though  the  regular  troops  in  the  state  did  not  then 
amount  to  one  thousand  men,  and  the  defences  of  the  city 
were  in  a dilapidated  or  unfinished  condition,  it  was  resolved 
with  one  voice  to  defend  the  capital  to  the  last  extremity. 
Governor  Rutledge  was  invested  with  dictatorial  powers, 
and  measures  were  taken  to  hasten  the  arrival  of  reinforce- 
ments from  the  interior  of  the  state  and  from  North-Caro- 
lina. The  besieged  at  no  time  amounted  to  four  thousand 
men,  and  yet  had  to  defend  an  extent  of  works  that  could 
not  be  well  manned  by  less  than  ten  thousand.  Besides, 
they  were  badly  furnished,  and,  before  the  siege  was  over, 
were  even  suffering  for  food.  Yet  the  defence  was  pro- 
tracted, under  every  discouragement  and  disadvantage,  from 
the  29th  of  March  to  the  12th  of  May,  when  General  Lincoln 
found  himself  obliged  to  capitulate.  The  fall  of  the  metro- 
polis was  soon  after  succeeded  by  the  rapid  conquest  of  the 
interior  country,  and,  from  the  seacoast  to  the  mountains, 
the  progress  of  the  enemy  was  almost  wholly  an  uninter- 
rupted triumph.  The  inhabitants  generally  submitted,  and 
were  either  paroled  as  prisoners,  or  took  protection  as  Bri- 
tish subjects.  A few  brave  and  patriotic  men,  under  gal- 
lant and  indomitable  leaders,  remained  in  arms,  but  were 
surprised  and  cut  to  pieces  by  Tarleton  and  Webster,  or, 
for  security  from  their  pursuit,  withdrew  into  North-Caro- 
lina. The  march  of  the  enemy  was  continued  towards  the 
populous  whig  settlements,  and  garrisons  were  established  at 
prominent  points  of  the  country,  with  the  view  of  pushing 
14 


210 


CLARKE  GALLANTLY  ATTACKS  THE  ENEMY. 


their  conquest  still  further  into  the  interior.  South-Carolina 
was  considered  a subdued  British  province,  rather  than  an 
American  state,  and  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  believing  the  conquest 
complete,  invested  Lord  Cornwallis  with  the  chief  command, 
and  sailed  for  New- York. 

“ But,  in  the  midst  of  the  general  submission  of  the  inhabitants,  there 
remained  a few  unconquerable  spirits,  whom  nothing  but  death  could 
quell.  These  were  Sumpter,  Marion  and  Williams,  in  South-Carolina, 
and  Clarke  and  Twiggs,  in  Georgia.  The  three  last  had  never  submit- 
ted, and  were  ever  in  motion,  harassing  and  waylaying  the  enemy.  But 
their  force  was  seldom  considerable.  Sumpter  and  Marion,  after  the 
capitulation  of  Charleston,  had  retired  into  North-Carolina,  to  recruit 
their  commands  and  gather  the  means  of  carrying  on  that  partizan  war- 
fare in  which  they  afterwards  became  so  conspicuous.”  * 

When  Georgia  was  overrun  by  the  British,  Colonel  Clarke, 

^ $ with  about  one  hundred  of  his  valiant  but  overpowered 
( countrymen,  sought  safety  in  the  remote  settlements 
on  the  Watauga  and  Holston.  Here  their  representations 
of  the  atrocities  perpetrated  by  the  loyalists  induced  many  of 
the  frontier  men  to  return  with  Clarke  and  retaliate  the  inju- 
ries he  and  his  associates  had  suffered.  Clarke  thus  rein- 
forced, approached  the  British  camp,  placed  his  men  near  the 
road  that  lead  to  it,  and  sent  forward  a small  detachment  of 
his  men  to  draw  out  the  enemy  into  his  ambuscade.  The 
stratagem  succeeded.  On  the  approach  of  the  British  and  loy- 
alists, Robert  Bean,  of  Watauga,  fired  at  and  killed  the  com- 
manding officer.  Many  of  his  men  suffered  the  same  fate. 
The  enemy  was  repulsed,  and  in  their  retreat  before  Clarke 
several  were  killed,  while  he  sustained  the  loss  of  but  a sin- 
gle Georgian.  Here  began  a lasting  friendship  between  the 
Georgians  and  the  Western  settlers. 

The  successes  of  the  British  army  had  stimulated  into  life 
the  hitherto  dormant  disaffection  of  some  of  the  inhabitants 
of  North-Carolina.  That  army  was  now  approaching,  in  its 
career  of  conquest  and  victory,  the  southern  boundary  of  that 
state.  Some  who  had  hitherto  worn  the  mask  of  friendship, 
became  now  the  avowed  enemies  of  the  American  cause.  In 
the  settlements  beyond  the  mountain  a few  tories  had  taken 
refuge.  To  watch  their  motions  as  well  as  those  of  the  Indians, 


* Johnson. 


GEN.  RUTHERFORD  CALLS  FOR  THE  WESTERN  RIFLEMEN.  211 


it  was  found  necessary  to  embody  scouting  parties  of  armed 
men.  One  of  these  killed  Bradley,  a disaffected  citizen  from 
Halifax  county,  and  notorious  for  his  crimes  and  his  frequent 
and  artful  escapes  from  justice.  With  him  was  also  taken 
another  confederate  in  guilt,  Halley.  They  were  both  taken 
and  shot  by  Robert  Sevier’s  company  of  horsemen.  Another 
tory  named  Dykes,  was  also  captured.  He  and  others  had 
concerted  a plan  to  come  to  the  house  of  Col.  Sevier  and  mur- 
der him.  The  wife  of  Dykes,  who  had  in  time  of  distress 
been  treated  by  Sevier  with  great  kindness  and  humanity,  dis- 
closed to  him  the  meditated  mischief.  Dykes  himself  was 
immediately  hung.  This  was  done  by  Jesse  Green  and  John 
Gibson,  two  of  the  Regulators.  An  act  of  oblivion  was  passed 
for  their  relief. 

Thus  the  vigilance  and  efforts  of  the  Western  settlers  were 
not  confined  to  the  protection  and  defence  of  their  own  seclu- 
ded homes.  They  had  left  parents  and  kindred  and  country- 
men east  of  the  Alleghanies,  and  their  hearts  yet  yearned  for 
their  safety  and  welfare.  The  homes  of  their  youth  were 
pillaged  by  a foreign  soldiery,  and  the  friends  they  loved  were 
slain  or  driven  into  exile.  Above  all,  the  great  cause  of 
American  freedom  and  independence  was  in  danger,  the  coun- 
try was  invaded  by  a powerful  foe,  and  the  exigencies  of  Ca- 
rolina called  aloud  for  every  absent  son  to  return  to  her  res- 
cue and  defence.  The  call  was  promptly  obeyed.  And  the 
mountain  men — the  pioneers  of  Tennessee — were  the  first  to 
resist  the  invaders,  and  restrained  not  from  the  pursuit  of  the 
vanquished  enemy  till  they  reached  the  coast  of  the  Atlantic. 

After  the  destination  of  the  large  armament  under  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  was  ascertained  to  be  Charleston,  Gen. 
Rutherford,  of  North-Carolina,  issued  a requisition  for 
the  militia  of  that  state  to  embody  for  the  defence  of  their  sis- 
ter state.  That  order  reached  Watauga,  and  the  following 
proceedings  were  immediately  had  in  that  small  but  patriotic 
and  gallant  community.  They  are  copied  from  the  original 
manuscript  in  the  possession  of  this  writer.  They  are  almost 
illegible  from  the  ravages  of  time  and  exposure,  but  even  now 
plainly  shew  the  bold  and  characteristic  chirography  of  Col. 
Sevier  and  the  commissioned  officers  under  him.  There  is 


1780 


212  MEETING  OF  COL.  SEVIER  AND  OTHER  MILITIA  OFFICERS. 

no  preamble,  no  circumlocution  — Nothing  but  action,  prompt 
and  decisive  action,  and  the  names  of  the  actors  : 

“ At  a meeting  of  sundry  of  the  Militia  Officers  of  Washington  County, 
this  19th  day  of  March,  1780:  Present,  John  Sevier,  Colonel,  Jonathan 
Tipton,  Major,  Joseph  Willson,  John  McNabb,  Godfrey  Isbell,  Wm.  Trim- 
ble, James  Stinson,  Robert  Sevier,  Captains,  and  Landon  Carter,  Lieute- 
nant, in  the  absence  of  Valentine  Sevier,  Captain. 

“ In  order  to  raise  one  hundred  men,  agreeable  to  command  of  the 
Hon.  Brigadier  Rutherford,  to  send  to  the  aid  of  South-Carolina. 

“ It  is  the  opinion  of  the  officers,  that  each  company  in  this  county  do 
furnish  eight  effective  men,  ■well  equipt  for  war,  except  Samuel  Williams’s 
company,  which  is  to  furnish  four  men  well  equipt  as  aforesaid. 

John  Sevier,  Jno.  McNabb, 

Joseph  Willson,  Jonathan  Tipton, 

Wm.  Trimble,  Godfrey  Isbell.” 

James  Stinson, 

On  the  same  page  is  a list  of  captains.  They  are  “ Cap- 
tains McKnabb,  Sevier,  Hoskins,  Been,  Brown,  Isbell,  Trim- 
ble, Willson,  Gist,  Stinson,  Davis,  Patterson,  Williams.” 

A similar  requisition  was  made  upon  Isaac  Shelby,  the 
Colonel  of  Sullivan  county.  He  was  then  absent  in  Ken- 
tucky.  Fortunately  General  Rutherford  was  hurried  off 
with  such  reinforcements  as  were  near  at  hand,  and  the 
militia  of  these  remote  counties  were  not,  with  him,  placed 
under  the  command  of  General  Gates  in  the  ill-advised  and 
badly  arranged  engagement  near  Camden.  Well  was  it  for 
the  future  fame  of  Sevier  and  Shelby;  well  was  it  for  the 
cause  in  which,  soon  afterwards,  they  acquired  distinction 
for  themselves  and  led  their  comrades  in  arms  to  victory  and 
glory,  that  they  were  still  left  in  their  mountain  recesses  to 
quicken  the  patriotic  impulses,  and  arouse  the  martial  spirit  of 
their  countrymen,  and  lead  them  forth  against  the  enemies  of 
their  country  and  of  freedom.  This  duty  they  were  soon  called 
to  perform.  Col.  Charles  McDowell,  in  the  absence  of 
General  Rutherford,  succeeded  in  command,  and  immediately 
forwarded  a despatch  to  Sevier  and  Shelby,  informing  these 
officers  of  the  surrender  of  Charleston  and  the  main  south- 
ern army,  and  that  the  enemy  had  overrun  South-Caro- 
lina and  Georgia,  and  were  rapidly  approaching  the  limits 
of  North-Carolina  ; and  requesting  them  to  bring  to  his  aid 
all  the  riflemen  that  could  be  raised,  and  in  as  short  time  as 


COLONEL  SHELBY  AND  HIS  RIFLEMEN. 


213 


possible.  Sevier  had  already  enrolled,  under  the  requisition 
of  General  Rutherford,  one  hundred  of  the  militia  of  Wash- 
ington county.  At  his  call,  another  hundred  immediately 
volunteered,  and,  with  these  two  hundred  mounted  riflemen, 
he  started,  at  once,  across  the  mountain  for  the  camp  of  Mc- 
Dowell. The  despatch  to  Shelby  reached  him  the  16th  of 
June,  in  Kentucky,  where  he  was  locating  and  surveying 
lands.  He  immediately  returned  home,  determined  to  go  to 
the  aid  of  his  bleeding  country  and  sustain  the  struggle  in 
which  she  was  engaged,  till  her  independence  should  be 
secured.  His  appeal  to  the  chivalry  of  Sullivan  county  was 
met  by  a hearty  response,  and  early  in  July  he  found  himself 
at  the  head  of  two  hundred  mounted  riflemen,  whom  he 
rapidly  led  to  the  camp  of  McDowell,  near  the  Cherokee 
ford  of  Broad  River,  in  South-Carolina.  Sevier,  with  his 
regiment,  had  arrived  there  a few  days  before. 

In  the  meantime,  the  British  army  had  advanced  to  Ninety- 
Six,  Camden  and  Cheraw,  in  South-Carolina.  At  the  for- 
ego <j  mer  place  Nesbitt  Balfour  commanded,  and,  on  the 
( 15th  July,  issued  the  following  proclamation: 

“ Notwithstanding  the  extraordinary  lenity  shown  the  misled  inhabi- 
tants of  this  province,  that  they  may  now  plainly  see  their  true  interest 
is  to  unite  sincerely  with  his  Majesty’s  forces  to  suppress  every  invader 
of  the  public  tranquillity,  I have  certain  information  that  some  persons 
who  have  been  received  into  his  Majesty’s  protection,  forgetting  every 
tie  of  honour  and  gratitude,  and  led  by  the  hope  of  enriching  them- 
selves by  plundering  the  peaceable  inhabitants,  and  are  engaged  in  the 
work  of  subverting  his  Majesty’s  mild  and  just  government,  have  f * 
* * and  are  now  actually  in  arms,  with  a body  of  rebels,  assembled 

against  the  peace- of  this  province. 

“ This  is,  therefore,  to  give  notice  that  every  inhabitant  of  this  province 
who  is  not  at  his  own  home  by  the  24th  instant,  or  cannot  make  it 
appear  that  he  is  absent  on  lawful  business,  is  hereby  declared  an  out- 
law and  is  to  be  treated  accordingly,  and  his  property,  of  whatsoever 
kind,  confiscated,  and  liable  to  military  execution.” 

Lord  Cornwallis  meeting  with  little  obstruction  in  his  vic- 
torious march,  contemplated  an  extension  of  his  conquest 
through  North-Carolina.  He  had  instructed  the  loyalists  of 
that  state  not  to  rise  until  his  approach  to  its  southern  bound” 

\ The  original,  from  which  this  is  copied,  is  here  illegible.  It  was  taken  from 
a tory  officer  by  Col.  Sevier. 


* 


214  CAPTURE  OP  COLONEL  MOORE. 

ary  would  favour  their  concentration  with  his  forces,  and  at 
the  same  time  intimidate  the  whigs.  As  he  approached  Cam- 
den, Col.  Patrick  Moore  appeared  at  the  head  of  a large  band 
of  disaffected  Americans  from  Tryon  (since  Lincoln)  county, 
and  erecting  the  royal  standard,  invited  to  it  all  the  loyalists 
in  that  section  of  North  and  South-Carolina  lying  between 
the  Catawba  River  and  the  mountains.  The  rapid  successes 
of  the  enemy  and  his  near  approach,  encouraged  the  rising  of 
the  tones,  and  Colonel  Moore,  after  an  uninterrupted  march, 
took  post  in  a strong  fort  built  by  General  Williamson,  about 
four  years  before,  during  the  Cherokee  war.  It  was  sur- 
rounded by  a strong  abbatis  and  was  otherwise  well  provided 
with  defences.  It  stood  upon  the  waters  of  Pacolet  River. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  Sevier  and  Shelby  at  the  Chero- 
kee ford,  Col.  McDowell  detached  them,  and  Col.  Clarke,  of 
Georgia,  with  about  six  hundi'ed  men,  against  Moore.  His 
post  was  more  than  twenty  miles  distant.  The  riflemen  took 
up  the  line  of  march  at  sunset,  and  at  the  dawn  of  day  next 
morning  surrounded  the  fort.  Shelby  sent  in  one  of  his  men 
(William  Cocke,  Esq.)  and  made  a peremptory  demand  of 
the  surrender  of  the  fort.  Moore  replied  that  he  would  de- 
fend it  to  the  last  extremity.  The  lines  of  the  assailants  were 
immediately  drawn  in,  within  musket-shot  of  the  enemy  all 
round,  with  a determination  to  make  an  assault  upon  the 
fort.  But  before  proceeding  to  extremities  a second  message 
was  sent  in.  To  this  Moore  replied,  that  he  would  surrender 
on  condition  that  the  garrison  be  paroled  not  to  serve  again 
during  the  war.  The  assailants  were  as  humane  as  they  were 
brave;  and  to  save  the  effusion  of  the  blood  of  their  deluded 
countrymen,  the  terms  were  agreed  to.  The  fort  was  sur- 
rendered. Ninety-three  loyalists  and  one  British  sergeant- 
major  were  in  the  garrison,  with  two  hundred  and  fifty  Stand 
of  arms,  all  loaded  with  ball  and  buckshot,  and  so  disposed  of 
at  the  port-holes  that  double  the  number  of  the  whigs  might 
have  been  easily  repulsed. 

As  confirming  the  accuracy  of  the  account  as  here  given 
of  the  surrender  of  Colonel  Moore,  the  subjoined  letter  is 
here  for  the  first  time  published.  It  was  taken  amongst  the 
spoils  at  King’s  Mountain,  and  is  now  so  worn  as  to  be  nearly 


OTHER  MEASURES  TAKEN  TO  EMBODY  THE  LOYALISTS.  215 


illegible  : the  writer’s  name  is  no  longer  upon  it.  It  may  be  the 
despatch  of  Major  Ferguson  himself  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  apolo- 
gizing for  the  conduct  of  some  loyalist  then  under  censure. 
Speaking  of  the  fort  and  garrison  commanded  by  Col.  Moore, 
the  writer  says : 

“ It  had  an  upper  line  of  loop-holes  and  was  surrounded  by  a very 
strong  abbatis,  with  only  a small  wicket  to  enter  by.  It  had  been  put 
in  thorough  repair  at  the  request  of  the  garrison,  which  consisted  of  the 

neighbouring  militia  that  had  come  to  , and  was  defended  by 

eighty  men  against  two  or  three  hundred  banditti  without  cannon,  and 

each  man  was  of  opinion  that  it  was  impossible 

. . . . The  officer  next  in  command  and  all  the  others,  gave  their 

opinion  for  defending  it,  and  agree  in  their  account  that  Patrick  Moore, 
after  proposing  a surrender,  acquiesced  in  their  opinion  and  offered  to  go 
and  signify  as  much  to  the  rebels,  but  returned,  with  some  rebel  officers, 
whom  he  put  in  possession  of  the  gate  and  place,  who  were  instantly 
followed  by  their  men,  and  the  fort  full  of  rebels  to  the  surprise  of  the 
garrison.  He  plead  cowardice,  I understand  . . 

“ Mr.  Gibbs  is  a very  loyal  man  and  has  suffered  much  in  this  rebel- 
lion  , . — — — Maj.  Gibbs’s  fidelity  and  zeal  for  the 

King’s  service  is  undoubted.  I have  only  laid  the  above  circumstances 
before  your  Lordship,  as  a proof  of  the  very  bad  consequences  to  the  pub- 
lic service Lordship,  measures  that  may 

follow  from  the  mistaken  humanity  of  easy,  well-meaning  men  to  the 
utter  subversion  of  all  justice  and  policy.” 

This  bold  incursion  of  the  mountain  men,  together  with 
the  capture  of  the  garrison  under  Moore,  induced  Lord  Corn- 
wallis to  detach  from  his  main  army  some  enterprising  offi- 
cers, with  a small  command,  to  penetrate  through  the 
country,  embody  the  loyalists  and  take  possession  of  the 
strongest  posts  in  the  interior.  This  had  become  the  more 
necessary  as  the  advance  of  the  American  army  under 
De  Kalb,  and  afterwards  under  Gates,  began  to  inspirit  the 
desponding  whigs  and  at  the  same  time  restrained  the  vigor- 
ous co-operation  of  the  tories  with  the  British  troops.  Mea- 
sures were,  therefore,  adopted  to  embody  and  discipline  the 
zealous  loyalists,  and  for  this  purpose  Col.  Ferguson,  an 
active  and  intelligent  officer,  and  possessing  peculiar  quali- 
fications for  attaching  to  him  the  marksmen  of  Ninety-Six, 
was  despatched  into  that  district. 

“ To  a corps  of  one  hundred  picked  regulars,  he  soon  succeeded  in 
attaching  twelve  or  thirteen  hundred  hardy  natives  ; his  camp  became 


216  FERGUSON  SECURES  THE  ALLEGIANCE  OF  THE  INHABITANTS. 

the  rendezvous  of  the  desperate,  the  idle  and  vindictive,  as  well  as  of  the 
youth  of  the  loyalist,  whose  zeal  or  ambition  prompted  them  to  military 
service.  There  was  a part  of  South-Carolina  which  had  not  yet  been 
trodden  by  a hostile  foot,  and  the  projected  march  through  this  unex- 
plored and  as  yet  undevastated  region,  drew  many  to  the  standard  of 
Ferguson.  This  was  the  country  which  stretches  along  the  foot  of  the 
mountain  towards  the  borders  of  North-Oarolina.  The  progress  of  the 
British  commander  and  his  unnatural  confederates,  was  marked  with 
blood  and  lighted  up  with  conflagrations.”* 

Astonished  by  the  bold  and  unexpected  incursion  of  the 
western  volunteer  riflemen,  under  Shelby  and  Sevier,  and 
apprehending  that  the  contagion  of  their  example  and  their 
presence  might  encourage  the  whigs  of  Carolina  to  resume 
their  arms,  Ferguson  and  the  loyalists  took  measures  to 
secure  the  allegiance  of  the  inhabitants  by  the  following 
written  agreement,  entered  into  and  signed  by  disaffected 
American  militia  officers.  The  original  is  now  before  the 
writer.  It  was  found  in  the  possession  of  a tory  colonel,  by 
Sevier,  at  King’s  Mountain. 

“ As  the  public  safety  and  the  preservation  of  our  freedom  and  pro- 
perty depends  upon  our  acting  together  in  support  of  the  royal  cause, 
and  in  defence  of  our  country  against  any  enemy  who  may  attack  us  ; 
it  is  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  officers  and  men  of  Gibbs’,  Plummer’s, 
Cunningham’s,  dairy’s,  King’s  and  Kirkland’s  battalions  of  militia,  and 
also  of  all  the  officers  and  men  of  Colonel  Mills’s  battalion  of  North-Caro- 
nians,  assembled  under  the  command  of  Major  Ferguson  at  Brannon’s 
Settlement,  August  13,  1780:  That  every  man  who  does  not  assemble 
when  required,  in  defence  of  his  country,  in  order  to  act  with  the  other 
good  subjects  serving  in  the  militia,  exposes  his  comrades  to  unnecessary 
danger,  abandons  the  royal  cause  and  acts  a treacherous  part  to  the  country 
in  which  he  lives  ; and  it  is  the  unanimous  opinion  that  whoever  quits 
his  battalion,  or  disobeys  the  order  of  the  officers  commanding,  is  a 
worse  traitor  and  enemy  to  his  king  and  country,  than  those  rebels  who 
are  again  in  arms  after  having  taken  protection,  and  deserves  to  be 
treated  accordingly  ; and  we  do,  therefore,  empower  the  officers  com- 
manding in  camp  as  well  as  the  officers  commanding  our  several  bat- 
talions of  militia,  from  time  to  time,  to  cause  the  cattle  and  grain  of 
all  such  officers  and  men,  as  basely  fail  to  assemble  and  muster  as  re- 
quired in  times  of  public  danger,  or  who  quit  their  battalions  without 
leave,  to  be  brought  to  camp  for  the  use  of  those  who  pay  their  debt 
to  the  country  by  their  personal  services  ; and  we  do  also  empower  the 
said  commanding  officers,  and  do  require  of  them,  that  they  will  secure 
the  arms  and  horses  of  such  delinquents,  and  put  them  into  the  possession 
of  men  who  are  better  disposed  to  use  them  in  defence  of  their  country, 


* Johnson. 


SHELBY  AND  CLARKE  AT  THE  CEDAR  SPRING. 


217 


and  that  they  will  bring  such  traitors  to  trial,  in  order  that  they  may  he 
punished  as  they  deserve  and  turned  out  of  the  militia  with  disgrace. 
The  above  resolutions  agreed  to  by  every  man  of  the  above  mentioned 

regiments,  as  well  as  by  the  men  of  and  Philip’s  regiment, 

who  were  at  camp  at  Edward  Moverley’s,  this  16th  day  of  August, 
1780.  Zach.  Gibbs,  Major,  John  Hamilton,  Major,  Thos.  D.  Hill,  jun., 
Adjt.,  John  Philips,  L.  C.,  W.  T.  Turner,  L.  Colonel,  Daniel  Plummer, 
Major. 

“ It  was  also  this  day  unanimously,  Resolved,  by  every  officer  and  man 
now  in  camp,  of  all  the  above  mentioned  regiments,  that  whatever  man 
should  neglect  to  assemble  and  do  his  duty  in  the  militia,  when  sum- 
moned for  public  service,  shall  be  made  to  serve  in  the  regular  troops  ; it 
being  the  unanimous  opinion  of  every  man  present,  that  it  is  the  duty 
of  all  who  call  themselves  subjects,  to  assist  in  defence  of  the  country  one 
way  or  the  other.” 

By  such  means  as  these  were  the  whigs  dispirited  and 
the  ranks  of  the  British  and  tories  hourly  enlarged. 

As  he  advanced,  Ferguson  increased  his  command  till  it 
1 amounted  to  above  two  thousand  men,  in  addition  to 
l a small  squadron  of  horse.  To  watch  their  move- 
ments, and,  if  possible,  to  cut  off  their  foraging  parties,  Col. 
McDowell,  not  long  after  the  surprise  and  capture  of  Moore, 
detached  Cols.  Shelby  and  Clarke,  with  six  hundred  mounted 
riflemen.  Several  attempts  were  made  by  Ferguson  to  sur- 
prise this  party,  but,  in  every  instance,  his  designs  were 
baffled.  However,  on  the  first  of  August,  his  advance  of 
six  or  seven  hundred  men  came  up  with  the  party  of  Shelby 
and  Clarke,  at  a place  called  Cedar  Spring,  where  they  had 
chosen  to  fight  him.  A sharp  conflict  of  half  an  hour  ensued, 
when  Ferguson  came  up  with  his  whole  force,  and  the 
Americans  withdrew,  carrying  off  the  field  of  battle  twenty 
prisoners,  with  two  British  officers.  The  killed  of  the  enemy 
was  not  ascertained.  The  American  loss  was  ten  or  twelve 
killed  and  wounded.  Among  the  latter  was  Col.  Clarke,  on 
the  neck,  slightly,  with  a sabre. 

McDowell’s  policy  was  to  change  his  camp  frequently. 
He  now  lay  at  Smith’s  ford  of  Broad  River.  Here  he  re- 
ceived information  that  a party  of  four  or  five  hundred  tories 
were  encamped  at  Musgrove’s  mill,  on  the  south  side  of  Eno- 
ree  River,  about  forty  miles  distant.  He  again  detached 
Shelby  and  Clarke,  together  with  Col.  Williams,  of  South- 
Carolina,  who  had  joined  his  command,  to  surprise  and  dis- 


218 


BATTLE  AT  MUSGROVe’s  MILL. 


perse  them.  Ferguson  lay,  with  his  whole  force,  at  that 
time,  exactly  between.  The  detachment  amounted  to  six 
hundred  horsemen.  These  took  up  their  line  of  march,  just 
before  sundown,  on  the  evening  of  the  eighteenth  of  August. 
They  went  through  the  woods  until  dark,  and  then  took  a 
road  leaving  Ferguson’s  camp  some  three  or  four  miles  to 
the  left.  They  rode  very  hard  all  night,  and  at  the  dawn  of 
day,  about  half  a mile  from  the  enemy’s  camp,  were  met  by 
a strong  patrol  party.  A short  skirmish  followed,  when 
the  enemy  retreated.  At  that  moment  a countryman,  living 
just  at  hand,  came  up  and  informed  the  party  that  the  enemy 
had  been  reinforced  the  evening  before  with  six  hundred 
regular  troops,  under  Col.  Ennes,  which  were  destined  to 
join  Ferguson’s  army.  The  circumstances  of  this  informa- 
tion were  so  minute  that  no  doubt  could  be  entertained  of 
its  truth.  For  six  hundred  men,  fatigued  by  a night  ride  of 
forty  miles,  to  march  on  and  attack  the  enemy,  thus  rein- 
forced, seemed  rash  and  improper.  To  attempt  an  escape 
by  a rapid  retreat,  broken  down  as  were  both  men  and 
horses,  was  equally  hopeless,  if  not  impossible.  The  heroic 
determination  was,  therefore,  instantly  formed  to  make  the 
best  defence  they  could  under  the  existing  circumstances. 
A rude  and  hasty  breast-work  of  brush  and  old  logs  was 
immediately  constructed.  Captain  Inman  was  sent  forward 
with  about  twenty-five  men  to  meet  the  enemy  and  skirmish 
with  them  as  soon  as  they  crossed  the  Enoree.  The  sound 
of  their  drums  and  bugles  soon  announced  their  movements, 
and  induced  the  belief  that  they  had  cavalry.  Inman  was 
ordered  to  fire  on  them,  and  retreat  according  to  his  own 
discretion.  This  stratagem,  which  was  the  suggestion  of 
the  captain  himself,  drew  the  enemy  forward  in  disorder,  as 
they  believed  they  had  driven  the  whole  party.  When  they 
came  up  within  seventy  yards,  a most  destructive  fire  from 
the  riflemen,  who  lay  concealed  behind  their  breast- work  of 
logs,  commenced.  It  was  one  whole  hour  before  the  enemy 
could  force  the  Americans  from  their  slender  defences,  and 
just  as  they  began  to  give  way  in  some  points,  the  British 
commander,  .Col.  Ennes,  was  wounded.  All  his  subalterns, 
except  one,  being  previously  killed  or  wounded,  and  Captain 


THE  BRAVE  CAPTAIN  INMAN  KILLED. 


219 


Hawsey,  the  leader  of  the  loyalists  on  the  left,  being  shot 
down,  the  whole  of  the  enemy’s  line  began  to  yield.  The 
riflemen  pursued  them  close,  and  drove  them  across  the  river. 
In  this  pursuit  the  gallant  Inman  was  killed,  bravely  fight- 
ing the  enemy  hand  to  hand.  In  this  action  Col.  Shelby 
commanded  the  right,  Col.  Clarke,  the  left,  and  Col.  Williams, 
the  centre. 

The  battle  lasted  one  hour  and  a half.  The  Americans 
lay  so  closely  behind  their  little  breast-work  that  the  enemy 
entirely  over-shot  them,  killing  only  six  or  seven,  amongst 
whom  the  loss  of  the  brave  Captain  Inman  was  particularly 
regretted.  His  stratagem  of  engaging  and  skirmishing  with 
the  enemy  until  the  riflemen  had  time  to  throw  up  a hasty 
breast-work— his  gallant  conduct  during  the  action,  and  his 
desperate  charge  upon  their  retreat — contributed  much  to  the 
victory.  He  died  at  the  moment  it  was  won.  The  number 
of  the  enemy  killed  and  wounded  was  considerable.  The 
tories  were  the  first  to  escape.  Of  the  British  regulars  un- 
der Col.  Ennes,  who  fought  bravely  to  the  last  and  prolonged 
the  conflict  even  against  hope,  above  two  hundred  were 
taken  prisoners. 

The  Americans  returned  immediately  to  their  horses,  and 
mounted  with  a determination  to  be  in  Ninety-Six  before 
night.  This  was  a British  post  less  than  thirty  miles  distant, 
and  not  far  from  the  residence  of  Col.  Williams,  one  of  the 
commanders.  It  was  considered  best  to  push  their  successes 
into  the  disaffected  regions  before  time  would  allow  rein- 
forcements to  reach  them.  Besides,  by  making  their  next 
expedition  in  the  direction  of  Ninety-Six,  they  would  avoid 
Ferguson's  army,  near  whose  encampment  they  would  have 
necessarily  to  pass  on  their  return  to  McDowell’s  head-quar- 
ters, at  Smith’s  Ford.  At  the  moment  of  starting,  an  express 
from  McDowell  rode  up  in  great  haste,  with  a short  letter  in 
his  hand  from  Governor  Caswell,  dated  on  the  battle  ground, 
apprising  McDowell  of  the  defeat  of  the  American  grand 
army  under  General  Gates,  on  the  sixteenth,  near  Camden, 
advising  him  to  get  out  of  the  way,  as  the  enemy  would,  no 
no  doubt,  endeavour  to  improve  their  victory  to  the  greatest 
advantage,  by  cutting  up  all  the  small  corps  of  the  Ameri- 


220 


TIIE  AMERICANS  RETIRE  ACROSS  THE  MOUNTAIN. 


can  armies.  Fortunately,  Col.  Shelby  was  well  acquainted 
with  the  hand-writing  of  Governor  Caswell,  and  knew  what 
reliance  to  place  upon  the  intelligence  brought  by  the  ex- 
press. The  men  and  horses  were  fatigued  by  the  rapid 
march  of  the  night,  as  well  as  the  severe  conflict  of  the 
morning.  They  were  now  encumbered  with  more  than  two 
hundred  British  prisoners  and  the  spoils  of  victor}'.  Besides 
these  difficulties  that  surrounded  the  American  party,  there 
was  another  that  made  extrication  from  them,  dangerous  if 
not  impossible.  A numerous  army  under  an  enterprising 
leader  lay  in  their  rear,  and  there  was  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  Ferguson  would  have  received  intelligence  of  the 
daring  incursion  of  the  riflemen,  and  of  the  defeat  of  his 
friends  at  the  Enoree.  The  delay  of  an  hour  might  have 
proved  disastrous  to  the  victors.  The  prisoners  were  imme- 
diately distributed  among  the  companies,  so  as  to  leave  one 
to  every  three  men,  who  carried  them  alternately  on  horse- 
back. They  rode  directly  towards  the  mountains,  and  con- 
tinued the  march  all  that  day  and  night,  and  the  succeeding 
day,  until  late  in  the  evening,  without  ever  stopping  to  re- 
fresh. This  long  and  rapid  march — retreat  it  can  scarcely  be 
called,  as  the  retiring  troops  bore  with  them  the  fruits  of  a 
well  earned  victory — saved  the  Americans.  For,  as  was  af- 
terwards ascertained,  they  were  pursued  closely  until  late  in 
the  evening  of  the  second  day  after  the  action,  by  Major  Du- 
poister,  and  a strong  body  of  mounted  men  from  Ferguson’s 
army.  These  became  so  broken  down  by  excessive  fatigue, 
in  hot  weather,  that  they  despaired  of  overtaking  the  Ameri- 
cans and  abandoned  the  pursuit. 

Shelby  having  seen  the  party  and  its  prisoners  beyond  the 
reach  of  danger,  retired  across  the  mountains.  He  left  the 
prisoners  with  Clarke  and  Williams,  to  be  carried  to  some 
place  of  safety  to  the  North,  for  it  was  not  known  then  that 
there  was  even  the  appearance  of  a corps  of  Americans  any 
where  south  of  the  Potomac.  So  great  was  the  panic  after 
the  defeat  of  Gates,  and  the  disaster  of  Sumpter,  that  McDow- 
ell’s whole  army  broke  up.  He,  with  several  hundred  of  his 
followers,  yielding  to  the  cruel  necessity  of  the  unfortunate 
circumstances  which  involved  the  country,  retired  across  the 


DEPRESSED  CONDITION  OF  THE  AMERICAN  CAUSE. 


221 


mountains,  and  scattered  themselves  among  the  hospitable 
settlers  in  the  securer  retreats  of  Watauga  and  Nollichucky. 

At  this  period  a deep  gloom  hung  over  the  cause  of 
| American  Independence,  and  the  confidence  of  its 
l most  steadfast  friends  was  shaken.  The  reduction  of 
Savannah,  the  capitulation  of  Charleston  and  the  loss  of  the 
entire  army  under  General  Lincoln,  had  depressed  the  hopes 
of  the  patriot  whigs,  and  the  subsequent  career  of  British 
conquest  and  subjugation  of  Georgia  and  South-Carolina, 
excited  serious  apprehension  and  alarm  for  the  eventual 
success  of  the  American  cause.  At  the  urgent  appeal  of  the 
patriotic  Governor  Rutledge,  Virginia  had  sent  forward  rein- 
forcements under  Col.  Buford.  His  command  was  defeated 
and  his  men  butchered  by  the  sabres  of  Tarleton.  At  Cam- 
den a second  southern  army,  and  commanded  by  General 
Gates,  was  dispersed,  captured  and  signally  defeated  by 
Cornwallis. 

But  besides  these  disasters,  there  were  other  circumstances 
that  aggravated  the  discouraging  condition  of  American 
affairs.  The  finances  of  Congress  were  low  ; the  paper  cur- 
rency had  failed  ; its  depreciation  was  every  where  sinking 
with  a rapid  proclivity  still  lower  ; the  treasuries  of  the  states 
were  exhausted  and  their  credit  lost  ; a general  distress  per- 
vaded the  country  ; subsistence  and  clothing  for  the  famish- 
ing and  ill-clad  troops,  were  to  be  procured  only  by  impress- 
ment ; and  the  inability  of  the  government,  from  the  want  of 
means,  to  carry  on  the  war,  was  openly  admitted.  British 
posts  were  established,  and  garrisons  kept  up  at  numerous 
points  in  the  very  heart  of  the  country,  and  detachments 
from  the  main  army  were  with  profane  impudence  rioting 
through  the  land  in  an  uninterrupted  career  of  outrage,  ag- 
gression and  conquest.  Under  the  protection  of  these,  the 
loyalists  were  encouraged  to  rise  against  their  whig  coun- 
trymen, to  depredate  upon  their  property,  insult  their  fami- 
lies, seek  their  lives  and  drive  them  into  exile  upon  the 
Western  waters.  This  was  the  general  condition  of  Ameri- 
can affairs  in  the  South,  immediately  after  the  defeat  near 
Camden.  General  Gates  endeavouring  to  collect  together 
the  shattered  fragments  of  his  routed  army,  made  a short 


222 


CORNWALLIS  ADVANCES  TO  CHARLOTTE. 


halt  at  Charlotte.  He  afterwards  fell  back  further  and 
made  his  head-quarters  at  Hillsboro’. 

After  the  discomfiture  of  the  American  army  at  Camden, 
and  the  defeat  and  dispersion  of  Sumpter’s  corps,  Lord  Corn- 
wallis waited  only  for  supplies  from  Charleston,  before  he 
proceeded  to  North-Carolina,  which  he  now  scarcely  con- 
sidered in  any  other  light  than  as  the  road  to  Virginia.  A 
junction  with  the  royal  forces  in  that  state,  was  expected  at 
so  early  a day  as  to  give  time  for  prosecuting  further  opera- 
tions against  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  The  expectation 
of  some  went  so  far  as  to  count  upon  a junction  with  the 
royal  army  in  New- York,  and  the  subjugation  of  every  state 
south  of  the  Hudson,  before  the  close  of  the  campaign.* 
Elated  with  such  delusive  prospects  of  conquest  and  renown, 
from  achievements  so  magnificent  and  romantic,  Lord  Corn- 
wallis, until  provisions  for  his  army  arrived,  resumed  at  Cam- 
den the  consideration  of  civil  affairs,  hoping  to  give  quiet 
and  stability^  to  the  province  he  had  subdued.  Finding  that 
many  Americans,  after  swearing  allegiance  to  the  British 
government,  had,  on  the  approach  of  Gates,  revolted,  he 
thought  it  necessary  to  prevent  further  defection  by  severity 
towards  the  most  active  and  forward  in  violation  of  their 
oaths.  The  estates  of  such  were  sequestered.  Instant  death 
was  denounced  against  those,  who  after  taking  protection, 
should  be  found  in  arms  against  the  king.  Other  measures 
were  at  the  same  time  adopted,  to  secure  the  submission  of 
the  whigs.  Some  of  the  most  influential  of  these,  in  defiance 
of  the  terms  of  surrender  and  the  faith  of  treaty,  were  torn 
from  their  families,  hurried  into  transports  and  conveyed  to 
the  fortress  of  St.  Augustine.  Among  these  was  General 
Rutherford,  whose  offence  was  that  while  a prisoner  at  Cam- 
den, he  manifested  no  signs  of  penitence  for  his  rebellion,  nor 
of  submission  to  his  captors.  The  lives  and  property  of  the 
whigs  were  subjected  to  a military  despotism. 

Having  completed  these  arrangements  in  South-Carolina, 
his  lordship,  on  the  eighth  of  September,  marched  towards 
North-Carolina  ; and  as  he  passed  through  the  most  hostile 
and  populous  districts,  he  sent  Col.  Tarleton  and  Major  Fer- 

* Ramsay. 


FERGUSON  TAKES  POST  AT  RUTHERFORDTON. 


223 


guson  to  scour  the  country  to  his  right  and  left.  Arrived  at 
Charlotte,  and  conceiving  it  to  be  a favourable  situation  for 
further  advances,  he  made  preparations  for  establishing  a 
post  at  that  place.  While  he  was  thus  engaged,  the  com- 
manders of  his  detachments  were  proceeding  in  their  respec- 
tive expeditions.  The  detachment  under  Ferguson,  as  has 
been  already  seen,  had  been  for  several  weeks  on  the  left  of 
the  main  army,  watching  the  movements  of  McDowell, 
Sevier,  Shelby,  Sumpter  and  Williams,  and  Clarke  and 
Twiggs.  His  second  in  command,  Dupoister,  had  followed 
in  close  pursuit  the  mountain  men  as  they  retired,  after  their 
victory  at  Enoree,  to  their  mountain  fastnesses.  Ferguson 
himself,  with  the  main  body  of  his  army,  followed  close  upon 
the  heels  of  Dupoister,  determined  to  retake  the  prisoners  or 
support  his  second  in  command,  if  he  should  overtake  and 
engage  the  escaping  enemy.  Finding  that  his  efforts  were 
fruitless,  Ferguson  took  post  at  a place  then  called  Gilbert 
Town,  near  the  present  Rutherfordton,  in  North-Carolina. 
From  this  place  he  sent  a most  threatening  message  by 
Samuel  Philips,  a paroled  prisoner,  that  if  the  officers  west 
of  the  mountains  did  not  lay  down  their  opposition  to  the 
British  arms,  he  would  march  his  army  over,  burn  and  lay 
waste  their  country  and  hang  their  leaders. 

Patrick  Ferguson,  who  had  sent  this  insolent  message, 
was  at  the  head  of  a large  army.  Of  the  loyalists  compo- 
sing a pai’t  of  his  command,  some  had  previously  been 
across  the  mountain,  and  were  familiar  with  the  passes  by 
which  these  heights  were  penetrated.  One  of  them  had  been 
subjected  to  the  indignity  of  a coat  of  tar  and  feathers,  in- 
flicted during  the  past  summer,  by  the  light  horsemen  of 
Captain  Robert  Sevier,  on  Nollichucky.  He  proposed  to  act 
as  pilot  to  the  command,  which  now  stood  at  the  foot  of  the 
Blue  Ridge,  ready  to  carry  into  execution  the  threat  made 
by  Ferguson.  This  gentleman  had  already  displayed  that 
combination  of  intrepid  heroism,  inventive  genius  and  sound 
judgment,  which  constitute  the  valiant  soldier  and  the  able 
commander.  In  early  youth  he  entered  the  British  army, 
and  in  the  German  war  was  distinguished  by  a courage  as 
cool  as  it  was  determined.  The  boasted  skill  of  the  Ameri- 


224 


FERGUSON  AT  NINETY-SIX. 


cans  in  the  use  of  the  rifle  was  an  object  of  terror  to  the 
British  troops,  and  the  rumors  of  their  fatal  aim  operated  upon 
and  stimulated  the  genius  of  Ferguson.  His  invention  pro- 
duced a new  species  of  that  instrument  of  warfare,  which 
he  could  load  at  the  breech,  without  using  the  rammer  or 
turning  the  muzzle  away  from  the  enemy,  and  with  such 
quickness  of  repetition  as  to  fire  seven  times  in  a minute.* 

After  the  reduction  Charleston,  Lord  Cornwallis  called  for 
the  assistance  of  Ferguson  in  procuring  the  submission  of 
South-Carolina.  Among  the  propositions  of  that  commander 
to  secure  this  object,  one  scheme  was  to  arm  those  of  the 
inhabitants  who  were  well-affected  to  the  British  cause  and 
embody  them  for  their  own  defence.  Ferguson,  now  a lieu- 
tenant-colonel, was  entrusted  with  the  charge  of  marshall- 
ting  the  militia  throughout  the  upper  districts.  Under 
his  direction  and  conduct,  a military  force,  at  once  nu- 
merous and  select,  was  enrolled  and  disciplined.  These 
he  divided  into  two  classes  ; one,  of  the  young  men,  who 
should  be  ready  to  join  the  king’s  troops  to  repel  any  enemy 
that  infested  the  country  ; another,  of  the  aged  and  heads  of 
families,  who  should  unite  in  the  defence  of  their  houses, 
farms  and  neighbourhoods. f 

“ In  completing  this  organization,  Ferguson  had  advanced  to  Ninety- 
Six,  and,  with  a large  body  of  troops,  was,  with  his  usual  vigour  and 
success,  acting  against  small  detachments  of  Americans,  who,  under  all 
the  discouragements  that  surrounded  them,  still  remained  true  to  the 
cause  of  independence,  and  determined  to  maintain  possession  of  the 
country  against  the  overwhelming  force  of  the  British  and  the  royal 
militia.  At  Ninety-Six  Ferguson  received  intelligence  that  a corps  of 
Americans,  under  Col.  Clarke,  had  made  an  attempt  upon  the  British 
post  at  Augusta,  and,  being  repulsed,  was  retreating  by  the  back  settle- 
ments to  North-Carolina.  To  this  information,  the  messenger  further 
added  that  the  commandant  at  Augusta,  Col.  Brown,  intended  to  hang 
upon  the  rear  of  Clarke,  and  urged  Ferguson  to  cut  across  his  route 
and  co-operate  in  intercepting  and  dispersing  his  party.  This  service 
seemed  to  be  perfectly  consistent  with  the  purposes  of  Ferguson’s  expe- 
dition, as  it  would  give  employment  to  his  loyalists,  prevent  the  con- 
centration of  whig  forces,  and  prevent  their  junction  with  Gen.  Gates. 
Clarke  was  able,  however,  to  elude  his  vigilance,  and  was  present,  as 
has  been  seen,  at  the  battle  of  Enoree,  and  assisted  in  that  masterly 
engagement,  and  the  remarkable  retreat  by  which  he  and  his  comrades 


* Bissett. 


f Idem. 


SHELBY  AND  SEVIER  APPEAL  TO  THE  VOLUNTEERS.  225 

escaped  from  Ferguson.  The  pursuit  of  the  retiring  Americans 
brought  Ferguson  so  far  to  the  left  as  to  seem  to  threaten  the  habi- 
tations of  the  hardy  race  that  occupied  and  lived  beyond  the  moun- 
tains. He  was  approaching  the  lair  of  the  lion,  for  many  of  the  fami- 
lies of  the  persecuted  whigs  had  been  deposited  in  this  asylum.”* 

The  refugee  whigs  received  a hearty  welcome  from  their 
hospitable  but  plain  countrymen  on  Watauga  and  Nolli- 
chucky.  The  door  of  every  cabin  was  thrown  open,  and  the 
strangers  felt  at  once  assured  of  kindness,  of  sympathy  and 
assistance.  Among  the  neighbours  of  Sevier  and  Shelby  the 
exiles  from  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia  were  at  home. 

Among  the  refugees,  soon  after,  came  Samuel  Philips,  the 
paroled  prisoner,  by  whom  Ferguson  sent  his  threatening  mes- 
sage as  already  mentioned.  It  reached  Shelby  about  the  last 
of  August.  He  immediately  rode  fifty  or  sixty  miles  to  see 
Sevier,  for  the  purpose  of  concerting  with  him  measures  suited 
to  the  approaching  crisis.  He  remained  with  him  two  days. 
They  came  to  the  determination  to  raise  all  the  riflemen  they 
could,  march  hastily  through  the  mountains  and  endeavour 
to  surprise  Ferguson  in  his  camp.  They  hoped  to  be  able, 
at  least,  to  cripple  him  so  as  to  prevent  his  crossing  the  moun- 
tain in  the  execution  of  his  threat.  The  day  and  the  place 
were  appointed  for  the  rendezvous  of  the  men.  The  time  was 
the  twenty-fifth  day  of  September,  and  the  Sycamore  Shoals, 
on  Watauga,  selected  as  being  the  most  central  point  and 
abounding  most  in  the  necessary  supplies. 

Col.  Sevier,  with  that  intense  earnestness  and  persuasive 
address  for  which  he  was  so  remarkable,  began  at  once  to 
arouse  the  border-men  for  the  projected  enterprise.  In  this 
he  encountered  no  difficulty.  A spirit  of  congenial  heroism 
brought  to  his  standard,  in  a few  days,  more  men  than  it  was 
thought  either  prudent  or  safe  to  withdraw  from  the  settle- 
ments: the  whole  military  force  of  which  was  estimated  at 
considerably  less  than  a thousand  men.  Fully  one  half  of 
that  number  was  necessary  to  man  the  forts  and  stations,  and 
keep  up  scouting  parties  on  the  extreme  frontier.  The  remain- 
der were  immediately  enrolled  for  the  distant  service.  A dif- 
ficulty arose  from  another  source.  Many  of  the  volunteers 


15 


* Johnson. 


226 


PATRIOTISM  OF  MRS.  SEVIER. 


were  unable  to  furnish  suitable  horses  and  equipments.  The 
iron  hand  of  poverty  checked  the  rising  ambition  of  many  a 
valorous  youth,  who 

“had  heard  of  battle, 

And  who  longed  to  follow  to  the  field  some  warlike  chief.” 


“ Here,”  said  Mrs.  S.,  pointing  to  her  son,  not  yet  sixteen 
years  old ; “ Here,  Mr.  Sevier,  is  another  of  our  boys  that 
wants  to  go  with  his  father  and  brother  to  the  war — but  we 
have  no  horse  for  him,  and,  poor  fellow,  it  is  a great  distance 
to  walk.”  Colonel  Sevier  tried  to  borrow  money  on  his  own 
responsibility,  to  fit  out  and  furnish  the  expedition.  But  every 
inhabitant  had  expended  the  last  dollar  in  taking  up  his  land, 
and  all  the  money  of  the  country  was  thus  in  the  hands  of  the 
Entry-taker.  Sevier  waited  upon  that  officer  and  represented 
to  him  that  the  want  of  means  was  likely  to  retard,  and  in 
some  measure  to  frustrate,  his  exertions,  to  carry  out  the  expe- 
dition, and  suggested  to  him  the  use  of  the  public  money  in 
his  hands.  John  Adair,  Esq.,  late  of  Knox  county,  was  the 
Entry-taker,  and  his  reply  was  worthy  of  the  times  and  wor- 
thy of  the  man.  “ Col.  Sevier,  I have  no  authority  by  law  to 
make  that  disposition  of  this  money.  It  belongs  to  the  im- 
poverished treasui’y  of  North-Carolina,  and  I dare  not  appro- 
priate a cent  of  it  to  any  purpose.  But,  if  the  country  is  over- 
run by  the  British,  liberty  is  gone.  Let  the  money  go  too. 
Take  it.  If  the  enemy,  by  its  use,  is  driven  from  the  country, 
lean  trust  that  country  to  justify  and  vindicate  my  conduct. 
Take  it.” 

The  money  was  taken  and  expended  in  the  purchase  of  am- 
munition and  the  necessary  equipments.  Shelby  and  Sevier 
pledged  themselves  to  see  it  refunded,  or  the  act  of  the  Entry- 
taker  legalized  by  the  North-Carolina  legislature.  That  was 
scrupulously  attended  to  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment. 
The  evidence  of  it  is  before  this  writer,  in  the  original  receipt 
now  in  his  possession  : 


“ Rec’d.,  Jan’y.  31st,  1 *7 82,  of  Mr.  John  Adair,  Entry-taker  in  the 
county  of  Sullivan,  twelve  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty-five  dol- 
lars, which  is  placed  to  his  credit  on  the  Treasury  Books. 

Per  Robert  Lanier,  Treas’r. 


1 2,735  Dollars. 


Salisbury  Dist,” 


CO-OPERATION  OF  COLONEL  CAMPBELL. 


227 


Sevier  also  undertook  to  bring  Col.  McDowell  and  other 
field  officers  who  with  their  followers  were  then  in  a state 
of  expatriation  amongst  the  western  settlers,  into  the  measure. 
In  this  he  succeeded  at  once.  All  of  them  had  been  driven 
from  their  homes,  which  were  now  deserted  and  exposed  to 
the  depredations  of  the  disorderly  and  licentious  loyalists  who 
had  joined  the  foreign  enemy.  Most  of  them  had  friends  and 
kindred,  on  whom  Ferguson  and  his  tories  were  even  then 
wreaking  their  vengeance.  These  homes  and  these  friends, 
they  longed  to  rescue  and  protect  from  further  violence  and 
desecration. 

To  Shelby  was  assigned  the  duty  of  securing  the  co-ope- 
ration of  the  riflemen  of  Western  Virginia.  These  had,  in 
many  a past  campaign,  with  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee, 
bivouaced  and  fought  and  triumphed  together  over  a savage 
foe,  and  it  was  now  deemed  essential  to  the  preservation  of 
liberty  and  independence  to  obtain  the  aid  of  these  gallant 
men  in  resisting  the  invasion  of  the  common  country.  Shel- 
by accordingly  hastened  home,  wrote  a letter  to  William 
Campbell,  colonel  commandant  of  Washington  county,  Vir- 
ginia, and  sent  it  by  his  brother,  Moses  Shelby,  to  the  house 
of  Campbell,  a distance  of  forty  miles.  In  this  letter  Col. 
Shelby  stated  what  had  been  determined  on  by  Sevier  and 
himself,  and  urged  Campbell  to  join  them  with  his  regiment. 
That  gallant  officer,  true  to  the  general  cause,  but  most  loyal 
to  Virginia,  replied,  by  the  same  messenger,  that  he  did  not 
approve  of  the  measures  that  had  been  adopted,  and  that  he 
should  pursue  his  original  intention  and  march  his  men  down 
by  way  of  the  Flower  Gap,  and  get  on  the  southern  borders 
of  Virginia,  ready  ta  meet  and  oppose  Lord  Cornwallis  when 
he  approached  that  state.  With  this  answer  Shelby  was 
much  disappointed.  He  was  unwilling  that  the  whole  mili- 
tary force  of  Sullivan  and  Washington  counties  should  be 
taken  upon  the  contemplated  expedition,  and  thus  leave  the 
frontier  exposed  to  attacks  from  the  Cherokees,  from  whom 
they  were  threatened  with,  and  had  good  reason  to  expect, 
an  immediate  invasion.  He,  therefore,  wrote  a second  letter 
and  sent  it  by  the  same  messenger,  immediately  back  to  Col. 
Campbell,  giving  additional  reasons  in  favour  of  the  projected 


228 


THE  CAMP  AT  WATAUGA. 


campaign.  To  this  letter  Campbell  replied  that  he  would 
co-operate  with  his  whole  force. 

Col.  Campbell  commanded  four  hundred  men  from  Vir- 
ginia, Col.  Sevier  two  hundred  and  forty  from  Washington, 
and  Col.  Shelby  two  hundred  and  forty  from  Sullivan  county, 
in  North-Carolina.  The  refugee  whigs  mustered  under  Col. 
McDowell.  All  were  well  mounted,  and  nearly  all  armed 
with  a Deckhard  * rifle. 

The  camp  on  Watauga,  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  September, 
presented  an  animated  spectacle.  With  the  exception  of  the 
few  colonists  on  the  distant  Cumberland,  the  entire  military 
force  of  what  is  now  Tennessee  was  assembled  at  the  Syca- 
more Shoals.  Scarce  a single  gunman  remained,  that  day, 
at  his  own  house.  The  young,  ardent  and  energetic  had 
generally  enrolled  themselves  for  the  campaign  against  Fer- 
guson. The  less  vigorous  and  more  aged,  were  left,  with 
the  inferior  guns,  in  the  settlements  for  their  protection 
against  the  Indians  ; but  all  had  attended  the  rendezvous. 
The  old  men  were  there  to  counsel,  encourage  and  stimulate 
the  youthful  soldier,  and  to  receive,  from  the  colonels,  in- 
structions for  the  defence  of  the  stations  during  their  absence. 
Others  were  there  to  bring,  in  rich  profusion,  the  products 
of  their  farms,  which  were  cheerfully  furnished  gratuitously 
and  without  stint,  to  complete  the  outfit  of  the  expedition. 
Gold  and  silver  they  had  not,  but  subsistence  and  clothing, 
and  equipment  and  the  fiery  charger — anything  the  frontier- 
man  owned,  in  the  cabin,  the  field  or  the  range,  was  offered, 
unostentatiously,  upon  the  altar  of  his  country.  The  wife 
and  the  sister  were  there,  and,  with  a suppressed  sigh,  wit- 
nessed the  departure  of  the  husband  and  the  brother.  And 
there,  too,  were  the  heroic  mothers,  with  a mournful  but 
noble  pride,  to  take  a fond  farewell  of  their  gallant  sons. 

The  sparse  settlements  of  this  frontier  had  never  before 
seen  assembled  together  a concourse  of  people  so  immense 
and  so  evidently  agitated  by  great  excitement.  The  large 

* This  rifle  was  remarkable  for  the  precision  and  distance  of  its  shot.  It  was 
generally  three  feet  six  inches  long,  weighed  about  seven  pounds,  and  ran  about 
seventy  bullets  to  the  pound  of  lead.  It  was  so  called  from  Deckhard,  the  maker, 
in  Lancaster,  Pa.  One  of  them  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  writer. 


CAMPBELL,  SHELBY,  SEVIER  AND  m’dOWELL. 


229 


mass  of  the  assembly  were  volunteer  riflemen,  clad  in  the 
home-spun  of  their  wives  and  sisters,  and  wearing  the 
hunting  shirt  so  characteristic  of  the  back-woods  soldiery, 
and  not  a few  of  them  the  moccasins  of  their  own  manu- 
facture. A few  of  the  officers  were  better  dressed,  but  all 
in  citizens’  clothing.  The  mien  of  Campbell  was  sterm 
authoritative  and  dignified.  .Shelby  was  grave,  taciturn  and 
determined.  Sevier,  vivacious,  ardent,  [impulsive  and  ener- 
getic. McDowell,  moving  about  with  the  ease  and  dignity 
of  a colonial  magistrate,  inspiring  veneration  for  his  virtues 
and  an  indignant  sympathy  for  the  wrongs  of  himself  and 
his  co-exiles.  All  were  completely  wrapt  in  the  absorbing 
subject  of  the  revolutionary  struggle,  then  approaching  its 
acme,  and  threatening  the  homes  and  families  of  the  moun- 
taineers themselves.  Never  did  mountain  recess  contain 
within  it,  a loftier  or  a more  enlarged  patriotism — never  a 
cooler  or  more  determined  co'urage. 

In  the  seclusion  of  their  homes  in  the  West,  many  of  the 
volunteers  had  only  heard  of  war  at  a distance,  and  had 
been  in  undisputed  possession  of  that  independence  for  which 
their  Atlantic  countrymen  were  now  struggling.  The  near 
approach  of  Ferguson  had  awakened  them  from  their  secu- 
rity, and  indignant  at  the  violence  and  depredations  of  his 
followers,  they  were  now  embodied  to  chastise  and  avenge 
them.  This  they  had  done  at  the  suggestion  and  upon  the 
motion  of  their  own  leaders,  without  any  requisition  from 
the  governments  of  America  or  the  officers  of  the  continental 
army.  Indeed,  at  this  moment,  the  American  army  in  the 
South  was  almost  annihilated,  and  the  friends  of  the  Ameri- 
can cause  were  discouraged  and  despondent.  The  British 
were  everywhere  triumphant,  and  the  loyalists,  under  the 
pretence  of  promoting  the  service  of  his  Britannic  Majesty, 
were  in  many  sections  perpetrating  the  greatest  outrage  and 
cruelty  upon  the  whigs.  The  attitude  of  these  volunteer 
detachments  was  as  forlorn  as  it  was  gallant.  At  the  time 
of  their  embodiment,  and  for  several  days  after  they  had 
marched  against  the  enemy,  Hushed  with  recent  victories 
and  confident  of  further  conquest,  it  was  not  known  to  them 
that  a single  armed  corps  of  Americans  was  marshalled  for 


230 


DIVINE  PROTECTION  IMPLORED. 


their  assistance  or  relief.  The  crisis  was,  indeed,  dark  and 
gloomy.  But  indomitable  patriots  were  present,  prepared 
and  willing  to  meet  it.  The  personnel  of  no  army  could  have 
been  better.  There  was  strength,  enterprise,  courage  and 
enthusiasm.  The  ardour  and  impetuosity  and  rashness  of 
youth  were  there,  to  project  and  execute,  with  the  wisdom  of 
mature  age,  to  temper  and  direct  them  ; the  caution  of  the 
father  and  the  irrepressible  daring  of  the  son. 

Without  delay,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  next  day  after 
its  rendezvous  at  Watauga,  the  little  army  was  on  the  march. 
Before  the  troops  left  the  camp,  the  officers  requested  that 
they  should  assemble  for  the  purpose  of  commending  the  army 
to  Divine  protection  and  guidance.  They  promptly  com- 
plied with  the  request.  Prayer,  solemn  and  appropriate,  was 
offered  by  a clergyman  present,  and  the  riflemen  mounted 
their  horses  and  started  on  the^distant  campaign. 

After  leaving  the  rendezvous  at  the  Sycamore  Shoals,  the 
ti’oops  took  up  the  line  of  march : passing  along  the  valley 

o $ of  Gap  Creek,  they  encamped  the  first  night  at  the 
/ mill  of  Mr.  Matthew  Tolbot.  They  pursued  Bright’s 
trace  across  the  Yellow  Mountain.  The  staff  was  incom- 
plete ; rather,  there  was  no  staff ; no  quarter-master,  no 
commissary,  no  surgeon,  no  chaplain.  As  in  all  their  Indian 
campaigns,  being  mounted  and  unencumbered  with  baggage, 
their  motions  were  rapid.  Each  man,  each  officer,  set  out 
with  his  trusty  Deckhard  on  his  shoulder.  “ A shot  pouch, 
a tomahawk,  a knife,  a knapsack  and  a blanket,  completed 
the  outfit.  At  night,  the  earth  afforded  him  a bed  and  the 
heavens  a covering ; the  mountain  stream  quenched  his 
thirst ; while  his  provision  was  procured  from  supplies  ac- 
quired on  the  march  by  his  gun.”  Some  beeves  were  driven 
in  the  rear,  to  furnish  subsistence  while  in  the  settlements, 
but  they  impeded  the  rapidity  of  the  march,  and,  after  the 
first  day,  were  abandoned.  After  passing  the  mountain,  the 
troops,  sparing  the  property  of  the  whigs,  quartered  and 
subsisted  upon  the  tories. 

On  the  second  day,  two  of  the  men  were  missed.  They 
had  deserted,  and  would  doubtless  escape  to  the  enemy,  and 
apprise  them  of  the  approach  of  the  mountain  men,  and  the 


THE  VOLUNTEERS  CROSS  THE  MOUNTAIN. 


231 


route  by  which  the  march  would  be  conducted.  Owing  to 
this  apprehension,  which  was  subsequently  ascertained  to  be 
well  founded,  the  troops,  after  passing  the  top  of  the  Alle- 
ghany, left  the  frequented  trace,  and  turned  to  the  left,  de- 
scending by  a worse  path  than  was  ever  before  travelled  by 
an  army  of  horsemen.  Reaching  the  foot  of  the  mountain, 
they  fell  in  with  Colonel  Cleveland,  of  Wilkes  county,  and 
Colonel  Winston,  of  Surry  county,  North-Carolina,  with  three 
or  four  hundred  men,  who  were  creeping  along  through  the 
woods,  desiring  to  fall  in  with  and  join  any  party  that  might 
be  going  to  oppose  the  enemy. 

After  reaching  the  settled  country  east  of  the  mountain, 
additions  were  constantly  made  to  their  numbers — of  officers 
with  men,  and  of  officers  without  men,  and  of  men  without 
officers  ; some  few  on  horses — most  of  them  on  foot — but 
all  eager  to  find  and  fight  the  enemy. 

The  junction  of  the  party  from  Wilkes  and  Surry  took  place 
about  the  first  of  October.  The  second  day  following  was  so 
wet  that  the  army  could  not  move.  The  delay  was  improved 
by  the  commanding  officers,  meeting,  as  if  by  instinct,  in  the 
evening  and  holding  a council.  At  this  meeting  it  was  deter- 
mined to  send  to  head-quarters,  wherever  it  might  be,  for  a 
general  officer  to  take  the  command  of  the  several  corps  ; and 
that  in  the  meantime  they  would  meet  in  council  every  day 
to  determine  on  the  measures  to  be  pursued.  Col.  Shelby 
was  not  well  satisfied  with  these  regulations  ; and  in  support 
of  his  objections,  observed  to  the  council  that  they  were  then 
in  striking  distance  of  the  enemy,  who  lay  at  that  time'at  Gil- 
bert Town,  sixteen  or  eighteen  miles  distant — that  Ferguson 
would  either  attack  or  avoid  them  until  he  gathered  together 
such  a force  that  they  dared  not  approach.  He  therefore 
advised  that  they  should  act  with  promptness  and  decision, 
and  proposed  that  they  would  appoint  one  of  their  own  num- 
ber to  command  and  march  the  next  day  and  attack  the 
enemy  at  Gilbert  Town.  He  further  proposed  that  Colonel 
Campbell  was  known  to  him  as  a gentleman  of  good  sense 
and  warmly  attached  to  the  cause  of  the  country — was 
the  only  officer  from  Virginia  and  commanded  the  largest 
regiment  in  the  army, — and  that  he  would  accordingly  nomi- 


232 


FERGUSON  LEAVES  GILBERT  TOWN, 


nate  him  as  their  chief.  Shelby  made  this  proposition  for  the 
purpose  of  quieting  the  expectations  of  some  that  Colonel 
McDowell  should  assume  the  command.  He  was  the  senior 
officer  present,  the  army  was  then  in  his  military  district,  and 
he  had  commanded  during  the  past  summer  against  the  same 
enemy— was,  moreover,  a brave  man  and  a decided  friend  to 
the  American  cause.  But  he  was  considered  too  far  advanced 
in  life  and  too  inactive  a man  to  take  charge  of  such  an  enter- 
prise, against  such  an  antagonist  as  was  immediately  before 
them.  McDowell  projiosed  that  he  would  be  the  messenger 
to  go  for  a general  officer.  He  started  immediately,  and  his 
brother,  Joseph  McDowell,  took  command  of  his  men.  On 
his  way,  about  eight  miles  from  camp,  he  fell  in  with  Colonel 
James  Williams,  of  South-Carolina,  and  a number  of  other 
field  officers  from  that  state,  with  near  four  hundred  men. 
The  intelligence  of  this  opportune  reinforcement  McDowell 
communicated  by  express. 

king’s  mountain. 

Gilbert  Town  is  distinguished  as  the  extreme  point  of  British 
invasion  in  the  direction  of  the  home  of  the  mountain  men. 
To  that  place  Ferguson,  in  the  execution  of  his  vain  threat 
to  invade  and  burn  up  their  villages,  had  advanced  and  there 
erected  his  majesty’s  standard,  with  the  double  purpose  of 
securing  the  co-operation  of  the  loyalists  and  of  preventing 
the  rising  and  concentration  of  the  whigs.  At  that  place  he 
received  intelligence  of  the  avalanche  of  indignant  patriotism 
accumulating  along  the  mountain,  and  ready  to  precipitate 
itself  upon  and  overwhelm  his  army.  From  that  place,  en- 
terprising as  he  was,  he  found  it  necessary  to  fall  back  and 
seek  safety  by  a junction  with  the  main  army  of  Cornwallis, 
at  Charlotte.  Every  movement  of  Ferguson,'  from  the  time 
he  left  his  camp  at  Gilbert  Town,  indicated  his  apprehension 
of  the  impending  danger.  He  commanded  the  loyalist  militia, 
he  importuned  them,  he  held  out  the  language  of  promise 
and  of  threatening,  to  stimulate  their  allegiance  and  their 
courage.  He  called  in  vain.  A cloud  was  gathering  upon 
the  mountain,  and  his  loyal  militia  knew  that  it  portended  a 
storm  and  a disastrous  overthrow.  Ferguson  changed  his 


AND  RETIRES  BEFORE  THE  RIFLEMEN. 


233 


language  and  appealed  to  them  in  the  words  of  bitter  reproach 
and  contemptuous  ridicule.  On  his  retreat  he  issued  a circu- 
lar letter  to  the  tory  leaders,  informing  them  of  an  “ inunda- 
tion of  barbarians” — calls  the  patriotic  riflemen  “the  dregs 
of  mankind,”  and  importunes  his  loyalists  thus : “If  you  wish 
to  live  and  bear  the  name  of  men,  grasp  your  arms  in  a mo- 
ment and  run  into  camp.  The  backwater  men  have  crossed 
the  mountain,  McDowell,  Hampton,  Shelby  and  Cleveland 
are  at  their  head — so  that  you  know  what  you  will  have  to 
depend  upon.  If  you  choose  to  be  degraded  for  ever  and  ever 
by  a set  of  mongrels,  say  so  at  once,  and  let  your  women  turn 
their  backs  upon  you  and  look  out  for  real  men  to  protect 
them.” 

Ferguson,  after  breaking  up  his  camp  at  Gilbert  Town,  had 
despatched  Abram  Collins  and Quinn,  to  Lord  Corn- 

wallis, informing  him  of  his  critical  situation  and  begging  a re- 
inforcement. After  despatching  his  letter,  Ferguson  marched, 
on  the  fourth,  over  Alain  Broad  River  to  the  Cow  Pens.  On  the 
fifth  he  continued  his  march  to  Tate’s,  since  Dear’s  Ferry, 
where  he  again  crossed  and  encamped  about  a mile  above. 
On  the  sixth,  he  marched  about  fourteen  miles  and  formed 
his  camp  on  an  eminence,  where  he  waited  for  the  expected 
reinforcements,  of  loyalists  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  of 
regulars  from  the  royal  army.  The  loyalty  of  the  former 
quailed  at  the  approach  of  the  riflemen,  and  in  this  hour  of 
need  their  assistance  was  withheld  ; they  remained  out  of 
Ferguson’s  camp. 

On  Wednesday,  the  fourth  of  October,  the  riflemen  ad- 
vanced to  Gilbert  Town.  But  Ferguson  had  decamped, 
having  permitted  many  of  the  loyalists  to  visit  their  families, 
under  engagement  to  join  him  on  the  shortest  notice. 
In  the  meantime,  he  took  a circuitous  march  through  the 
neighbourhoods,  in  which  the  tories  principally  resided,  to 
gain  time  and  avoid  the  riflemen  until  his  forces  could  be 
collected  and  had  joined  him.  This  retrograde  movement 
betrayed  his  apprehensions,  and  pointed  out  the  necessity  of  a 
vigorous  effort  to  overtake  him.  Having  gained  a know- 
ledge of  his  designs,  the  principal  officers  determined,  in 
council,  to  pursue  him  with  all  possible  despatch.  Accord- 


234 


WILLIAMS,  HAMBRIGHT  AND  CHRONICLE, 


ingly,  two  nights  before  the  action,  the  officers  were  engaged 
all  night  in  selecting  the  best  men,  the  best  horses  and  the 
best  rifles,  and  at  the  dawn  of  day  took  Ferguson’s  trail, 
and  pursued  him  with  nine  hundred  and  ten*  expert  marks- 
men, while  those  on  foot  and  with  weak  horses  were  ordered 
to  follow  on  more  leisurely. 

On  the  pursuit,  the  Americans  passed  near  where  several 
large  parties  of  tones  were  collecting.  At  the  Cow  Pens 
sixty  men  under  Col.  Hambright  and  Major  Chronicle,  of 
Tryon  county,  and  Col.  Williams,  with  the  South-Carolina 
troops,  joined  them.  Here  they  were  informed  that  a body 
of  six  hundred  tories  were  assembled  at  Major  Gibbs’s,  four 
miles  to  their  right,  and  would  join  Ferguson  the  next  day. 
These  they  did  not  take  time  to  molest.  The  riflemen  from 
the  mountains  had  turned  out  to  catch  Ferguson.  He  was 
their  object ; and  for  the  last  thirty-six  hours  of  the  pursuit, 
they  never  alighted  from  their  horses  but  once  to  refresh 
for  an  hour  at  the  Cow  Pens,  although,  the  day  of  the  battle 
was  so  extremely  wet  that  the  men  could  only  keep  their 
guns  dry,  by  wrapping  their  sacks,  blankets  and  hunting 
shirts  around  the  locks,  thus  exposing  their  bodies  to  a 
heavy  and  incessant  rain.  The  trail  every  hour  became 
more  fresh,  and  the  Americans  hurried  with  eagerness  after 
the  prey,  which  they  determined  should  not  escape  their 
grasp.  The  advance  met  some  unarmed  men,  who  were 
fresh  from  Ferguson’s  camp,  a short  halt  was  made,  and 
these  men  were  closely  examined.  From  them  it  was  ascer- 
tained that  the  enemy  was  encamped  three  miles  before 
them,  and  were  to  march  next  morning  to  Lord  Cornwallis’s 
head-quarters;  his  position  was  accurately  described,  and 
the  route  to  the  camp  minutely  given.  Col.  Williams  and 
some  of  his  men  were  well  acquainted  with  the  shape  of  the 
ground  and  the  approaches  to  it. 

It  was  now  after  twelve  o’clock ; the  rain  had  ceased,  the 
clouds  were  passing  off,  the  sun  shone  brightly,  and  nature 
seemed  to  smile  upon  the  enterprise  at  hand.  It  was  deter- 

* I quote  from  the  Shelby  papers  in  my  possession,  and  from  which  many  of 
the  details  of  this  expedition  have  been  derived.  Haywood  has  extracted  from 
them  also. 


JOIN  THR  ARMY,  WHICH  APPROACHES  THE  ENEMY’S  CAMP.  235 

mined  to  march  at  once  upon  the  camp,  and  decide  the  con- 
flict without  further  rest  or  refreshment.  Each  man  was 
ordered  to  “ tie  up  his  over-coat  and  blanket,  throw  the  pri- 
ming out  of  his  pan,  pick  his  touclj-hole,  prime  anew,  ex- 
amine his  bullets,  and  see  that  everything  was  in  readiness 
for  battle.”  While  this  was  being  done  the  officers  agreed 
upon  the  general  plan  of  attack,  which  was  to  surround  the 
eminence  and  make  a simultaneous  assault  upon  every  part 
of  the  camp.  The  men  were  soon  in  their  saddles  and  upon 
their  march.  When  within  a mile  of  the  battle  ground  an 
express  from  Ferguson  was  arrested,  on  whom  was  found  a 
despatch  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  urging  him  to  send  immediate 
reinforcements  and  stating  the  number  under  his  command; 
and  that  he  was  securely  encamped  upon  a hill,  which,  in 
in  honour  of  his  majesty,  he  had  named  King's  Mountain,  and 
that  if  all  the  rebels  out  of  h — 11  should  attack  him,  they  would 
not  drive  him  from  it.  The  contents  of  the  despatch  were, 
with  the  exception  of  the  number  of  the  enemy,  communi- 
cated to  the  riflemen,  the  march  was  resumed,  their  pace 
quickened  and  they  rode  in  a gallop  within  view  of  the  camp 
of  Ferguson. 

A closer  examination  of  the  ground  and  the  position  of  the 
enemy,  demonstrated  the  feasibility  of  the  plan  of  attack 
already  concerted  bjr  the  officers.  More  minute  arrange- 
ments were  immediately  made  and  carried  into  execution. 
It  was  decided  that  the  troops  commanded  by  Winston, 
McDowell,  Sevier,  Shelby  and  Campbell,  being  something 
more  than  half  of  the  whole  number  of  the  assailants,  after 
tying  their  horses  should  file  to  the  right,  and  pass  the  moun- 
tain nearly  out  of  reach  of  the  enemy’s  guns,  and  continue 
around  it  till  they  should  meet  the  rest  of  the  troops  encir- 
cling the  mountain  on  its  other  side,  and  led  by  Hambright 
and  Chronicle,  and  followed  by  Cleveland  and  Williams; 
after  which  each  command  was  to  face  to  the  front,  raise 
the  Indian  war  whoop,  and  advance  upon  the  enemy.  Ac- 
cordingly the  troops  moved  forward,  and  passing  up  a ravine 
between  two  rocky  knolls,  came  in  full  view  of  the  enemy’s 
camp  above  them,  and  about  one  hundred  poles  in  front. 
Here  they  dismounted,  and  having  tied  their  horses,  left  a 


23G 


RIFLEMEN  SURROUND  THE  MOUNTAIN 


small  guard  with  them.  The  right  wing  or  column  was  led 
by  Winston  and  Sevier,  the  left  by  Cleveland  and  Williams; 
the  centre  was  composed  of  Campbell’s  men  on  the  right, 
and  Shelby’s  on  the  left.  In  this  order  each  officer  having 
formed  his  ranks,  led  jjff  at  the  same  time  to  the  position  as- 
signed him,  under  pilots  selected  from  Col.  Williams’s  men, 
who  were  familiar  with  the  ground.  On  its  march  around 
the  mountain,  the  right  column  discovered  that  there  were 
two  gaps  in  the  ridge  at  the  enemy’s  left  flank — one  about 
twenty  poles  from  it,  the  other  fifty.  It  was  decided  to  pass 
through  the  latter.  About  the  time  they  entered  it,  the  enemy 
began  to  fire  upon  them.  The  fire  at  first  did  not  attract 
attention,  until  some  of  Shelby’s  men  being  wounded,  that 
officer  and  McDowell  determined  to  return  the  fire,  and  be- 
fore they  had  crossed  the  ridge,  broke  off  towards  the  enemy, 
through  the  gap  nearest  to  his  camp,  and  discharged  their 
rifles  with  great  effect.  The  rest  of  the  column  under 
Campbell  ascended  the  mountain,  and  poured  in  a deadly 
fire  upon  the  enemy  posted  upon  its  summit.  The  firing  be- 
came so  heavy  as  to  attract  the  attention  of  Ferguson,  who 
immediately  brought  up  a part  of  his  regulars  from  the  other 
end  of  his  line,  and  a brisk  charge  was  made  upon  the  Ame- 
rican right  by  the  British  regulars  and  some  of  the  tories. 
This  charge  pushed  McDowell,  Shelby  and  Campbell,  down 
the  mountain.  At  this  moment,  the  left  column  under  Ham- 
bright,  Chronicle,  Cleveland  and  Williams,  had  driven  in  the 
enemy’s  picquets  at  the  other  extremity  of  the  encampment, 
and  advancing  up  the  mountain,  poured  in  a well  directed 
fire  on  the  enemy  protected  here  by  their  wagons  and  some 
slight  defences,  and  commanded  by  Ferguson  himself.  Du- 
poister,  his  second  in  command,  was  immediately  recalled, 
ordered  into  line  on  the  top  of  the  ridge,  and  directed  to  make 
a charge  with  all  the  regulars  upon  the  Americans  at  that 
end  of  the  encampment.  On  his  passage  to  the  relief  of  Fer- 
guson, Dupoister  received  a galling  fire  from  the  South-Caro- 
linians  under  Williams.  The  regulars  were  soon  rallied, 
made  a desperate  charge,  and  drove  the  riflemen  to  the  foot 
of  the  hill.  Here  Major  Chronicle  fell. 

In  the  meantime,  the  recall  of  Dupoister  from  the  charge 


AND  ATTACK  FERGUSON’S  CAMP. 


237 


at  the  other  extremity  of  the  mountain,  gave  the  appearance 
there  of  a retreat  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  and  the  men 
under  Shelby,  McDowell  and  Campbell,  having  recovered 
from  the  slight  disorganization  produced  by  the  first  charge, 
rallied  to  the  pursuit.  The  cry  was  raised — “ huzza,  boys, 
they  are  retreating  ; come  on  !”  They  advanced  with  great 
firmness  up  the  hill,  almost  to  the  lines  of  the  encampment, 
and  for  some  time  maintained  a deadly  conflict  with  the  tory 
riflemen.  Ferguson,  as  before,  decided  to  resort  again  to  the 
bayonet.  But  the  marksmen  had  so  thinned  the  ranks  of  the 
regulars,  that  the  expedient  was  adopted  of  trimming  the 
handles  of  the  butcher  knives,  and  adapting  them  to  the 
muzzles  of  the  tory  rifles,  and  of  thus  using  them  in  the 
charge.  With  the  number  of  his  bayonets  thus  enlarged, 
Dupoister  returned  to  his  first  position,  and  made  another 
charge.  It  was  short  and  feebly  executed,  and  the  regulars 
returned  within  their  lines. 

About  this  time  the  front  of  the  two  American  columns 
had  met,  and  the  army  of  Ferguson  was  surrounded  by  the 
riflemen.  Their  firing  became  incessant  and  general  in  all 
quarters,  but  especially  at  the  two  ends  of  the  enemy’s  line. 
Sevier  pressed  against  its  centre,  and  was  charged  upon  by 
the  regulars.  The  conflict  here  became  stubborn,  and  drew  to 
it  much  of  the  enemy’s  force.  This  enabled  Shelby  and 
Campbell  to  reach  and  hold  the  crest  of  the  mountain. 

On  all  sides,  now,  the  fire  was  brisk  and  deadly,  and  the 
charges  with  the  bayonet,  though  less  vigorous,  were  fre- 
quent. In  all  cases  where  the  enemy  charged  the  Ameri- 
cans on  one  side  of  the  hill,  those  on  the  other  thought  he 
was  retreating,  and  advanced  near  to  the  summit.  But  in 
all  these  movements,  the  left  of  Ferguson’s  line  was  gradu- 
ally receding,  and  the  Americans  were  plying  their  rifles 
with  terrible  effect.  Ferguson  was  still  in  the  heat  of 
battle  ; with  characteristic  coolness  and  daring,  he  ordered 
Captain  Dupoister  to  reinforce  a position  about  one  hundred 
yards  distant,  with  his  regulars  ; but  before  they  i*eached  it, 
they  were  thinned  too  much  by  the  American  rifles,  to  ren- 
der any  effectual  support.  He  then  ordered  his  cavalry  to 
mount,  with  a view  of  making  a desperate  onset  at  their 


238 


DESPERATE  COURAGE  AND  DEATH  OF  FERGUSON. 


head.  But  these  only  presented  a better  mark  for  the  rifle, 
and  fell  as  fast  as  they  could  mount  their  horses.  He  rode 
from  one  end  of  his  line  to  the  other,  encouraging  his  men 
to  prolong  the  conflict.  With  desperate  courage,  he  passed 
from  one  exposed  point  to  another  of  equal  danger.  He 
carried  in  his  wounded  hand,  a shrill  sounding  silver  whistle, 
whose  signal  was  universally  known  through  the  ranks,  was  of 
immense  service  throughout  the  battle,  and  gave  a kind  of 
ubiquity  to  his  movements.*' 

But  the  Americans  having  reached  the  top  of  the  moun- 
tain, were  gradually  compressing  the  enemy,  and  the  line  of 
Ferguson’s  encampment  was  sensibly  contracted.  A flag 
was  raised  by  the  tories  in  token  of  surrender.  Ferguson 
rode  up  to  it,  and  pulled  it  down.  A second  flag  was  raised 
at  the  other  end  of  the  line.  He  rode  there  too,  and  cut  it 
down  with  his  sword.  He  was  frequently  admonished  by 
Dupoister  to  surrender  ; but  his  proud  spirit  could  not  deign 
to  give  up  to  raw  and  undisciplined  militia.  When  the  se- 
cond flag  was  cut  down,  Dupoister  renewed  his  admonition. 
To  this  he  replied  by  declaring,  he  would  never  surrender  to 
such  a damned  set  of  banditti  as  the  mountain  men.  These 
men,  while  they  admired  the  unyielding  spirit  of  Ferguson,  had 
noticed,  that  whenever  his  voice  or  whistle  was  heard,  the 
enemy  were  inspirited  to  another  rally.  They  believed  that 
while  he  survived,  his  desperate  courage  would  not  permit 
a surrender.  He  fell  soon  after,  and  immediately  expired. 

The  forward  movement  of  all  the  American  columns 
brought  them  to  a level  with  the  enemy’s  guns,  which  here- 
tofore, in  most  instances,  had  overshot  their  heads.  The 
horizontal  fire  of  the  regulars  was  now  considerably  fatal ; 
but  the  rapid  advance  of  the  riflemen  soon  surrounded  both 
them  and  the  tories,  who  being  crowded  close  together,  and 
cooped  up  into  a narrow  space  by  the  surrounding  pressure 
of  the  American  troops,  and  fatally  galled  by  their  incessant 
fire,  lost  all  hope  from  further  resistance.  Dupoister,  who 
succeeded* Ferguson  in  command,  perceiving  that  farther 
struggle  was  in  vain,  raised  the  white  flag,  and  exclaimed 
for  quarters.  A general  cessation  of  the  American  fire  fol- 
lowed ; but  this  cessation  was  not  complete.  Some  of  the 


^Foster. 


colonel  williams’s  heroic  charge. 


239 


young  men  did  not  understand  the  meaning  of  a white  flag  ; 
others  who  did,  knew  that  other  flags  had  been  raised  before, 
and  were  quickly  taken  down  Shelby  halloed  out  to  them 
to  throw  down  their  guns,  as  all  would  understand  that  as  a 
surrender.  This  was  immediately  done.  The  arms  were 
now  lying  in  front  of  the  prisoners,  without  any  orders  how 
to  dispose  of  them.  Col.  Shelby,  seeing  the  facility  with 
which  the  enemy  could  resume  their  guns,  exclaimed  : “ Good 
God  ! what  can  we  do  in  this  confusion  ?”  “ We  can  order 

the  prisoners  from  their  arms,”  said  Sawyers.  “Yes,”  said 
Shelby,  “ that  can  be  done.”  The  prisoners  were  accord- 
ly  marched  to  another  place,  and  there  surrounded  by  a 
double  guard. 

The  battle  of  King’s  Mountain  lasted  about  an  hour.  The 
loss  of  the  enemy  was  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  killed, 
one  hundred  and  eighty  wounded,  seven  hundred  prisoners, 
fifteen  hundred  stand  of  arms,  and  a great  many  horses  and 
wagons  loaded  with  supplies,  and  booty  of  every  kind,  taken 
by  the  plundering  tories  from  the  wealthy  whigs. 

General  Bernard,  an  officer  under  Napoleon,  and  after- 
wards in  the  United  States  Engineer  Service,  on  examining 
the  battle  ground  of  King’s  Mountain,  said  : “The  Ameri- 
cans, by  their  victory  in  that  engagement,  erected  a monu- 
ment to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the  brave  men  who  had 
fallen  there  ; and  the  shape  of  the  hill  itself,  would  be  an 
eternal  monument  of  the  military  genius  and  skill  of  Col. 
Ferguson,  in  selecting  a position  so  well  adapted  for  de- 
fence ; and  that  no  other  plan  of  assault  but  that  pursued  by 
the  mountain  men,  could  have  succeeded  against  him.”* 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  thirty  killed,  and  about 
twice  that  number  wounded.  Of  the  former,  was  Col.  Wil- 
liams of  South-Carolina.  He  fell  a victim  to  the  true  Pal- 
metto spirit,  and  intemperate  eagerness  for  battle.  Towards 
the  close  of  the  engagement,  he  espied  Ferguson  riding 

*The  account  of  the  battle  at  King’s  Mountain,  as  given,  has  been  taken  from 
’the  Shelby  papers,  the  written  statements  of  Generals  Graham  and  Lenoir,  Mr. 
Foster’s  Essay,  and  manuscript  narratives  of  several  of  the  riflemen,  who  partici- 
pated in  it.  The  official  report  has  been  seen  for  the  first  time,  by  this  writer,  in 
“ Wheeler’s  North -Carolina,”  just  out  of  press.  It  is  given  at  page  243. 


240 


MONUMENT  AT  KING’S  MOUNTAIN. 


near  the  line,  and  dashed  towards  him  with  the  gallant  de- 
termination of  a personal  encounter.  “ I will  kill  Fergu- 
son, or  die  in  the  attempt !”  exclaimed  Williams,  and  spur- 
ring his  horse  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy,  received  a bullet 
as  he  crossed  their  line.  He  survived  till  he  heard  that  his 
antagonist  was  killed,  and  his  camp  surrendered  ; and  amidst 
the  shouts  of  victory  by  his  triumphant  countrymen,  said  : 
“ I die  contented,”  and  with  a smile  upon  his  countenance, 
expired. 

Major  Chronicle,  who,  with  Col.  Hambright,  led  the  left 
wing,  was,  in  passing  round  the  end  of  the  mountain,  much 
exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy  above  them,  and  little  more 
than  one  hundred  yards  distant.  He  fell  early  in  the  engage- 
ment, at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  near  the  junction  of  the  two 
streams,  while  gallantly  repulsing  the  British  charge.  A 
plain  monument  attests  the  grateful  remembrance  of  his 
countrymen  It  bears  this  inscription  : 

Sacred 

To  the  memory  of 

MAJOR  WILLIAM  CHRONICLE, 

CAPT  JOHN  MATTOCKS, 

WILLIAM  ROBB, 

AND 

JOHN  BOYD, 

Who  were  killed  at  this  place,  on  the  seventh  day  of  October,  1780, 
fighting  in  defence  of  America. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  monument,  facing  the  battle  ground,  is  in- 
scribed : 

COL.  FERGUSON, 

An  officer  of  his  Britannic  Majesty, 

Was  defeated  and  killed 
At  this  place, 

On  the  7th  day  of 
October,  1780. 

Of  Col.  Campbell’s  regiment,  Lieutenant  Edmondson,  two 
others  of  the  same  name  and  family,  and  ten  of  their  asso- 
ciates in  arms,  were  killed.  The  names  of  the  Virginia  offi- 
cers are  Captains  Dysart,  Colville,  Edmonston,  Beattie  and 
Craig;  Lieutenants (!  Edmonston,  Bowen;  Ensign  Robert 
Campbell,  who  killed  the  British  Adjutant  McGinnis  at  the 
head  of  a charging  party.  Captain  Robert  Edmonston  said 
to  one  of  his  men,  John  McCrosky,  that  he  did  not  like  his 


MINOR  DETAILS  OF  THE  BATTLE. 


-241 


place,  and  broke  forward  to  the  hottest  part  of  the  battle, 
and  there  received  the  charge  of  Dupoister’s  regulars,  dis- 
charged his  rifle,  clubbed’ his  gun,  knocked  the  musket  out 
of  the  hands  of  one  of  the  soldiers,  and  seizing  him  by  the 
neck,  made. him  his  prisoner,  and  brought  him  to  the  foot  of 
the  hill.  Returning  again  to  the  British  line,  he  received  a 
mortal  wound  in  the  breast.  After  the  surrender,  McCrosky 
went  in  search  of  his  captain,  and  told  him  the  battle  was 
over,  and  the  tories  were  defeated.  Edmonston  nodded  satis- 
faction, and  died. 

Of  the  wounded  in  Col.  Shelby’s  regiment,  was  his  bro- 
ther, Moses  Shelby,  who,  in  a bold  attempt  to  storm  the  ene- 
my’s camp,  leaped  upon  one  of  the  wagons  out  of  which  the 
breast- work  was  formed,  and  was  wounded.  Fagan  and 
some  others,  suffered  in  the  same  way.  Col.  Snodgrass,  late 
of  Sullivan  county,  belonged  to  Col.  Shelby’s  regiment.  His 
captains  were  Elliot,  Maxwell  and  Webb ; Lieutenant 
Sawy 

Of  the  regiment  from  Washington  county,  and  commanded 
by  Col.  Sevier,  the  captains  were  his  two  brothers,  Valen- 
tine Sevier,  Robert  Sevier,  Joel  Callahan,  George  Doherty 
and  George  Russell  ; Lieutenant  Isaac  Lane.  Capt.  Robert 
Sevier  was  wounded  in  the  abdomen,  and  died  the  second  or 
third  day  after,  and  was  buried  at  Bright’s. 

Among  the  privates,  were  four  others  of  the  Sevier  family, 
viz  : Abraham  Sevier,  Joseph  Sevier,  and  two  of  Col.  Se- 
vier’s sons,  Joseph  and  James ; the  latter  in  his  sixteenth 
year. 

William  Lenoir  (since  General  Lenoir)  was  a captain  un- 
der Winston.  He  was  encouraging  the  men  who  had  re- 
ceived Dupoister’s  second  charge,  to  load  well,  and  make  a 
bold  push  against  their  assailants,  when  he  received  a slight 
wound  in  his  left  arm,  and  another  in  his  side,  while  a bul- 
let passed  through  his  hair,  just  below  the  tie,  without  touch- 
ing the  skin. 

In  Ferguson’s  possession  was  found,  after  his  defeat,  the 
following  letter  to  him  from  Lieut.  Col.  Cruger,  commanding  at 
Ninety-Six.  The  original  is  mutilated,  and  a few  words  or 
cyphers  are  illegible. 

16 


242  ‘ 


LETTER  IN  CYPHER  FROM  COLONEL  CRUGER. 


“ 96,  Tuesday  Morning,  Oct.  3. 

“ Sir — The  night  before  last  I returned  from  the  Ceded  Lands,  having 
done  that  business  pretty  effectually.  Your  several  letters  I am  now  in 
possession  of.  This  instant  I received  what  you  wrote  the  30th  Septem- 
ber. I shall  repeat for  the  militia  to  turn  out  their 

six  months’  men  ; — clear that  if  you.  get  as 

many  as  will  defend  the  ....  . . from  so  considerable  force 

as  you  understand  is  coming  from  the  mountains,  is  as  many,  in  my 
opinion,  as  in  reason  we  have  a right  to  expect,  Qr.  will  join  you.  Our 
force  of  soldiers  here  does  not  exceed  in  number  what  in  your  last  letter 


is  mentioned to  march  ...  I don’t  see  how 

you  can  possibly the  country  and  its  neighbour- 
hood that  you  . . . nowin.  The  game  from  the  mountains  is  just 


what  I expected.  Am  glad  to  find  you  so  capitally  supported  by  the 
friends  to  government  in  North-Carolina.  I flattered  myself  they  would 
have  been  equal  to  the  mountain  lads,  and  that  no  further  call  for  the 
defensive  would  have  been  on  this  part  of  the  Province.  I begin  to  think 
our  views  for  the  present  rather  large.  We  have  been  led  to  this,  pro- 
bably, in  expecting  too  much  from  the  militia — as,  for  instance,  you  call 
for regiments.  They  are  but  just  T that  number  ; 

“ Farewell believe  me,  very  sincerely  and  with  much  regard,  . 

Dr.  Sir, 

“ Yr.  Very  humb’e  Ser’vt., 

Cruger,  Lieut.  Col.  Com’g.  96. 

Addressed,  “ On  his  Majesty’s  Service, 

Colonel  Ferguson, 

Commanding  Detachment 

Of  his  Majesty’s  Troop,  &c.” 

The  victory  at  King’s  Mountain  was  complete.  Not  one 
of  the  enemy  escaped  during  the  battle  : from  its  commence- 
ment they  were  surrounded  and  could  not  escape.  The  army 
encamped  upon  the  battle  ground  the  night  of  the  seventh. 
They  had  more  prisoners  than  whigs  with  whom  to  guard 
them.  They  were  in  the  neighbourhood  of  several  parties  of 
tories,  and  had  reason  to  expect  that  Tarleton  or  some  rein- 
forcements from  Lord  Cornwallis,  would  attempt  either  to 
pursue  or  intercept  them.  The  next  day  was  the  Sabbath. 
Its  dawn  was  solemnized  by  the  burial  of  the  dead.  This 
mournful  duty  performed,  the  enemy’s  wagons  were  drawn 
by  the  men  across  their  camp  fires,  and  after  they  were  con- 
sumed the  return  march  was  commenced. 

As  there  was  no  other  method  of  transporting  the  arms  that 
had  been  captured,  the  strong  and  healthy  prisoners  were  re- 
quired to  carry  them.  The  flints  were  taken  from  the  locks, 


RIFLEMEN  RETURN  WITH  THE  PRISONERS. 


243 


and  the  most  vigilant  espionage  kept  over  the  prisoners  by 
the  troops,  who  marched  the  whole  day  at  a present.  No 
escape  or  rescue  was  attempted.  At  sundown  they  met  the 
men  they  had  left  on  foot  on  their  hurried  march  to  the  bat- 
tle. The  march  was  continued  pretty  close  to  the  mountain 
till  the  fourteenth,  when  a court-martial  was  held  at  Bicker- 
staff’s  Old  Field,  in  Rutherford  county,  over  some  of  the  pri- 
soners. A few  for  desertion,  others  for  greater  crimes  and 
enormities,  were  convicted  and  sentenced  to  be  hung.  The 
number  brought  under  the  gallows  was  thirty.  Nine  of  these 
only  were  executed.  Among  these  were  Col.  Mills,  a tory 
leader,  and  Captain  Grimes,  a refugee  tory  from  Watauga. 
The  rest  were  respited. 

Apprehending  pursuit  by  Lord  Cornwallis,  whose  head- 
quarters were  close  at  hand  across  the  Catawba,  in  Meck- 
lenburg county,  and  determined  to  escape  with  the  eight 
hundred  prisoners  and  fifteen  hundred  stand  of  arms  taken 
at  King’s  Mountain,  the  colonels  led  off  their  victorious 
troops,  with  their  valuable  spoils,  to  some  place  of  safety  in 
the  direction  of  Virginia.  Sevier  and  his  comrades  from  the 
West  recrossed  the  mountain,  and  remained  in  arms  upon 
their  own  frontier.  Campbell,  Shelby  and  Cleveland,  con- 
tinued the  march,  with  the  prisoners,  in  search  of  some  posi- 
tion of  greater  security.  Passing  through  Hillsboro’,  where 
General  Gates  then  had  his  head-quarters,  these  officers  made 
out  to  that  unfortunate  commander — 

“A  statement  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Western  Army,  from  the  25th 

of  September,  1780,  to  the  reduction  of  Major  Ferguson,  and  the 

army  under  his  command. 

“On  receiving  intelligence  that  Major  Ferguson  had  advanced  as  high 
up  as  Gilbert  Town,  in  Rutherford  county,  and  threatened  to  cross  the 
mountains  to  the  Western  waters,  Col.  William  Campbell,  with  four 
hundred  men  from  Washington  county,  of  Virginia;  Col.  Isaac  Shelby, 
with  two  hundred  and  forty  men  from  Sullivan  county,  North-Carolina, 
and  Lieutenant-Col.  John  Sevier,  with  two  hundred  and  forty  men  from 
Washington  county,  North-Carolina,  assembled  at  Watauga  on  the  25th 
of  September,  where  they  were  joined  by  Col.  Charles  McDowell,  with 
one  hundred  and  sixty  men  from  the  counties  of  Burke  and  Ruther- 
ford, who  had  fled  before  the  enemy  to  the  Western  waters. 

“We  began  our  march  on  the  26th,  and  on  the  30th,  we  were  joined 
by  Col.  Cleveland,  on  the  Catawba  River,  with  three  hundred  and  fifty 
men  from  the  counties  of  Wilkes  and  Surry.  No  one  officer  having 


244 


OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  BATTLE. 


properly  a right  to  the  command-in-chief,  oil  the  1st  of  October  we 
despatched  an  express  to  Major  General  Gates,  informing  him  of  our 
situation,  and  requested  him  to  send  a general  officer  to  take  command 
of  the  whole.  In  the  meantime  Col.  Campbell  was  chosen  to  act  as 
commandant  till  such  general  officer  should  arrive. 

“We  reached  the  Cow  Pens,  on  the  Broad  River,  in  South-Carolina, 
where  we  were  joined  by  Col.  James  Williams,  on  the  evening  of  the 
6th  October,  who  informed  us  that  the  enemy  lay  encamped  somewhere 
near  the  Cherokee  Ford  of  Broad  River,  about  thirty  miles  distant  from 
us.  By  a council  of  the  principal  officers,  it  was  then  thought  advisable 
to  pursue  the  enemy  that  night  with  nine  hundred  of  the  best  horsemen, 
and  leave  the  weak  horses  and  footmen  to  follow  as  fast  as  possible.  We 
began  our  march  with  nine  hundred  of  the  best  men  about  eight  o’clock 
the  same  evening,  marched  all  night,  and  came  up  with  the  enemy 
about  three  o’clock,  P.  M.  of  the  ^th,  who  lay  encamped  on  the  top  of 
King’s  Mountain,  twelve  miles  north  of  the  Cherokee  Ford,  in  the  con- 
fidence they  could  not  be  forced  from  so  advantageous  a post.  Previous 
to  the  attack,  in  our  march  the  following  disposition  was  made  : 

“Col.  Shelby’s  regiment  formed  a column  in  the  centre  on  the  left ; 
Col.  Campbell’s  another  on  the  right ; part  of  Col.  Cleveland’s  regi- 
ment, headed  by  Major  Winston  and  Col.  Sevier’s,  formed  a large 
column  on  the  right  wing ; the  other  part  of  Col.  Cleveland’s  regiment 
composed  the  left  wing.  In  this  order  we  advanced,  and  got  within  a 
quarter  of  a mile  of  the  enemy  before  we  were  discovered.  Col.  Shel- 
by’s and  Col.  Campbell’s  regiments  began  the  attack,  and  kept  up  a fire 
on  the  enemy  while  the  right  and  left  wings  were  advancing  forward  to 
surround  them.  The  engagement  lasted  an  hour  and  five  minutes,  the 
greatest  part  of  which  time  a heavy  and  incessant  fire  was  kept  up  on 
both  sides.  Our  men  in  some  parts  where  the  regulars  fought,  were 
obliged  to  give  way  a small  distance  two  or  three  times,  but  rallied 
and  returned  with  additional  ardour  to  the  attack.  The  troops  upon 
the  right  having  gained  the  summit  of  the  eminence,  obliged  the  enemy 
to  retreat  along  the  top  of  the  ridge  where  Col.  Cleveland  commanded, 
and  were  there  stopped  by  his  brave  men.  A flag  was  immediately 
hoisted  by  Captain  Dupoister,  the  commanding  officer,  (Major  Ferguson 
having  been  killed  a little  before,)  for  a surrender.  Our  fire  immediately 
ceased,  and  the  enemy  laid  down  their  arms — the  greater  part  of  them 
loaded — and  surrendered  themselves  to  us  prisoners  at  discretion.  It 
appears  from  their  own  provision  returns  for  that  day,  found  in  their 
camp,  that  their  whole  force  consisted  of  eleven  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  men,  out  of  which  they  sustained  the  following  loss  : — Of  the  regu- 
lars, one  major,  one  captain,  two  lieutenants  and  fifteen  privates  killed, 
thirty-five  privates  wounded.  Left  on  the  ground,  not  able  to  march, 
two  captains,  four  lieutenants,  three  ensigns,  one  surgeon,  five  sergeants  ; 
three  corporals,  one  drummer  and  fifty-nine  privates  taken  prisoners. 

“Loss  of  the  tories,  two  colonels,  three  captains,  and  two  hundred  and 
one  privates  killed ; one  major  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  pri- 
vates wounded  and  left  on  the  ground  not  able  to  march  ; one  colonel, 
twelve  captains,  eleven  lieutenants,  two  ensigns,  one  quarter-master, 
one  adjutant,  two  commissaries,  eighteen  sergeants  and  six  hundred  pri- 


THE  EXPEDITION  WAS  PATRIOTIC  AND  SUCCESSFUL. 


245 


vates  taken  prisoners.  Total  loss  of 
men  at  King’s  Mountain. 

“Given  under  our  hands  at  camp, 

“The  loss  on  our  side — 

Killed — 1 colonel, 

1  major, 

1 captain, 

2 lieutenants, 

4 ensigns, 

19  privates. 

28  total  killed.” 


le  enemy,  eleven  hundred  and  five 

William  Campbell, 
Isaac  Shelby, 

Benjamin  Cleveland. 

Wounded — 1 major, 

3  captains, 

3 lieutenants, 

53  privates. 

60  total  wounded. 


On  the  10th,  Cornwallis  ordered  Tarleton  to  march  with 
the  light  infantry,  the  British  Legion  and  a three-pounder  to 
assist  Ferguson,  no  certain  intelligence  having  arrived  of  his 
defeat.  Tarleton’s  instructions  directed  him  to  reinforce 
Ferguson  wherever  he  could  find  him,  and  to  draw  his  corps 
to  the  Catawba,  if  after  the  junction  advantage  could  not  be 
obtained  over  the  mountaineers  ; or  upon  the  certainty  of  his 
defeat,  at  all  events,  to  oppose  the  entrance  of  the  victorious 
Americans  into  South-Carolina.  Intelligence  of  Ferguson’s 
defeat  reached  Cornwallis,  and  he  formed  a sudden  determi-' 
nation  to  retreat  from  Charlotte.  Tarleton  was  recalled, 
and  North-Carolina  was  for  the  present  evacuated. 

The  expedition  against  Ferguson  was  chivalric  in  the  ex- 
treme. It  was  undertaken  against  a distinguished  and  skil- 
ful leader,  at  the  head  of  a large  force  which  could  easily  have 
been  doubled.  It  was  composed  of  raw  and  undisciplined 
troops,  hastily  drawn  together,  against  fearful  odds  and 
under  the  most  appalling  discouragements. 

The  expedition  was  also  eminently  patriotic.  When  it 
was  projected,  disaster  and  defeat  had  shrouded  the  South 
with  an  impenetrable  cloud  of  despondence  and  gloom. 
Ruined  expectations  and  blasted  hopes,  hung  like  a pall  over 
the  paralyzed  energies  of  the  friends  of  America. 

The  expedition  was,  moreover,  entirely  successful.  The 
first  object  of  it,  Ferguson,  was  killed  and  his  whole  army 
either  captured  or  destroyed.  This  gave  new  spirit  to  the 
desponding  Americans,  and  frustrated  the  well  concerted 


240 


HUNTING  S1IIRT  OF  THE  VOLUNTEERS. 


scheme  of  strengthening  the  British  army  by  the  tories  in  its 
neighbourhood. 

The  whole  enterprise  reflects  the  highest  honour  upon  the 
patriotism* that  conceived  and  the  courage  that  executed  it. 
Nothing  can  surpass  the  skill  and  gallantry  of  the  officers, 
nothing  the  valour  of  the  men  who  achieved  the  victory. 
The  whole  history  of  the  campaign  demonstrates  that  the 
men  who  undertook  it,  were  not  actuated  by  any  apprehen- 
sion that  Ferguson  would  attempt  the  execution  of  his  idle 
threat  against  themselves.  For,  to  these  mountaineers,  noth- 
ing than  such  a scheme  would  make  prettier  game  for  their 
rifles  ; nothing  more  desirable  than  to  entice  such  an  enemy 
from  his  pleasant  roads,  rich  plantations,  and  gentle  climate, 
with  his  ponderous  baggage,  valuable  armory,  and  the  booty 
and  spoils  of  his  loyalists,  into  the  very  centre  of  their  own 
fastnesses,  to  hang  upon  his  flank,  to  pick  up  his  stragglers, 
to  cut  off  his  foragers,  to  make  short  and  desperate  sallies 
upon  his  camp,  and  finally,  to  make  him  a certain  prey  with- 
out a struggle  and  without  a loss. 

Nor  was  it  the  authority  or  influence  of  the  state,  that  led 
to  this  hazardous  service.  Many  of  them  knew  not  whether 
to  any  or  to  what  state  they  belonged.  Insulated  by  moun- 
tain barriers,  and  in  consequent  seclusion  from  their  Eastern 
friends,  they  were  living  in  the  enjoyment  of  primitive  inde- 
pendence, where  British  taxation  and  aggression  had  not 
reached.  It  was  a gratuitous  patriotism  that  incited  the 
back-woodsmen.  In  those  days,  to  know  that  American 
liberty  was  invaded,  and  that  the  only  apparent  alternative 
in  the  case  was  American  independence  or  subjugation,  was 
enough  to  nerve  their  hearts  to  the  boldest  pulsations  of  free- 
dom, and  ripen  their  purposes  to  the  fullest  determination  of 
putting  down  the  aggressor.* 

From  the  colonels  to  the  privates,  all  of  the  mountain  men 
were  attired  in  hunting  shirts.  Speaking  of  this  costume, 
Mr.  Custis  says : 

“ The  hunting  shirt,  the  emblem  of  the  Revolution,  is  now  banished 
from  the  national  military,  but  still  lingers  among  the  huniers  and  pio- 
neers of  the  Far  West.  This  national  costume  was  adopted  in  the  out- 

* Foster’s  Essay. 


RESULTS  OF  FERGUSOn’.S  DEFEAT. 


247 


set  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  recommended,  by  Washington,  to  the 
army  in  the  most  eventful  period  of  the  war  of  Independence.  It  was 
a favourite  garb  with  many  of  the  officers  of  the  line.  The  British  beheld 
these  sons  of  the  mountain  and  the  forest,  thus  attired,  wuth  wonder  and 
admiration.  Their  hardy  looks,  their  tall  athletic  forms,  their  marching 
in  Indian  file  with  the  light  and  noiseless  step  peculiar  to  their  pursuit  of 
woodland  game,  but  above  all,  to  European  eyes,  their  singular  and 
picturesque  costume,  the  hunting  shirt,  with  its  fringes,  wampum  belts, 
leggins  and  moccasins,  the  tomahawk  and  knife;  these,  with  the  well 
known  death-dealing  aim  of  these  matchless  marksmen,  created,  in  the 
European  military,  a degree  of  awe  and  respect  for  the  hunting  shirt 
which  lasted  with  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  And  should  not  Ameri- 
cans feel  proud  of  the  garb,  and  hail  it  as  national,  in  which  their 
fathers  endured  such  toil  and  privation  in  the  mighty  struggle  for  inde- 
pendence— the  march  across  the  wilderness — the  triumphs  of.  Saratoga 
and  King’s  Mountain  ? But  a little  while,  and,  of  a truth,  the  hunt- 
ing shirt,  the  venerable  emblem  of  the  Revolution,  will  have  disap- 
peared from  among  the  Americans,  and  will  be  found  only  in  museums, 
like  ancient  armour,  exposed  to  the  gaze  of  the  curious.” 

In  Tennessee,  the  hunting  shirt  is  still  worn  by  the  volun- 
teer, and  occasionally  forms  the  costume  of  the  elite  corps 
of  a battalion  or  regiment.  It  once  constituted,  very  com- 
monly, a part  of  the  citizen’s  dress.  It  is  now  seldom  seen 
in  private  life,  though  admirably  adapted  to  the  comeliness, 
convenience  and  comfort  of  the  farmer,  hunter  and  pedes- 
trian. In  all  the  early  campaigns  in  the  West,  and  in  the 
war  of  1812,  the  soldiery  uniformly  wore  it.  Many  of  them 
did  so  in  the  war  with  Mexico,  but  the  volunteer’s  hunting 
shirt  is  evidently  going  out  of  use. 

Important  results  followed  the  defeat  of  Ferguson.  Emis- 
saries* had  been  despatched  to  the  loyalists  on  Deep  and 
Haw  Rivers,  in  advance  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  with  instruc- 
tions to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  act  in  concert  with 
the  British  army.  His  lordship  had  boasted  that  Georgia 
and  South-Carolina  were  subdued,  and  that  North-Carolina 
was  but  the  stepping  block  to  the  conquest  of  Virginia. 
There  was  no  army  south  of  the  Delaware  to  oppose  him. 
In  the  realization  of  this  boast,  he  had  passed  Charlotte  and 
was  advancing  to  Salisbury,  where  he  had  directed  Ferguson 
to  join  him  with  the  three  or  four  thousand  loyalists  in  his 
train.  On  his  route,  Cornwallis  received  the  intelligence  of 


* Steadman. 


248 


Cornwallis’s  rapid  retreat. 


the  catastrophe  at  King’s  Mountain.  Rumour  had  magnified 
the  number  of  the  riflemen,  and  converted  their  return  with 
the  prisoners,  into  a march  upon  himself  with  a force  three 
thousand  strong.  Abandoning,  for  the  present,  his  progress 
northward,  he  ordered  an  immediate  retreat,  marched  all 
night  in  the  utmost  confusion,  crossed  the  Catawba,  and 
retrograded  as  far  as  Winnsboro’,  eighty  or  one  hundred 
miles  in  his  rear.*  There,  for  the  present,  he  confined  his 
operations  to  the  protection  of  the  country  between  Camden 
and  Ninety-Six,  nor  did  he  attempt  to  advance  until  rein- 
forced by  General  Leslie,  three  months  afterwards,  with  two 
thousand  men  from  the  Chesapeake.  In  the  meantime,  the 
whigs  of  North-Carolina,  under  General  W.  L.  Davidson 
and  Captain  W.  R.  Davie,  assembled  in  considerable  force 
at  New  Providence  and  the  Waxaw.  General  Smallwood, 
with  Morgan’s  light  corps,  and  the  Maryland  line,  advanced 
to  the  same  point.  General  Gates,  with  the  shattered  re- 
mains of  his  army  collected  at  Hillsboro’,  also  came  up,  and 
one  thousand  new  levies  from  Virginia,  under  General  Ste- 
phens, also  came  forward.  Of  these,  early  in  December, 
General  Greene  assumed  the  command.  The  cloud  that 
had,  till  the  fall  of  Ferguson,  hung  over  the  whole  South  and 
enveloped  the  country  in  gloom,  was  dispelled,  and  from  that 
moment  the  American  cause  began  to  wear  a more  promi- 
sing aspect. 

Referring  to  the  signal  victory  obtained  at  King’s  Moun- 
tain, Mr.  Jefferson  says:  “ It  was  the  joyful  enunciation  of 
that  turn  in  the  tide  of  success,  that  terminated  the  revolu- 
tionary war  with  the  seal  of  our  independence.” 

The  General  Assembly  of  North-Carolina,  at  its  first  ses- 
sion after  the  defeat  of  Ferguson,  held  at  Halifax,  January 
18,  1781,  passed  a resolution  that  a sword  and  pistols  should 
be  presented  to  both  Shelby  and  Sevier,  as  a testimony  of 
the  great  services  they  had  rendered  to  their  country  on  the 
day  of  this  memorable  defeat.  The  finely  finished  sword, 
thus  presented  by  the  State  of  North-Carolina  to  Colonel 
John  Sevier,  was 'inherited  by  his  son,  the  late  Colonel 

* It  was  upon  this  retreat  of  the  enemy  that  Andrew  Jackson,  then  a boy  of 
fifteen,  received  and  resented  so  manfully,  the  insult  of  a British  officer. 


SWORD  PRESENTED  TO  SEVIER  AND  SHEEBY. 


249 


George  Washington  Sevier,  of  Davidson  county,  and  by  him 
given  to  the  State  of  Tennessee.  It  is  now  in  the  office  of 
Colonel  Ramsey,  Secretary  of  State.  On  one  side  of  the 
handle  is  engraven — % 

STATE  OF  NORTH-CAROLINA 
TO 

COLONEL  JOHN  SEVIER. 

And  upon  the  other  side — 

KING’S  MOUNTAIN, 

7th  October,  1780. 

On  the  third  of  February,  of  the  same  year,  Governor 
Nash  signed  a commission,  appointing  John  Sevier  colonel 
commandant  of  Washington  county.  Theretofore,  he  had 
acted  as  colonel  at  the  spontaneous  desire  of  the  troops  he 
commanded. 

Though  adopted  in  1781,  the  resolve  of  North-Carolina 
was  not  carried  into  execution  till  1813,  when  Governor 
Hawkins  wwote  to  General  Sevier,  under  date, 

Executive  Office,  North-Carolina, 
Raleigh,  I7tk  July,  1813. 

Sir : — In  compliance  with  a resolution  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
this  state,  passed  at  their  last  session,  I have  the  honour  of  tendering 
you  the  sword,  which  this  letter  accompanies,  as  a testimonial  of  the 
distinguished  claim  you  have  upon  the  gratitude  of  the  state  for  your 
gallantry  in  achieving,  with  your  brothers  in  arms,  the  glorious  victory 
over  the  British  forces,  commanded  by  Colonel  Ferguson,  at  the  battle 
of  King’s  Mountain,  on  the  memorable  7th  of  October,  1780.  This 
tribute  of  respect,  though  bestowed  at  a protracted  period,  will  not  be 
considered  the  less  honourable  on  that  account,  when  you  are  informed 
that  it  is  iu  unison  with  a resolution  of  the  General  Assembly,  passed 
in  the  year- 1781,  which,  from  some  cause  not  well  ascertained,  it  is  to 
be  regretted,  was  not  complied  with. 

Permit  me,  sir,  to  make  you  an  expression  of  the  high  gratification 
felt  by  me,  at  being  the  favoured  instrument  to  present  to  you,  in  the 
name  of  the  State  of  North-Carolina,  this  testimonial  of  gratitude,  this 
meed  of  valour,  and  to  remark,  that  contending  as  we  are  at  the  pre- 
sent time,  with  the  same  foe  for  our  just  rights,  the  pleasing  hope  may 
be  entertained,  that  the  valorous  deeds  of  the  heroes  of  our  Revolution 
will  animate  the  soldier  of  the  existing  war,  and  nerve  his  arm,  in  lau- 
dable emulation,  to  like  achievements. 

I beg  you  to  accept  an  assurance  of  the  just  consideration  and  re- 
spect, with  which  I have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  HAWKINS. 


General  John  Sevier. 


250 


LEGISLATURE  CALLS  AGAIN 


Gen.  Sevier  was  at  that  time  a member  of  Congress  from 
the  Knoxville  district,  and  replied  to  Governor  Hawkins  from 
Washington,  acknowledging  the  honour  conferred  on  him  and 
his  brothers  in  arms,  and  specially  the  compliment  to  himself, 
implied  by  the  presentation  of  the  elegant  sword  that  had 
been  handed  to  him  : 

“ With  that  memorable  day,”  alluding  to  the  7th  Oct.,  1780,  “ began 
to  shine  and  beam  forth  the  glorious  prospects  of  our  American  struggle. 

In  those  trying  days  I was  governed  by  love  and  regard 

for  my  common  country,  and  particularly  for  the  state  I then  had  the 
honour  of  serving,  and  in  whose  welfare  and  prosperity  I shall  never 
cease  to  feel  an  interest.  I was  then  ready  to  hazard  everything  dear  to 
man  to  secure  our  Independence.  I am  now  as  willing  to  risk  all  to  re- 

tain.  it It  is  to  be  lamented  that  the  heroes  and  fathers 

of  our  Revolution  have  fallen  into  the  arms  of  old  age  and  death,  and  that 
so  few  of  them  remain  to  benefit  the  country  by  their  advice  or  their  ser- 
vices in  the  field.  . • . . Our  countrymen  must  become  acquainted 

with  the  arts  of  active  warfare,  and  then  I am  proud  in  thinking  they 
will  become  better  soldiers  than  those  of  any  other  nation  on  the  globe, 
and  we  will  soon  be  able  to  meet  the  enemy  at  every  point.” 

We  shall  not  stop  to  dwell  upon  Morgan’s  spirited  affair 
1781  i at  ^ie  Cow  Pens,  nor  Greene’s  masterly  retreat  through 
i North-Carolina  to  Virginia,  nor  the  marches  and  coun- 
ter-marches of  that  prudent  commander  and  his  skilful  anta- 
gonist, Cornwallis.  It  is  sufficient  for  the  purposes  of  these 
annals  to  say,  that  the  authorities  of  North-Carolina  had 
placed  a suitable  estimate  upon  the  services  of  the  Western 
riflemen,  and  now,  when  ther  own  state  was  overrun,  called 
for  their  aid  to  rescue  it  from  foreign  invasion  and  domestic 
outrage.  The  Assembly,  while  in  session  at  Halifax,  turned 
their  eyes  to  Shelby  and  Sevier,  and  rested  their  hopes  upon 
them.  On  the  13th  of  February,  it  was 

“ Resolved , That  Colonel  Isaac  Shelby,  of  Sullivan  county,  and  John 
Sevier,  Esq.,  of  Washington  county,  be  informed  by  this  resolve,  which 
shall  be  communicated  to  them,  that  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State 
are  feelingly  impressed  with  the  very  generous  and  patriotic  services  ren- 
dered by  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  counties,  to  which  their  influence  has 
in  a great  degree  contributed.  And  it  is  earnestly  urged  that  they  would 
press  a continuance  of  the  same  active  exertion ; that  the  state  of  the  coun- 
try is  such  as  to  call  forth  its  utmost  powers  immediately,  in  order  to 
preserve  its  freedom  and  independence.” 

By  the  same  resolutions,  Sevier  and  Shelby  were  requested 


UPON  SHELBY  AND  SEVIER. 


251 


to  procure  again  the  military  co-operation  of  Cols.  Campbell 
and  Preston,  and  their  gallant  riflemen,  from  Virginia. 

Governor  Caswell,  in  communicating  this  resolution,  took 
the  opportunity  of  depicting  to  Shelby  the  melancholy  cir- 
cumstances in  which  North-Carolina  was  involved.  The 
tories  were  in  motion  all  over  the  state— their  footsteps  were 
marked  with  blood,  and  their  path  was  indicated  by  devasta- 
tion and  outrage.  The  British  army  was  advancing,  under 
Cornwallis,  through  the  most  populous  and  fertile  district  of 
the  state,  and  detachments  from  it,  under  different  leaders, 
were  committing  ravages  upon  the  lives  and  property  of  the 
inhabitants.  Under  this  condition  of  things,  the  governor  con- 
jured Shelby  to  return  to  the  relief  of  his  distressed  country. 
Gen.  Greene  also  addressed  to  the  Western  leaders  who  had 
signalized  their  zeal  at  King’s  Mountain,  the  most  earnest  and 
flattering  letters,  reminding  them  of  the  glory  already  acquired 
and  calling  upon  them  to  come  forward  once  more  to  repulse 
the  invaders. 

Col.  Sevier  was  at  this  time,  with  most  of  the  militia  of 
Watauga  and  Nollichucky,  engaged  in  protecting  their  own 
frontier  and  chastising  the  Cherokees,  as  will  be  elsewhere 
narrated.  Neither  of  the  Western  commanders  could,  there- 
fore, go  to  the  assistance  of  General  Greene.  A few  of  the 
pioneers  of  Tennessee,  however,  were  under  his  command 
as  volunteers  at  the  hardly  contested  battle  of  the  fifteenth 
of  March,  at  Guilford  Court  House,  and  are  said  to  have 
behaved  well. 

Could  the  safety  of  the  frontier  allowed  the  entire  com- 
mands of  Shelby  and  Sevier  to  have  joined  the  army  of 
Greene,  the  catastrophe  that  afterwards  overtook  Lord  Corn- 
wallis at  Yorktown,  might  have  overwhelmed  him  at  Guil- 
ford Court  House  ; as  it  can  scarcely  be  doubted  that  the 
battle  of  the  fifteenth  of  March,  with  the  joint  assistance  of  the 
riflemen  from  Watauga  and  Nollichucky,  would  have  re- 
sulted in  the  complete  overthrow  and  capture  of  the  British 
army.  Their  additional  numbers  would  have  made  the 
affair  hard  by  the  field  of  Alamance — the  first  blood  shed  in 
defence  of  American  rights — the  last  great  scene  in  the  drama 
ol  the  Revolution ; and  North-Carolina,  so  early  in  her 


252 


greene’s  descent  on  south-carolina. 


declaration  of  independence,  would  have  contained  the  field 
on  which  that  great  achievement  was  consummated. 

After  the  battle  at  Guilford  Court  House,  Lord  Cornwallis, 
with  his  crippled  army,  retired  to  Wilmington,  and  after  re- 
freshing his  troops  there,  marched  by  way  of  Halifax,  into 
Virginia.  His  precipitate  retreat  from  Deep  River,  to 
which  place  General  Greene  had  followed  and  offered  him 
battle,  induced  that  commander  to  carry  the  war  immedi- 
ately into  South-Carolina. 

By  this  movement  he  hoped  the  enemy  would  be  obliged 
to  follow  him  or  give  up  the  posts  he  held  in  that  state.  In 
the  prosecution  of  this  plan  he  broke  up  his  camp  on  the 
7th  of  April,  and  on  the  nineteenth,  made  his  appearance 
before  Camden.  Lord  Cornwallis  declined  to  follow  him, 
and  directing  the  march  of  his  army  towards  the  Chesa- 
peake, little  expectation  could  be  entertained  of  a reinforce- 
ment from  that  direction,  to  support  Greene  in  his  descent 
upon  South-Carolina.  He  was,  of  course,  compelled  to  de- 
pend upon  the  militia  of  the  three  Southern  States  and  the 
volunteers  from  the  mountain.  Active  measures  were 
promptly  adopted  to  concentrate  these  forces  for  future 
operations.  The  expedition  that  had  been  carried  on  a short 
time  previous  by  the  frontier  militia,  having  liberated  them 
from  the  danger  that  threatened  their  firesides  with 
Cherokee  invasion  and  massacre,  Shelby  and  Sevier  were 
enabled  to  promise  the  assistance  of  the  riflemen.  Greene 
appointed  the  latter  end  of  August,  and  Fort  Granby,  as  the 
time  and  place  of  rendezvous.  The  volunteers  promptly 
obeyed  the  call  of  their  leaders,  and  collected  in  a large  force 
for  the  purpose  of  rescuing  South-Carolina  from  the  enemy. 
They  had  actually  advanced  far  on  their  way  to  Greene’s 
camp,  when  intelligence  reached  them  that  Cornwallis  had 
left  North-Carolina,  and  that  the  American  commander,  by 
cutting  off  the  supplies  between  Camden  and  Charleston,  had 
compelled  Lord  Rawdon  to  evacuate  the  former  place  ; that 
the  post  at  Orangeburg,  Fort  Motte,  another  post  at  Nelson’s 
Ferry,  Fort  Granby  and  Georgetown,  had  in  like  manner 
been  captured  or  evacuated  in  rapid  succession  ; and  that 
Col.  Hampton  had,  with  a party  of  dragoons,  charged  within 


SEVIER  CROSSES  THE  MOUNTAIN. 


253 


five  miles  of  Charleston.  They  learned,  furthermore,  that 
Fort  Cornwallis  at  Augusta,  had  surrendered  to  Pickens  and 
Lee,  assisted  by  the  brave  riflemen  of  Georgia  under  Clarke, 
and  that  the  British  had  retreated  from  their  stronghold  at 
Ninety-Six,  and  had  contracted  their  operations  almost  en- 
tirely within  that  small  extent  of  country  which  is  enclosed 
by  the  Santee,  the  Congaree  and  Edisto  ; and  to  all  this  was 
added,  that  the  enemy  were  driven  into  Charleston.  This 
information  so  changed  the  complexion  of  affairs  in  South- 
Carolina,  as  to  admit  the  return  of  the  mountain  men  to  then- 
homes,  and  Sevier*  accordingly  wrote  to  General  Greene, 
that  as  his  recent  successes  had  rendered  the  services  of  the 
Western  riflemen  unnecessary,  they  had  returned  and  dis- 
banded. It  was  on  account  of  these  considerations,  that  the 
troops  from  the  mountains  of  Tennessee  had  not  the  good 
fortune  to  participate  in  the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  which 
occurred  not  long  after  they  were  disbanded. 

In  the  meantime  Greene  received  information,  through 
General  La  Fayette,  that  Lord  Cornwallis’s  movements  in- 
dicated an  intention  of  retreating  from  the  pursuit  of  the 
allied  army  on  the  Chesapeake  southwardly.  This  intention 
was  supported  by  the  simultaneous  rising  of  all  the  royalists 
in  the  different  sections  of  the  South.  They  began  immedi- 
ately to  assemble  and  renew  their  ravages,  and  to  harass 
the  whigs  in  every  quarter.  At  this  crisis,  and  on  the  six- 
teenth of  September,  General  Greene  wrote  to  Col.  Sevier, 
informing  him  of  the  posture  of  affairs  near  Yorktown,  and 
of  the  suspicions  which  were  entertained  that  Lord  Corn- 
wallis would  endeavour  to  escape  by  marching  back  through 
North-Carolina  to  Charleston ; to  prevent  which,  General 
Greene  begged  that  the  colonel  would  bring  as  large  a 
body  of  riflemen  as  he  could,  and  with  as  much  expedition 
as  was  possible,  and  march  them  to‘  Charlotte.  Sevier 
immediately  raised  two  hundred  mounted  riflemen  in  Wash- 
ington county,  and  marched  with  them  across  the  mountain. 
The  well  affected  in  South-Carolina  were  suffering  extremely 
by  the  cruelties  which  the  tories  were  inflicting  upon  them. 
Sevier  joined  his  forces  to  those  of  General  Marion,  on  the 

* Johnson. 


254 


SEVIF.R  AND  SHELBY  JOIN  MARION, 


Santee,  at  Davis’s  Ferry,  and  contributed  much  to  keep  up 
resistance  to  the  enemy  ; to  raise  the  spirits  of  those  who 
were  friendly  to  the  American  cause,  and  to  afford  protection 
to  those  who  were  in  danger  from  the  infuriated  royalists. 

Lord  Cornwallis  being  now  besieged  in  Yorktown,  and 
his  retreat  through  North-Carolina  being  no  longer  appre- 
hended, General  Greene,  with  a view  of  stopping  the  depre- 
dations of  the  enemy,  who  were  now  committing  their  ra- 
vages in  St.  Stephen’s  Parish,  endeavoured  to  collect  a force 
sufficient  to  drive  them  into  Charleston,  and  only  awaited  for 
the  arrival  of  the  mountain  men  before  he  began  his  opera- 
tions. 

Col.  Shelby  had  also  been  called  upon  by  Greene,  to  bring 
his  regiment  to  his  relief  in  intercepting  Cornwallis,  should 
he  effect  his  escape  from  the  blockade  by  the  French  fleet  in 
the  Chesapeake  bay,  and  attempt  a retreat  through  the  Caro- 
linas.  His  lordship’s  surrender  took  place  on  the  nineteenth 
of  October,  and  the  riflemen  of  Shelby  were  also  attached 
to  Gen.  Marion’s  command  below  on  the  Santee.  To  this 
both  Shelby  and  Sevier  consented  with  some  reluctance. 
Their  men  were  called  out  upon  a pressing  emergency,  which 
no  longer  existed.  They  had  been,  moreover,  enrolled  only 
for  sixty  days.  Much  of  that  time  had  already  expired,  and 
the  contemplated  service  under  Marion  would  take  them 
still  further  from  their  distant  homes.  Besides,  Shelby  was 
a member  of  the  General  Assembly  of  North-Carolina,  from 
Sullivan  county,  and  its  session  at  Salem  took  place  early 
in  December.  Notwithstanding  these  considerations,  they 
promptly  joined  Marion  early  in  November,  with  five  hun- 
dred mounted  riflemen.  With  these  were  associated,  under 
the  command  of  the  same  distinguished  leader,  the  forces  of 
Col.  Mayhem  and  Col.  Horry.  Together  they  formed  a most 
efficient  corps  of  cavalry,  mounted  infantry  and  riflemen. 

The  enemy,  at  that  time  under  General  Stewart,  lay  at  a 
place  called  Ferguson’s  Swamp,  on  the  great  road  leading 
to  Charleston.  General  Marion,  some  weeks  after  the  arrival 
of  the  mountain  men  at  his  camp,  received  information  that 
several  hundred  Hessians,  at  a British  post  near  Monk’s 
Corner,  eight  or  ten  miles  below  the  enemy’s  main  army, 


AND  CAPTURE  A BRITISH  POST. 


255 


were  in  a state  of  mutiny,  and  would  surrender  the  post  to 
any  considerable  American  force  that  might  appear  before 
it,  and  he  soon  determined  to  send  a detachment  to  surprise 
it.  Sevier  and  Shelby  solicited  a command  in  the  detach- 
ment. Marion  moved  down  eight  or  ten  miles,  and  crossed 
over  to  the  south  side  of  the  Santee  River,  from  whence  he 
sent  a detachment  of  five  or  six  hundred  men  to  surprise  the 
post,  the  command  of  which  was  given  to  Col.  Mayhem,  of 
the  South-Caroiina  dragoons.  The  detachment  consisted  of 
parts  of  the  regiments  of  Sevier  and  Shelby,  one  hundred 
and  eighty  of  Mayhem’s  dragoons,  and  twenty  or  thirty 
lowland  militia.  The  line  of  march  was  taken  up  early  in 
the  morning,  and  the  detachment  marched  fastly  through  the 
woods,  crossing  the  main  Charleston  road,  leaving  the  ene- 
my’s main  army  three  or  four  miles  to  the  left ; and  on  the 
evening  of  the  second  day,  struck  the  road  again  leading  to 
Charleston,  about  two  miles  below  the  post  which  it  was  in- 
tended to  surprise.  The  men  lay  all  night  upon  their  arms 
across  the  road,  so  as  to  intercept  the  Hessians  in  case  the 
enemy  had  got  notice  of  the  approach  of  the  Americans,  and 
had  ordered  them  to  Charleston  before  morning.  In  the 
course  of  the  night,  an  orderly  sergeant  from  the  main  Bri- 
tish army  rode  in  among  the  riflemen  and  was  taken  pri- 
soner. No  material  paper  was  found  upon  him  that  night 
(which  was  very  dark)  before  he  made  his  escape,  except 
some  returns,  which  contained  the  strength  of  the  enemy’s 
main  army,  and  their  number  on  the  sick  list,  which  was 
very  great.  As  soon  as  daylight  appeared,  the  detachment 
advanced  to  the  British  post.  'Col.  Mayhem  sent  in  a con- 
fidential individual  to  demand  an  immediate  surrender  of  the 
garrison,  who  returned  in  a few  minutes,  and  reported  that 
the  officer  commanding  would  defend  the  post  to  the  last  ex- 
tremity. Col.  Shelby  immediately  proposed  to  Mayhem  that 
he  would  go  in  himself  and  make  another  effort  to  obtain  a 
surrender.  This  was  readily  assented  to.  On  his  approach 
to  the  garrison,  Shelby  declared  to  the  commander  that  if  he 
was  so  mad  as  to  suffer  the  post  to  be  stormed,  he  might  rest 
assured  that  every  soul  within  should  be  put  to  the  sword, 
for  there  were  several  hundred  mountain  men  at  hand,  who 


256 


RETURN  TO  MARION’S  CAMP. 


would  soon  be  in  with  their  tomahawks  upon  them.  The 
officer  then  inquired  of  Shelby  whether  they  had  any  artil- 
lery. To  which  he  replied,  “we  have  guns  that  will  blow 
you  to  atoms  in  a minute.”  Upon  which  the  British  officer 
said,  “ I suppose  I must  surrender,”  and  immediately  threw 
open  the  gate,  which  Mayhem  saw  and  advanced  up  quickly 
with  the  detachment.  It  was  not  until  this  moment,  that 
another  strong  British  post  was  seen,  five  or  six  hundred 
yards  east  of  the  one  which  had  surrendered.  It  had  been 
built  to  cover  a landing  on  Cooper  River.  It  was  a strong 
brick  house,  erected  at  a very  early  period,  and  known  to 
have  been  calculated  for  defence  as  well  as  comfort.  This 
had  been  enclosed  by  a strong  abbatis,  and  being  on  the 
route  from  Charleston  to  Monk’s  Corner,  had  been  used  by 
the  enemy  as  a stage  for  their  troops  and  convoys,  in  passing 
from  post  to  post.  It  was  sufficiently  capacious  to  cover  a 
party  of  considerable  magnitude,  and  was  unassailable 
by  cavalry,  the  only  force  from  which  sudden  incursions 
could  be  apprehended.*  The  garrison  consisted  of  about 
one  hundred  soldiers  and  forty  or  fifty  dragoons.  These 
immediately  marched  out  as  if  intending  a charge  upon  the 
riflemen.  These,  however,  stood  firm  and  prepared  to  meet 
them.  A party  of  the  horsemen  were  ordered  to  dismount, 
and  approaching  the  abbatis,  appear  and  act  as  infantry, 
while  the  residue  of  that  corps,  headed  by  the  cavalry,  ad- 
vanced boldly  into  the  field  and  demanded  a surrender.  The 
idea  of  resistance  was  abandoned,  and  the  place  surrendered 
at  discretion.  One  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners  were  taken, 
all  of  whom  were  able  to  have  fought  from  the  windows  pf 
the  large  brick  building  and  from  the  abbatis.  Three  hun- 
dred stand  of  arms  were  also  captured,  besides  many  stores 
of  great  value.  Ninety  of  the  prisoners  were  carried  off  on 
horseback  behind  the  mounted  men — the  officers  and  such  of 
the  garrison  as  were  unable  to  march  to  Marion’s  camp,  sixty 
miles  off,  were  paroled.  The  house,  with  its  contents  and 
the  abbatis,  were  consumed. 

General  Stewart,  who  commanded  the  enemy’s  main  army, 
eight  or  ten  miles  above,  made  great  efforts  to  intercept  the 


* Johnson. 


SHELBY  ATTENDS  AT  SALEM. 


257 


Americans  and  rescue  their  prisoners.  But  they  arrived  at 
Marion’s  camp  about  three  o’clock  the  morning  following. 
Before  sunrise,  it  was  announced  in  camp  that  the  whole 
British  army  was  in  the  old  field,  three  miles  off,  at  the  outer 
end  of  the  causeway,  which  led  into  the  camp.  Sevier  and 
Shelby  were  immediately  ordered  out,  with  their  regiments, 
to  attack  the  enemy  if  he  approached  the  swamp,  and  to 
retreat  at  their  own  discretion.  But,  receiving  information 
that  Marion  wras  reinforced  with  a large  body  of  riflemen 
from  the  West,  the  enemy  retreated,  in  great  disorder,  nearly 
to  the  gates  of  Charleston.* 

About  the  28th  of  November,  Col.  Shelby  obtained  leave 
of  absence  from  the  army,  for  the  purpose  of  attending  the 
approaching  session  of  the  Legislature  of  North-Carolina,  of 
which  he  wras  a member.  It  met  early  in  December,  at 
Salem,  nearly  four  hundred  miles  from  the  then  seat  of  war. 
He  had  remained  in  camp  to  the  last  minute  that  would  per- 
mit his  arrival  at  the  seat  of  government  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  session.  Laying  down  the  sword,  and  relin- 
quishing the  duties  of  a commander,  he  left  the  camp  of 
Marion  to  enter  another  field  of  service  and  assume  the 
functions  of  a legislator. 

Col.  Sevier  remained  with  the  mountain  men.  Little  more 
remained  to  be  done  to  bring  the  war  to  a close. 

“John’s  and  James’s  Island,  with  the  city  of  Charleston  and  the 
Neck,  were  now  the  only  footholds  left  to  the  British  of  all  their  con- 
quests in  South-Carolina.  A detachment  of  mounted  infantry  had  been 
left  at  Monk’s  Corner  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  who,  by  means 
of  Cooper  River,  had  free  access,  in  their  boats  and  gallies,  to  that 
neighbourhood.  To  destroy  this  detachment,  in  the  absence  of  Marion, 
a force  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  men  were  transported,  by  water,  from 
Charleston.  The  unexpected  return  of  Marion  enabled  him,  partly,  to 
defeat  their  enterprise.  His  force  did  not  equal  that  which  was  arrayed 
against  him,  but  he,  nevertheless,  resolved  upon  attacking  it.  In  order 
to  detain  the  enemy,  he  despatched  Colonels  Richardson  and  Sevierf 
and  a part  of  Mayhem’s  horse,  with  orders  to  throw  themselves  in  front 
of  the  British  and  engage  them  until  he  should  come  up  with  the  main 
body.  The  order  was  gallantly  executed.  The  British  advance  was 

* The  details  of  this  campaign  of  the  riflemen  to  South-Carolina,  are  taken 
from  Shelby’s  Narrative,  now  before  me.  They  are  also  found  in  Haywood. 

f This  was  probably  Col  Valentine  Sevier.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that 
Col.  John  Sevier  was,  at  this  time,  on  the  frontier  or  in  the  Cherokee  nation. 

17 


258  GOVERNOR  RUTLEDGE  CONVENES  THE  LEGISLATURE. 

charged  and  driven  near  St.  Thomas’s  Muster  House,  by  Captain  Smith) 
of  Mayhem’s  cavalry,  and  their  leader,  Captain  Campbell,  with  several 
others,  fell  in  the  flight,”* 

In  the  meantime,  elections  were  held  and  Governor  Rut- 
ledge convened  the  legislature  of  the  state  at  Jacksonbo- 
rough,  a small  village  about  thirty-five  miles  from  Charles- 
ton. This  event,  which  once  more  restored  the  forms  of 
civil  government  to  South-Carolina,  after  an  interregnum  of 
nearly  two  years,  took  place  in  January,  1782. f It  was  not, 
however,  till  December  14th  that  Charleston  was  evacuated. 
But  that  interim  furnished  little  opportunity  for  military 
adventure  or  achievement.  The  emergency  that  had  called 
the  pioneers  of  Tennessee  from  their  mountain  recesses,  had 
ceased  to  exist,  as  soon  as  the  common  enemy  was  driven  to 
the  environs  of  Charleston,  and  civil  government  established 
in  South-Carolina.  This  being  accomplished,  the  riflemen 
returned  to  their  distant  homes  and  were  disbanded.  They 
felt  a proud  consciousness  of  having  performed  a patriotic 
duty,  and  of  having  rendered  the  country  some  service. 
They  had  rendezvoused  at  the  western  base  of  the  Apala- 
chian  Range — they  had  ascended  its  summit,  and,  precipi- 
tating themselves  upon  the  plains  below,  had  pursued  the 
enemy  to  the  coast  of  the  Atlantic.  They  had  suffered  from 
the  mountain  snow  storm  and  the  miasmata  of  the  low 
grounds  of  the  Santee  and  Edisto.  Toils  and  marches  and 
watches,  by  night  and  by  day,  were  cheerfully  endured,  and 
wherever  the  enemy  could  be  found,  his  post  assaulted  or 
his  abbatis  stormed,  the  backwoodsman  was  there,  ready,  with 
his  spirited  charger,  his  war  whoop  and  his  rifle,  to  execute 
the  purpose  of  his  mission. 

A large  number  of  negroes  and  a vast  amount  of  other 
property,  were  taken  from  Georgia  and  South-Carolina,  and 
carried  away.  But  to  the  honour  of  the  troops  under  Sevier 
and  Shelby,  no  such  captives  or  property  came  with  them  into 
the  country  of  their  residence  ; their  integrity  was  as  little 
impeached  as  their  valour.  J They  came  home  enriched  by  no 
spoils,  stained  with  no  dishonour ; enriched  only  by  an  im- 
perishable fame,  an  undying  renown  and  an  unquestionable 
* Simms.  + Idem.  1 Haywood. 


GOOD  NAME  OF  THE  RIFLEMEN. 


259 


claim  to  the  admiration  and  gratitude  of  their  countrymen 
and  of  posterity.  This  has  been  accorded  to  them  by  a con- 
sent almost  unanimous.  The  authorities  of  the  states  in  whose 
service  they  were  employed,  conceded  it  to  them.  The  offi- 
cers who  commanded  them,  asserted  it  for  them.  The  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  southern  department,  attests  its  validi- 
ty by  inviting  them  to  a second  campaign  under  his  standard. 
The  very  impatience  of  Gen.  Greene  at  their  delay  in  reach- 
ing his  camp  at  the  hour  of  a perilous  conflict,  vouches  for 
the  value  he  placed  upon  their  conduct  and  courage  ; and 
the  regret  expressed  by  that  officer  at  the  retirement  of  Shelby, 
is  itself  an  admission  that  he  considered  the  co-operation  of 
that  leader  and  his  regiment,  as  an  essential  element  in  his 
further  success.  In  the  expression  of  that  regret  no  censure 
is  even  implied.  Though  the  conduct  of  the  riflemen  from 
their  rendezvous  at  Watauga  to  their  return  to  the  frontier, 
has  generally  received  unqualified  eulogy  and  approbation, 
by  one  historian  a single  part  of  it  has  been  censured  and  a 
term  of  reproach  used,  which  shall  not  stain  these  pages,  by 
an  idle  and  profane  and  distasteful  repetition  of  it.  The  wri- 
ter holds  the  memory  of  these  patriot  heroes  in  too  grateful 
veneration,  not  to  repel  an  imputation  upon  their  high-souled 
honour,  the  constancy  of  their  patriotism,  and  the  majesty  and 
steadfastness  of  their  public  virtue.  The  imputation  belongs 
not  to  Tennessee  ; it  contradicts  all  her  past  history  ; it  does 
violence  to  her  very  instincts  ; — she  repudiates,  disclaims  and 
disavows  it. 

The  substance  of  the  censure  alluded  to  is,  that  Shelby  and 
his  men  returned  home  before  the  object  of  the  campaign  was 
accomplished.  An  injustice,  no  doubt  unintentional,  has  been 
thus  inflicted.  These  pages  already  contain  an  ample  vindi- 
cation of  the  mountain  men  from  the  imputation.  Rude,  some 
of  them  may  have  been, — illiterate,  many  of  them  doubtless 
were  ; but  nothing  unpatriotic,  nothing  unmilitary,  nothing 
unsoldiery,  can  be  imputed  to  them  or  their  gallant  leader. 
An  honest  fame  belonged  to  them  through  life.  Let  not  their 
graves  be  desecrated  by  a posthumous  reproach. 

Commenting  upon  the  return  of  the  mountain  men  from 


260 


CIVIL  GOVERNMENT  RESTORED. 


their  campaign  under  Marion,  on  the  Santee,  the  historian 
from  whom  we  quote,  says  : 

“ This  was,  with  some  probability,  attributed  to  the  departure 

of  their  colonel,  Shelby,  who  had  obtained  leave  of  absence.  Something, 
too,  has  been  said  of  the  service  not  being  sufficiently  active  for  their  habits : 
but  reasons  such  as  these,  furnish  a poor  apology  for  soldiers  who,  in  the 
cause  of  their  country’s  liberty,  should  be  well  pleased  to  encounter  any 
sort  of  service  which  it  may  be  the  policy  of  their  commander  to  impose. 
Mahon  had  endeavoured  to  find  them  sufficient  employment.  He  had 
approached  and  defied  the  enemy,  but  could  neither  tempt  nor  provoke 
him  to  leave  his  encampment.  With  numbers  decidedly  inferior,  the 
brave  partizan  was  chagrined  to  find  it  impossible  to  bring  his  enemy 
into  the  field.”* 

And  so  it  continued  to  be  afterwards.  The  enemy  never 
did  again  enter  into  the  field.  Small  foraging  parties  and 
plundering  detachments  occasionally  presented  themselves. 
But  this  was  not  the  entertainment  to  which  the  mountain 
men  had  been  invited.  Something  worthier  of  their  mettle 
had  brought  them  from  their  homes.  Enterprise,  adventure, 
heroism,  was  their  sentiment — achievement  their  purpose. 
Nothing  less  than  to  intercept  Lord  Cornwallis  and  to  cap- 
ture his  army,  was  at  first  the  object  of  their  expedition. 
A “ poor  apology,”  this  disappointment,  produced  by  the  sur- 
render at  Yorktown, — but  yet  involving  in  it  nothing  little 
or  inglorious. 

It  will  be  recollected,  too,  that  the  time  of  their  enrolment 
was  for  sixty  days.  More  than  that  period  had  expired  be- 
fore their  return.  The  southern  enemy  had  been  driven  from 
the  interior  and  was  retiring  within  the  lines  of  Charleston 
and  Savannah,  from  which  the  commander  did  not  expect  to 
drive  him  without  the  co-operation  of  a naval  force.  This 
co-operation  was  impossible.  Civil  government,  too,  was  re- 
instated, and  Marion  and  Mayhem,  and  other  leaders,  like 
Shelby,  obtained  leave  of  absence  from  the  camp  to  assume 
their  legislative  functions;  Reinforcements,  too,  from  the 
army  at  Yorktown,  were  on  their  way  to  the  support  of 
Greene.  The  crisis  was  safely  passed — the  tug  of  the  war 
was  over,  and  the  aid  of  the  Western  riflemen  could  be  no 
longer  needed  in  the  South.  One  half  of  the  guns  and  of  the 


* Simms. 


SEVIER  DESPATCHES  RUSSELL  HOME. 


261 


men  had  been  withdrawn  from  the  exposed  frontier,  across 
the  mountain.  These  were  now  restored  to  it  where  their 
services  were  wanted.  No  further  help  was  afterwards  re- 
quired from  abroad.  The  safety  of  South-Carolina  was  left 
in  the  keeping  of  its  own  citizens.  To  defame  the  mountain 
men  for  their  leaving  it,  is  to  insult  the  native  valour  of  the 
South,  then  and  afterwards,  as  it  still  is,  adequate  to  the 
achievement  of  everything  but  an  impossibility. 

The  results  of  the  campaigns  of  seventeen  hundred  and 

1782  $ eighty  anfi  eighty-one,  sensibly  affected  the  measures 
( of  the  British  ministry,  and  rendered  the  American 

war  unpopular  in  Great  Britain. 

On  the  nineteenth  of  April,  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty- 

1783  f three,  Peace  was  proclaimed  in  the  American  army, 
( by  the  commander-in-chief,  George  Washington,  pre- 
cisely eight  years  from  the  first  day  of  the  effusion  of  blood  at 
Lexington.  For  more  than  that  length  of  time  the  pioneers  of 
Tennessee  had  been  engaged  in  incessant  war.  On  the  tenth 
of  October,  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-four,  their  youth- 
ful heroes,  Shelby  and  Sevier,  flushed  their  maiden  swords 
at  the  battle  of  Ivenhawa,  and  with  little  intermission  there- 
after, were  constantly  engaged  in  guarding  the  settlements 
or  attacking  and  invading  the  savage  enemy.  The  gallant 
and  patriotic  participation  of  the  mountain  men  in  the  revo- 
lutionary struggle,  under  the  same  men,  now  become  leaders, 
has  been  just  related.  To  preserve  the  chain  of  these  trans- 
actions unbroken,  it  has  been  found  necessary  to  depart  from 
the  chronological  order  of  events,  which  has  been  gene- 
rally pursued  in  these  annals.  To  that  order  we  again 
return. 

On  the  return  march  of  the  army  from  King’s  Mountain, 
1780  $ Sevier,  apprehending  an  outbreak  from  the  Cherokees 
( in  the  absence  from  the  frontier  of  so  many  men  and 
guns,  detached  Capt.  Russell  home,  as  soon  as  the  riflemen  with 
the  prisoners  had  safely  crossed  the  Catawba.  Russell  re- 
turned by  a rapid  march,  and  found  that  Sevier’s  apprehen- 
sions were  well  founded.  Two  traders,  Thomas  and  Harlin, 
brought  information  from  the  Cherokee  towns  that  a large 
body  of  .Indians  were  on  the  march  to  assail  the  frontier. 


262 


SEVIER CHEROKEE  EXPEDITION. 


The  men  composing  Capt.  Russell’s  command  continued 
their  organization.  Col.  Sevier  soon  after,  with  his  victo- 
rious companions  in  arms,  reached  their  homes  in  good  time 
to  repel  the  savage  invaders.  Without  a day’s  rest  he  set 
on  foot  another  expedition. 

sevier’s  cherokee  expedition. 

Whilst  the  volunteers  were  being  enrolled  and  equipped 
in  sufficient  numbers  for  the  magnitude  of  the  campaign  he 
contemplated,  Sevier  put  himself  at  the  head  of  about  one 
hundred  men,  principally  of  Captain  Russell’s  and  Captain 
Guess’s  companies,  with  whom  he  set  out  in  advance  of  the 
other  troops.  The  second  night  this  party  camped  upon  Long 
Creek.  Captain  Guess  was  here  sent  forward  with  a small 
body  of  men  to  make  discovery.  On  ascending  a slight 
hill,  they  found  themselves  within  forty  yards  of  a large  In- 
dian force,  before  they  discovered  it.  They  fired  from  their 
horses  and  retreated  to  Sevier’s  camp.  The  Indians  also 
fired,  but  without  effect.  Sevier  prepared  his  command  to 
receive  a night  attack.  Before  dav,  Captain  Pruett  rein- 
forced him  after  a rapid  march,  with  about  seventy  men. 
Thus  reinforced,  Sevier  next  morning  pursued  his  march, 
expecting  every  minute  to  meet  the  enemy.  When  they 
came  to  the  point  at  which  the  spies  had  met  and  fired  upon 
the  Indians,  they  found  traces  of  a large  bod}^  of  them.  They 
had,  in  their  hasty  retreat,  left  one  warrior  who  had  been 
killed  the  evening  before  by  the  spies.  The  pursuit  was 
continued  vigorously  by  the  troops,  who  crossed  French 
Broad  at  the  Big  Island  and  encamped  on  Boyd’s  Creek.  The 
next  day,  early  in  the  morning,  the  advance  guard  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Stinson,  continued  the  march,  and  at 
the  distance  of  three  miles  found  the  encampment  of  the 
enemy  and  their  fires  still  burning.  A reinforcement  was 
immediately  ordered  to  the  front,  and  the  guard  was  directed 
if  it  came  up  with  the  Indians,  to  fire  upon  them  and  retreat, 
and  thus  draw  them  on.  Three-quarters  of  a mile  from  their 
camp,  the  enemy  fired  upon  the  advance  from  an  ambuscade. 
It  returned  the  fire  and  retreated,  and,  as  had  been  antici- 
pated, was  pursued  by  the  enemy  till  it  joined  the  main 


BATTLE  OF  BOYD  S CREEK. 


263 


body.  This  was  formed  into  three  divisions  : the  centre 
commanded  by  Col.  John  Sevier,  the  right  wing  by  Major 
Jesse  Walton,  and  the  left  by  Major  Jonathan  Tipton.  Or- 
ders were  given  that  as  soon  as  the  enemy  should  approach 
the  front,  the  right  wing  should  wheel  to  the  left,  and  the 
left  wing  to  the  right,  and  thus  enclose  them.  In  this  order 
wrere  the  troops  arranged  when  they  met  the  Indians  at  the 
Cedar  Spring,  who  rushed  forward  after  the  guard  with 
great  rapidity,  till  checked  by  the  opposition  of  the  main 
body.  Major  Walton  with  the  right  wing  wheeled  briskly 
to  the  left,  and  performed  the  order  which  he  was  to  execute 
with  precise  accuracy.  But  the  left  wing  moved  to  the  right 
with  less  celerity,  and  when  the  centre  fired  upon  the  In- 
dians, doing  immense  execution,  the  latter  retreated  through 
the  unoccupied  space  left  open  between  the  extremities  of 
the  right  and  left  wings,  and  running  into  a swamp,  escaped 
the  destruction  which  otherwise  seemed  ready  to  involve 
them.  The  victory  was  decisive.  The  loss  of  the  enemy 
amounted  to  twenty-eight  killed  on  the  ground,  and  very 
many  wounded,  who  got  off  without  being  taken.  On  tbe 
side  of  Sevier’s  troops  not  a man  was  even  wounded.  The 
victorious  little  army  then  returned  to  the  Big  Island — after- 
wards called  Sevier’s  Island — and  waited  there  the  arrival  of 
reinforcements  that  promised  to  follow. 

This  prompt  collection  of  troops,  and  rapid  expedition  of 
Sevier,  saved  the  frontier  from  a bloody  invasion.  Had 
he  been  more  tardy,  the  Indians  would  have  reached  the 
settlements,  scattered  themselves  along  the  extended  border, 
driven  them  into  stations,  or  perhaps  massacred  them7  in 
their  cabins  and  fields.  Their  force  was  understood  to  be 
large  and  to  be  well  armed. 

Another  narrative  of  this  engagement  gives  further  details  : 
The  Indians  had  formed  in  a half-moon,  and  lay  concealed 
in  the  grass.  Had  their  stratagem  not  been  discovered,  their 
position,  and  the  shape  of  the  ground,  would  have  enabled 
them  to  enclose  and  overcome  the  horsemen.  Lieutenant 
Lane  and  John  Ward  had  dismounted  for  the  fight,  when 
Sevier,  having  noticed  the  semi-circular  position  of  the  In- 
dians, ordered  a halt,  with  the  purpose  of  engaging  the  two 


264 


COMBAT  BETWEEN  SEVIER  AND  A BRAVE. 


extremes  of  the  Indian  line,  and  keeping  up  the  action  until 
the  other  part  of  his  troops  could  come  up.  Lane  and  his 
comrade,  Ward,  remounted  and  fell  back  upon  Sevier  with- 
out being  hurt,  though  fired  at  by  several  warriors  near 
them.  A brisk  fire  was,  for  a short  time,  kept  up  by  Sevier’s 
party  and  the  nearest  Indians.  The  troops  behind,  hearing 
the  first  fire,  had  quickened  their  pace  and  were  coming  in 
sight.  James  Roddy,  with  about  twenty  men,  quickly  came 
up,  and  soon  after  the  main  body  of  the  troops.  The  Indians 
noticed  this  reinforcement  and  closed  their  lines.  Sevier 
immediately  ordered  the  charge,  which  would  have  been 
still  more  fatal,  but  that  the  pursuit  led  through  a swampy 
branch,  which  impeded  the  progress  of  the  horsemen.  In 
the  charge,  Sevier  was  in  close  pursuit  of  a warrior,  who, 
finding  that  he  would  be  overtaken,  turned  and  fired  at  him. 
The  bullet  cut  the  hair  of  his  temple  without  doing  further 
injury.  Sevier  then  spurred  his  horse  forward  and  attempted 
to  kill  the  Indian  with  his  sword,  having  emptied  his  pistols 
in  the  first  moment  of  the  charge.  The  warrior  parried  the 
licks  from  the  sword  with  his  empty  gun.  The  conflict  was 
becoming  doubtful  between  the  two  combatants  thus  en- 
gaged, when  one  of  the  soldiers,  rather  ungallantly,  came 
up,  shot  the  warrior,  and  decided  the  combat  in  favour  of  his 
commander.  The  horse  of  Adam  Sherrill  threw  his  rider, 
and,  in  the  fall,  some  of  his  ribs  were  broken.  An  Indian 
sprang  upon  him  with  his  tomahawk  drawn.  When  in  the 
act  of  striking,  a ball  from  a comrade’s  rifle  brought  him  to 
the  ground,  and  Sherrill  escaped.  After  a short  pursuit,  the 
Indians  dispersed  into  the  adjoining  highlands  and  knolls, 
where  the  cavalry  could  not  pursue  them.  Of  the  whites 
not  one  was  killed,  and  but  three  seriously  wounded. 

This  battle  of  Boyd’s  Creek  has  always  been  considered 
1780  $ as  one  the  best  fought  battles  in  the  border  war  of 
l Tennessee.  Major  Tipton  was  severely  wounded. 
Besides  the  officers  and  men  already  mentioned  as  having 
participated  in  it,  there  were  Capt.  Landon  Carter,  James 
Sevier,  the  son,  and  Abraham  Sevier,  the  brother,  of  John 
Sevier,  Thomas  Gist,  Abel  Pearson,  James  Hubbard,  Major 
Benj.  Sharp,  Captain  Sami.  Handly,  Col.  Jacob  Brown,  Jere- 


COLONEL  ARTHUR  CAMPBELl’s  REINFORCEMENT. 


2G5 


miah  Jack,  Esq.,  Nathan  Gaun,  Isaac  Taylor  and  George 
Doherty. 

Sevier  remained  but  a few  days  at  his  encampment  on 
French  Broad,  till  he  was  joined  by  Colonel  Arthur  Camp- 
bell, with  his  regiment  from  Virginia,  and  Major  Martin, 
with  his  troops  from  Sullivan  county.  The  army  consisted 
of  seven  hundred  mounted  men.  They  crossed  Little  Ten- 
nessee, three  miles  below  Chota,  since  the  residence  of  Da- 
vid Russell.  The  main  body  of  the  Indians,  having  notice 
of  their  approach,  lay  in  wait  for  them  at  the  principal  ford, 
a mile  below  Chota.  The  imposing  array  of  the  cavalry, 
and  the  fact  of  their  crossing  at  the  lower  ford,  so  discon- 
certed the  Indians,  that  no  attack  was  made  by  them,  nor 
any  attempt  made  to  hinder  the  crossing.  Ascending  the 
opposite  bank,  the  horsemen  saw  a large  party  of  Indians 
on  a neighbouring  eminence,  watching  their  movements. 
These^  on  the  approach  of  the  troops,  retreated  hastily,  and 
escaped.  They  then  pushed  up  to  Chota.  A detachment  of 
sixty  men,  under  command  of  Robert  Campbell,  immediately 
set  off  to  reduce  Chilhowee,  eight  miles  above,  on  the  same 
river.  It  was  found  deserted.  They  burned  it.  The  In- 
dians were  seen  on  the  opposite  shore,  but  beyond  the  reach 
of  their  rifles.  They  returned,  without  loss,  to  the  army. 
Every  town  between  Tennessee  and  Hiwassee  was  reduced 
to  ashes,  the  Indians  flying  before  the  troops.  Near  to  Hi- 
wassee, after  it  was  burned,  an  Indian  warrior  was  surprised 
and  captured.  By  him  a message  was  sent  to  the  Cherokees, 
proposing  terms  of  peace.  But  one  white  man  was  killed 
on  this  expedition — Captain  Elliott,  of  Sullivan.  He  was 
buried  in  an  Indian  hut  at  Tellico,  which  was  burned  over 
his  grave,  to  prevent  the  Indians  from  finding  and  vio- 
lating it. 

At  Tellico,  the  army  was  met  by  Watts  and  Noon  Day, 
who  proposed  terms  of  peace,  which  were  accepted  as  to 
the  villages  contiguous.  Tellico  was  then  a small  town  of 
thirty  or  forty  houses,  built  on  forks  and  poles  and  covered 
with  bark.  They  did  not  destroy  it.  Watts  and  Noon  Day 
accompanied  and  piloted  the  army.  The  Indians  made  no 
hostile  demonstration  till  the  army  had  crossed  Hiwassee, 


26G 


HIWASSEE  EVACUATED. 


when  it  became  necessary  to  place  out  sentinels  around  their 
camps.  Hiwassee  town  was  found  evacuated,  and  the  troops 
saw  but  a single  Indian  warrior,  who  was  placed  upon  the 
summit  of  an  adjoining  ridge,  there  to  beat  a drum  and  give 
other  signals  to  the  Indians  secreted  in  hearing  of  him.  The 
spies  stole  upon  and  shot  him.  The  troops  then  continued 
their  march  southwardly  till  they  came  near  the  Chicka- 
mauga  or  Look  Out  Towns,  when  they  encamped  and  next 
day  marched  into  the  towns.  The  warriors  had  deserted 
them.  The  only  persons  found  there  were  a Captain  Rogers, 
four  negroes,  and  some  Indian  women  and  children.  These 
were  taken  prisoners.  The  warriors  were  dispirited  by  the 
vigorous  defence  of  Sevier  at  the  commencement  of  the 
campaign,  and  never  ventured  again  to  meet  him,  but  se- 
creted themselves  in  the  fastnesses  around  Chickamauga. 
The  troops  killed  all  the  cattle  and  hogs  which  could  be 
found  ; burnt  many  of  the  towns  and  villages,  and  spread 
over  the  face  of  the  country  a general  devastation,  from 
which  the  Indians  could  not  recover  for  several  years.* 

The  march  was  continued  so  low  down  Coosa  as  to  reach 
the  region  of  the  long-leafed  pine  and  cypress  swamps.  Here 
they  began  an  indiscriminate  destruction  of  towns,  houses, 
grain  and  stock.  The  Indians  fled  precipitately.  A few  of 
them  wmre  killed  and  captured.  In  one  of  the  villages  a 
well  dressed  white  man  was  found,  with  papers  in  his  pos- 
session showing  that  he  was  a British  agent.  Attempting  to 
escape,  he  was  shot  and  left  unburied.  The  arm}7  here 
turned  to  the  left,  scouted  among  the  hills,  and  turned  their 
faces  homeward,  killing  and  capturing  several  Indians,  and 
devastating  their  country.  Returning  as  far  as  Chota,  the 
commanders  here  held  a council  with  a large  body  of  the 
Cherokees,  which  lasted  two  days.  Hanging  Maw  made  a 
free  exchange  of  prisoners,  whom  he  had  brought  with  him 

to  the  council.  Among  others,  Jane  and Ireland,  who 

had  been  captured  on  Roane’s  Creek,  were  exchanged.  They 
were  nearly  naked,  and  other  ways  looked  like  Indians.  They 
had  been  wrell  treated,  though  closely  watched  during  their 
captivity.  They  were  frantic  with  joy  at  their  restoration. 

* Haywood. 


NEGOTIATION  AT  CHOTA. 


267 


A peace  was  agreed  upon,  and  the  army  crossing  near  the 
mouth  of  Nine  Mile,  returned  home.  They  found  that  set- 
tlers had  followed  the  route  pursued  by  the  army  as  low  as 
French  Broad,  and  at  every  spring  had  begun  to  erect  their 
cabins. 

Col.  Arthur  Campbell  communicated  to  Governor  Jeffer- 
son a further  account  of  this  expedition,  and  of  the  treaty  of 
peace.  “On  the  25th,  Major  Martin  went  with  a detachment 
to  discover  the  route  by  which  the  enemy  were  flying  off. 
He  surprised  a party  of  the  enemy,  took  one  scalp  and  seven- 
teen horses  loaded  with  clothing,  skins  and  household  lurni- 
ture.  He  discovered  that  most  of  the  fugitives  were  making 
towards  Tellico  and  the  Iliwassee.  On  the  26th,  Major  Tip- 
ton  was  detached  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  mounted  in- 
fantry, with  orders  to  cross  the  river,  dislodge  the  enemy  on 
that  side,  and  destroy  the  town  of  Telassee.  At  the  same 
time  Major  Gilbert  Christian,  with  a like  number  of  foot, 
were  to  patrol  the  hills  south  of  Chilhowee,  and  burn  the 
remaining  part  of  that  town.  This  was  effected,  three  In- 
dians being  killed  and  nine  taken  prisoners.” 

After  completing  the  expedition,  the  leaders  of  it  sent  the 
following  message  to  the 

“ Chiefs  and  Warriors — We  came  into  your  country  to  fight  your 
young  men.  We  have  killed  many  of  them  and  destroyed  your  towns. 
You  know  you  begun  the  war  by  listening  to  the  bad  counsels  of  the 
King  of  England,  and  the  falsehoods  told  you  by  his  agents.  We  are 
now  satisfied  with  what  is  done,  as  it  may  convince  your  nation  that  we 
can  distress  you  much  at  any  time,  when  you  are  so  foolish  as  to  engage 
in  war  against  us.  If  you  desire  peace,  as  we  understand  you  do,  we, 
out  of  pity  to  your  women  and  children,  are  disposed  to  treat  with  you 
on  that  subject. 

“We  therefore  send  you  this  by  one  of  your  young  men,  who  is  our 
prisoner,  to  tell  you,  if  you  are  disposed  to  make  peace,  six  of  your  head 
men  must  come  to  our  agent,  Major  Martin,  at  the  Great  Island,  within 
two  moons,  so  as  to  give  him  time  to  meet  them  with  a flag-guard,  on 
Holston  River,  at  the  boundary  line.  To  the  wives  and  children  of  those 
men  of  your  nation  who  protested  against  the  war,  if  they  are  willing  to 
take  refuge  at  the  Great  Island  until  peace  is  restored,  we  will  give  a 
supply  of  provisions  to  keep  them  alive. 

“ Warriors,  listen  attentively  ! — If  we  receive  no  answer  to  this  mes- 
sage, until  the  time  already  mentioned  expires,  we  shall  then  conclude 
that  you  intend  to  continue  to  be  our  enemies.  We  will  then  be  compelled 
to  send  another  strong  force  into  your  country,  that  will  come  prepared  to 


268 


SEVIER  PENETRATES  TO  TUCKASEJAH. 


remain  in  it,  to  take  possession  of  it  as  a conquered  country,  without  making 
you  any  compensation  for  it. 

“Signed  at  Kai-a-tee,  the  4th  Jan’y.,  1781,  by 

Arthur  Campbell,  Colonel. 

John  Sevier,  Colonel. 

Joseph  Martin,  Agent  and  Major  of  Militia.” 

It  was  not  till  the  ensuing  year  that  a treaty  could  be  con- 
cluded under  a Commission  appointed  by  General  Greene,  as 
commander  of  the  southern  department,  Notwithstanding 
the  overtures  of  the  Indians  sent  by  Col.  Campbell,  of  a dis- 
position to  treat  and  the  prompt  measures  adopted  by  Gene- 
ral Greene  to  negotiate  with  them,  and  the  severe  punish- 
ment that  had  been  so  recently  inflicted  upon  the  Cherokees, 
the  deep  passion  for  war  and  glory  which  constantly  agitates 
the  bosom  of  the  savage,  continued  to  excite  to  further  ag- 
gression and  hostility.  The  emissaries  of  England,  in  the  per- 
sons of  refugee  tories,  were  in  the  Indian  villages,  and  stimu- 
lated to  its  highest  point  their  natural  thirst  for  blood.  It 
was  the  policy  of  the  British  commander,  then  upon  the  sour- 
ces of  the  Yadkin,  to  instigate  the  Cherokees  to  renewed  war- 
fare upon  the  western  frontier,  so  as  to  prevent  the  hardy  in- 
habitants from  crossing  the  mountain  again  and  forcing  him 
to  a second  retreat.  This  policy  succeeded  but  too  well,  and 
occasioned  the  necessity  of  collecting  troops  and  establishing 
garrisons  on  the  frontier. 

But  stationed  troops  were  a most  inadequate  defence.  The 
x \ Indians  stilt  prowled  around  the  more  remote  settle- 
l ments,  and  in  an  unguarded  moment  committed  murder 
and  theft.  Col.  Sevier  suspected  that  the  perpetrators  of  this 
mischief  came  from  some  hostile  towns  in  the  mountain  gorges, 
where  his  troops  had  never  yet  penetrated.  He  collected  toge- 
ther, in  March  of  this  year,  one  hundred  and  thirty  men  in  the 
Greasy  Cove,  and  with  them  he  marched  against  the  Middle 
settlements  of  the  Cherokees.  He  entered  and  took  by  surprise 
the  town  of  Tuckasejah,  on  the  head  waters  of  the  Little  Ten- 
nessee. Fifty  warriors  were  slain  and  fifty  women  and  child- 
ren taken  prisoners.  In  that  vicinity  the  troops  under  Sevier 
burnt  fifteen  or  twenty  towns  and  all  the  granaries  of  com 
they  could  find.  It  was  a hard  and  disagreeable  necessity 
that  led  to  the  adoption  of  these  apparently  cruel  measures. 


MAJOR  MARTIN  SCOURS  CLINCH. 


269 


Still,  nothing  less  would  keep  the  savages  in  their  towns,  or 
prevent  more  cruel  massacres  of  the  whites  upon  the  frontier. 
Sevier  had  but  one  man  killed  at  Tuckasejah,  and  but  one 
wounded,  and  he  recovered.  Ten  of  the  prisoners  resided 
with  Colonel  Sevier  three  years,  and  were  treated  with  hu- 
manity and  kindness.  They  were  afterwards  delivered  to 
Col.  Martin,  and  by  him  restored  to  their  own  nation. 

David  McNabb  was  one  of  the  captains  in  this  expedition. 
The  command  went  up  Cane  Creek,  and  crossed  Ivy  and  S wan- 
nanoa.  Isaac  Thomas,  an  old  Indian  trader,  was  their  pilot. 
The  mountains  were  so  steep  that  the  men  had  to  dismount 
and  le'ad  their  horses.  Before  an  exchange  of  prisoners  was 
effected,  some  of  the  Cherokee  women  and  children  made 
their  escape.  This  campaign  lasted  twenty-nine  days,  and 
was  carried  on  over  a mountainous  section  of  country  never 
before  travelled  by  any  of  the  settlers,  and  scarcely  ever  pass- 
ed through,  even  by  traders  and  hunters.  The  Indians  of  the 
Middle  towns  were  surprised  at  this  unexpected  invasion  of 
Sevier — were  panic  stricken  and  made  little  resistance. 

April  24. — Under  this  date,  Joseph  Martin  writes  from  Long 
. „ \ Island  to  Col.  Sevier  that  he  had  returned  lately  with 

( his  command  of  sixty-five  men  from  an  expedition  on 
Clinch  : that  he  saw  evidences  of  Indians  all  through  his  route : 
had  pursued  them,  but  had  not  had  any  engagement.  On  his 
return  he  turned  south  and  went  across  Clinch,  within  thirty 
miles  of  Chota,  then  turned  up  Holston  and  returned  home. 
He  went  out  with  the  hope  of  finding  the  camp  or  town  of  the 
Hanging  Maw,  but  made  no  discovery  that  led  to  it. 

During  the  summerof  this  year,  a party  of  Cherokees  inva- 
ded the  settlements  then  forming  on  Indian  Creek.  Colonel 
Sevier  again  raised  troops  to  drive  them  off.  With  about 
one  hundred  men  he  marched  from  Washington  county,  cross- 
ed Nollichucky,  and  proceeded  south  of  that  river  to  what  has 
since  been  known  as  the  War  Ford,  near  the  present  town 
of  New  Port.  Crossing  French  Broad  at  that  place,  and  also 
Big  Pigeon  at  the  War  Ford,  he  fell  unexpectedly  upon  the 
trail  of  the  Indians,  surrounded  their  camp,  and  by  a sudden 
fire  killed  seventeen  of  them.  The  rest  fled  and  escaped. 


270 


GOVERNOR  MARTIN’S  ORDER  TO  SEVIER. 


This  affair  was  upon  Indian  Creek,  in  what  is  now  Jefferson 
county. 

Scarcely  were  these  troops  disbanded  when  a letter  was 
received  by  Col.  Sevier  from  Gen.  Greene,  dated  Sept.  10th,  but 
not  received  till  several  weeks  after,  urging  him  to  come  to 
his  standard  Math  his  riflemen,  for  the  purpose  of  intercepting 
Lord  Cornwallis,  should  he  attempt  a retreat  through  the 
Carolinas  to  Charleston.  That  enterprising  officer  had  been 
since  June,  of  1780,  constantly  in  the  field  with  his  regiment, 
in  various  expeditions  against  the  British,  the  loyalists  and 
the  Indians,  and  their  services  were  still  needed  at  home  to 
give  protection  to  the  feeble  settlements  ; but  he  promptly 
complied  with  the  request  of  the  southern  commander,  and 
as  has  been  elsewhere  narrated,  repaired  to  his  camp  about 
the  last  of  October,  and  remained  with  Marion  on  the  Santee 
till  the  enemy  were  driven  to  the  lines  of  Charleston  ; and  the 
period  for  which  his  riflemen  were  enrolled  having  expired, 
he  returned  to  Watauga  and  there  disbanded  his  regiment. 
This  was  early  in  January  of  1782. 

Immigrants  followed  close  upon  the  rear  of  the  army,  and 
began  to  form  settlements  along  the  route  pursued  by  it 
south  of  French  Broad.  The  Cherokees  complained  of  this 
intrusion,  which  brought  from  Governor  Martin  the  following  : 

“Danbury,  Feb.  11,  1782. 
Gov.  Alexander  Martin,  to  Col.  John  Sevier  : 

“ Sir  : I am  distressed  with  the  repeated  complaints  of  the  Indians 
respecting  the  daily  intrusions  of  our  people  on  their  lands  beyond  the 
French  Broad  River.  I beg  you,  sir,  to  prevent  the  injuries  these 
savages  justly  complain  of,  who  are  constantly  imploring  the  protection  of 
the  state  and  appealing  to  its  justice  in  vain.  By  interposing  your  in- 
fluence on  these,  our  unruly  citizens,  I think  will  have  sufiieient  weight, 
without  going  into  extremities  disgraceful  to  them  and  disagreeable  to 
the  state.  You  will,  therefore,  please  to  warn  these  intruders  off  the 
lands  reserved  for  the  Indians  by  the  late  act  of  the  Assembly,  that  they 
remove  immediately,  at  leasflby  the  middle  of  March,  otherwise  they 
will  be  drove  off.  If  you  find  them  still  refractory  at  the  above  time, 
you  will  draw  forth  a body  of  your  militia  on  horseback,  and  pull  down 
their  cabins,  and  drive  them  off,  laying  aside  every  consideration  of 
their  entreaties  to  the  contrary.  You  will  please  to  give  me  the  earliest 
information  of  your  proceedings.  The  Indian  goods  are  not  yet  arrived 
from  Philadelphia,  through  the  inclemency  of  the  late  season ; as  soon  as 


TALK  OF  THE  OLD  TASSEL. 


271 


they  will  be  in  the  State,  1 shall  send  them  to  the  Great  Island  and  hold 
a treaty  with  the  Cherokees. 

The  Cherokees  of  the  Upper  Towns  continued  to  complain 
and  remonstrate. 

“ A Talk  to  Colonel  Joseph  Martin,  by  the  Old  Tassel,  in  Ckota,  the 
25th  of  September,  1782,  in  favour  of  the  whole  nation.  For  His  Ex- 
cellency, the  Governor  of  North-Carolina.  Present,  all  the  chiefs  of  the 
friendly  towns  and  a number  of  young  men. 

Brother : I am  now  going  to  speak  to  you.  I hope  you  will  listen  to 
me.  A string.  I intended  to  come  this  fall  and  see  you,  hut  there  was 
such  confusion  in  our  country,  I thought  it  best  for  me  to  stay  at  home 
and  send  my  Talks  by  our  friend  Colonel  Martin,  who  promises  to  de- 
liver them  safe  to  you.  We  are  a poor  distressed  people,  that  is,  in 
great  trouble,  and  we  hope  our  elder  brother  will  take  pity  on  us  and 
do  us  justice.  Your  people  from  Nollichucky  are  daily  pushing  us  out 
of  our  lands.  We  have  no  place  to  hunt  on.  Your  people  have  built 
houses  within  one  day’s  walk  of  our  towns.  We  don’t  want  to  quarrel 
with  our  elder  brother  ; we,  therefore,  hope  our  elder  brother  will  not 
take  our  lands  from  us,  that  the  Great  Man  above  gave  us.  He  made 
you  and  he  made  us ; we  are  all  his  children,  and  we  hope  our  elder 
brother  will  take  pity  on  us,  and  not  take  our  lands  from  us  that  our 
father  gave  us,  because  he  is  stronger  than  we  are.  We  are  the  first 
people  that  ever  lived  on  this  land  ; it  is  ours,  and  why  will  our  elder 
brother  take  it  from  us  ? It  is  true,  some  time  past,  the  people  over  the 
great  water  persuaded  some  of  our  young  men  to  do  some  mischief  to  our 
elder  brother,  which  our  principal  men  were  sorry  for.  But  you  our 
elder  brothers  come  to  our  towns  and  took  satisfaction,  and  then  sent 
for  us  to  come  and  treat  with  you,  which  we  did.  Then  our  elder 
brother  promised  to  have  the  line  run  between  us  agreeable  to  the  first 
treaty,  and  all  that  should  be  found  over  the  line  should  be  moved  off. 
But  it  is  not  done  yet.  We  have  done  nothing  to  offend  our  elder 
brother  since  the  last  treaty,  and  why  should  our  elder  brother  want  to 
quarrel  with  us  ? We  have  sent  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia  on  the  same 
subject.  We  hope  that  between  you  both,  you  will  take  pity  on  your 
younger  brother,  and  send  Colonel  Sevier,  who  is  a good  man,  to  have  all 
your  people  moved  off  our  land.  I should  say  a great  deal  more,  but 
our  friend,  Colonel  Martin,  knows  all  our  grievances,  and  he  can  inform 
you.  A string.” 

The  old  Tassel  of  Chota  did  not  represent  the  feelings  of 
^ the  great  body  of  the  Cherokees,  who  still  retained 
l their  deep-seated  animosities  against  the  whites,  and 
in  September,  of  this  year,  were  hurried,  by  a revengeful 
spirit,  against  the  frontiers.  The  Chickamauga  Indians  were 
the  least  placable  of  the  Cherokee  nation,  and,  imparting 
their  hostile  feelings  to  some  of  the  Lower  Towns,  and  also 


272 


SEVIER  INVADES  THE  CHEROKEES. 


to  some  of  the  Creeks,  they  united  together  and  again  began 
their  work  of  murder  and  depredation  upon  the  more  ex- 
posed neighbourhoods.  Some  white  men  were  killed  and 
much  property  stolen.  Colonel  Sevier  immediately  sum- 
moned to  his  standard  a hundred  men  from  Washington 
county,  and  was  joined  by  Colonel  Anderson,  with  nearly  as 
many  volunteers,  from  Sullivan.  These  troops  rendezvoused 
at  the  Big  Island,  on  French  Broad,  and  from  that  place 
marched  towards  the  towns  of  the  enemy.  The  officers  in 
this  expedition  were  Jonathan  Tipton  and  James  Hubbard, 
majors ; and  Mr.  Green  and  others,  captains.  The  night 
after  they  left  the  Big  Island,  they  camped  upon  Elijah* 
Creek,  at  a place  now  known  as  McTeer’s  Mills.  They 
crossed  Little  River  the  second  day,  and  camped  upon  Nine- 
Mile  Creek.  The  third  day  they  crossed  the  Tennessee 
River  at  Citico,  and  there  held  a council  with  the  friendly 
Indians,  at  which  was  present  the  Hanging  Maw.  They 
engaged  to  continue  the  existing  peace.  Here,  also,  John 
Watts,  who  afterwards  became  a distinguished  chief  in  his 
tribe,  was  engaged  to  accompany  the  expedition,  to  effect, 
by  friendly  negotiation,  an  arrangement  for  peace  with  the 
entire  nation.  On  the  fifth  day  they  crossed  the  Tellico,  on 
the  Hiwassee  trace.  On  the  sixth  day  they  encamped  on 
the  Hiwassee  River,  above  what  is  now  called  “ The  former 
Agency.”  Crossing  that  stream,  on  the  seventh  day,  they 
encamped  at  an  Indian  town  upon  the  opposite  bank.  There 
they  entered  upon  the  territory  of  the  hostile  Indians.  Thence 
they  marched,  immediately,  against  Vann’s  Towns,  and  re- 
duced them  to  ashes.  Thence  to  Bull  Town,  on  the  head  of 
Chickamauga  Creek.  The  troops  destroyed  the  town,  and 
marched,  thirty  miles,  to  Coosa  River.  Near  a village,  on 
that  stream,  they  killed  a white  man,  who  called  himself 
Clements.  In  his  possession  were  found  papers  which 
showed  that  he  had  been  a British  sergeant ; he  was  then 
living  with  an  Indian  woman,  Nancy  Coody,  and,  it  was 
believed,  had  instigated  the  warriors  of  her  town  to  main- 
tain their  hostile  attitude.  Bean,  one  of  the  soldiers,  shot 
him  dead.  The  troops  then  marched  to  Spring  Frog  Town, 
* Elijah — Anglice,  Owl  Creek. 


JACK  AND  RANKIN  GO  TO  COIATEE. 


273 


thence  up  Coosa  to  Estanaula,  which  they  destroyed.  After 
killing  all  the  warriors  they  could  find,  and  burning  their 
villages,  the  troops  returned,  by  the  Old  Hiwassee  Towns, 
to  Chota,  on  the  Tennessee  River.  Here  another  council 
was  held  with  the  friendly  Indians,  and  the  troops  returned 
home  by  the  same  route  they  had  gone.* 

During  the  infancy  of  the  settlements  on  Nollichucky,  corn 
had  become  scarce,  and  availing  themselves  of  a short  sus- 
pension of  hostilities,  Jeremiah  Jack  and  William  Rankin, 
of  Greene  county,  descended  the  river  in  a canoe,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  bartering  with  the  Indians  for  corn.  They  reached 
Coiatee  without  interruption.  The  warriors  of  that  place 
refused  to  exchange  or  sell  the  corn,  and  manifested  other 
signs  of  suspicion,  if  not  of  open  enmity.  They  entered  the 
canoe  and  lifted  up  some  wearing  apparel  lying  in  it,  and 
which  covered  their  rifles.  This  discovery  increased  the  un- 
willingness of  the  Indians  to  trade,  and  they  began  to  show 
a disposition  to  offer  violence  to  their  white  visitants.  The 
beloved  woman,  Nancy  Ward,  was  happily  present,  and  was 
able  by  her  commanding  influence  to  appease  their  wrath, 
and  to  bring  about  friendly  feelings  between  the  parties. 
The  little  Indians  were  soon  clad  in  the  home  made  vest- 
ments brought  by  the  traders — the  canoe  was  filled  with  corn, 
and  the  white  men  started  on  their  return  voyage  well  pleased 
with  the  exchange  they  had  made,  and  especially  with  the 
kind  offices  of  the  beloved  woman. 

On  their  return,  the  white  men  landed  and  camped  one  night, 
a mile  above  the  mouth  of  French  Broad,  on  the  north  bank  of 
the  little  sluice  of  that  river.  Mr.  Jack  was  so  well  pleased 
with  the  place,  that  he  afterwards  selected  it  as  his  future 
residence,  and  actually  settled  and  improved  it  on  his  emi- 
gration to  the  present  Knox  county,  in  1787. 

The  district  of  Salisbury,  by  Act  of  Assembly,  was  divi- 
ded, and  the  counties  of  Berke,  Wilkes,  Rutherford,  Lincoln, 
Washington  and  Sullivan,  erected  into  the  district  of  Mor- 
gan. 

A Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  and  General  Gaol  Deli- 
very, was  provided  to  be  held  by  one  of  the  Judges,  at  Jones- 

* Haywood. 


18 


274 


CAPTAIN  WHITE  PROMOTES  PEACE. 


boro’,  for  Washington  and  Sullivan  counties.  This  was  done 
on  account  of  “ the  extensive  mountains  that  lie  desolate 
between  the  inhabited  parts  of  Washington,  and  the  inhabi- 
ted parts  of  Berke  counties.” 

“ At  a Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  and  General  Gaol  Deli- 
very, for  the  counties  of  Washington  and  ■Sullivan,  begun 
and  held  on  the  15th  of  August,  1782.  Present,  the  Hon. 
Spruce  McCay,  E.sq.  Waightstill  Avery,  Esq.,  was  appointed 
Attorney  for  the  State,  and  John  Sevier,  Clerk.” 

“1782,  February  Term.  William  Cocke  was  admitted  to 
practice  Law.  1783,  November  Court,  F.  A.  Ramsey  quali- 
fied as  Surveyor.”* 

The  peace  procured  by  the  several  campaigns  already 
mentioned,  was  momentarily  interrupted  by  the  conduct  of 
James  Hubbard,  and  a comrade  no  less  wicked  and  reckless. 
They  were  shooting  at  a mark  wilh  two  Indians.  During 
the  shooting  one  of  the  warriors  was  killed — the  other  es- 
cap  d and  fled  to  the  nation.  It  was  believed  that  Hubbard 
had  killed  the  Indian  designedly,  and  that  a border  war 
would  be  the  consequence.  The  settlers  assembled  together 
at  Henry’s,  near  the  mouth  of  Dumplin,  and  there  built  a 
station.  A half  breed  passing  through  the  neighbourhood, 
was  requested  to  procure  a friendly  conference  between  his 
exasperated  countrymen  and  the  settlers.  The  conference 
was  held  at  Gist’s,  now  Underwood’s.  Six  or  eight  Chero- 
kees  attended  there,  having  crossed  the  river  at  Henry’s. 
Soon  after  their  arrival,  Hubbard  and  a gang  of  mischievous 
associates  came  in.  They  had  been  way-laying  the  Indians 
on  the  other  side  of  French  Broad,  and  having  missed  them, 
followed  on  to  Gist’s.  For  fear  of  further  mischief,  the  In- 
dians were  kept  in  the  centre  of  the  white  men  in  attendance. 
Hubbard,  desirous  of  another  outbreak,  slipped  up  to  one  of 
the  Indians  and  whispered  to  him  to  run,  as  the  whites  in- 
tended to  kill  them.  Captain  James  White  told  him  to  re- 
main and  they  would  protect  them.  Thus  reassured,  the 
Indians  remained — the.  conference  was  held — the  difficulty 
was  satisfactorily  adjusted  and  peace  prolonged. 

The  acquisition  of  territory,  made  from  time  to  time,  by 
* Court  Records. 


CHEROKEE  BOUNDARY  FIXED. 


275 


leases,  purchases  and  treaties,  from  the  Cherokees,  had  uni- 
formly been  small.  The  wisdom  of  this  policy  was  seen  in 
every  step  in  the  growth  and  enlargement  of  the  frontier 
settlements.  The  lease  to  Robertson,  of  the  Watauga  colo- 
ny, confined  that  infant  settlement  to  a limited  area,  which 
took  at  first,  and  retained  for  some  time  afterwards,  a com- 
pact form,  that  favoured  defence  and  gave  an  easier  protec- 
tion from  Indian  aggression.  The  same  may  be  said  of 
other  leases  and  purchases.  Had  relinquishments  of  larger 
extent  of  territory  been  obtained,  the  adventurous  disposition 
of  the  settlers  would  have  led  them  so  far  into  the  wilder- 
ness, and  spread  them  over  so  large  a section  of  country, 
as  to  have  deprived  them  of  mutual  protection  in  times  of 
war  and  danger.  The  first  ten  years  of  its  existence,  the 
young  community  west  of  the  mountain  maintained  a com- 
pact form,  and  could  assume  a defensive  attitude  upon  any 
sudden  alarm.  Its  gradual  expansion  served  also  to  quiet 
Indian  jealousy  of  encroachment  from  the  whites.  But, 
almost  imperceptibly,  the  seed  of  civilization  had  been 
planted,  was  firmly  fixed  in  the  soil,  was  germinating  under 
successful  culture,  was  producing  its  fruits  of  permanent 
society  and  established  government.  Its  eradication  was 
impossible.  Still,  it  was  found  necessary  to  restrain  the  too 
rapid  expansion  of  the  frontier.  The  General  Assembly  of 
North-Carolina  deemed  it  inexpedient  to  continue  the  Land 
Office  open,  and,  accordingly,  in  June,  of  (781,  closed  it.  It 
was  not  opened  again,  till  after  the  end  of  the  revolutionary 
war.  In  May,  of  1783,  the  Assembly  opened  an  office  for 
the  sale  of  western  lands,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  the 
arrears  then  due  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  that  part  of  the 
continental  line  which  was  raised  in  North-Carolina,  and  of 
extinguishing  her  part  of  the  national  debt.  Without  any 
previous  consultation  with  the  Indians,  the  Assembly  en- 
larged the  western  boundary — 

“ Beginning  on  the  line  which  divided  that  state  from  Virginia,  at  a 
point  due  north  of  the  mouth  of  Cloud’s  Creek  ; running  thence  west  to 
the  Mississippi;  thence  down  the  Mississippi  to  the  thirty-fifth  degree  of 
north  latitude;  thence  due  east,  until  it  strikes  the  Apalachian  Moun- 
tains ; thence  with  the  Apalachian  Mountains  to  the  ridge  that  divides 
the  waters  of  French  Broad  River  and  the  waters  of  Nolliekucky  River, 


27G 


GRANT  TO  HENDERSON  AND  COMPANY. 


and  with  that  ridge,  until  it  strikes  the  line  described  in  the  act  of  1 7 78, 
commonly  called  Brown’s  Line,  and  with  that  line  and  those  several 
water  courses  to  the  beginning.” 

But  a tract  of  country  was  reserved  for  the  Cherokee 
hunting  grounds — 

“ Beginning  at  the  Tennessee,  where  the  southern  boundary  of  North  - 
Carolina  intersects  the  same,  nearest  to  the  Cbickaraauga  Towns  ; thence 
up  the  middle  of  the  Tennessee  and  Holston  to  the  middle  of  French 
Broad  River,  which  lines  are  not  to  include  any  island  or  islands  in  said 
river,  to  the  mouth  of  Big  Pigeon  River ; thence  up  the  same  to  the  head 
thereof;  thence  along  the  dividing  ridge  between  the  waters  of  Pigeon 
River  and  Tuckasejah  River,  to  the  southern  boundary  of  this  state.” 

The  Assembly  of  North-Carolina  took  into  consideration 
the  claim  set  up  by  Henderson  and  company,  under  the 
Transylvania  purchase.  It  was  considered  that  the  company 
was  entitled  to  a handsome  remuneration  for  their  expenses 
in  holding  the  treaty  and  buying  the  territory,  and  an  Act 
was  accordingly  passed  granting  to  Richard  Henderson  and 
his  associates  two  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land,  to  be  laid 
off  in  one  survey,  and  with  the  following  boundaries.  “Begin- 
ning at  the  Old  Indian  Tower,  in  Powell’s  Valley,  running 
down  Powell’s  River,  not  less  than  four  miles  in  width,  on 
one  or  both  sides  thereof  to  the  junction  of  Powell’s  and 
Clinch  Rivers  ; then  down  Clinch  River,  on  one  or  both  sides, 
not  less  than  twelve  miles  in  width,  for  the  complement  of 
two  hundred  thousand  acres.”  Thenceforward  all  doubts 
were  removed  as  to  the  right  of  the  state  to  grant  the  other 
lands  on  the  western  waters,  which  were  contained  within 
the  bounds  specified  in  the  Indian  deeds  to  the  company. 

At  the  same  session,  an  Act  was  passed  authorizing  the 
governor  to  hold  a treaty  with  the  Chickamauga  and  Over- 
hill Cherokees,  and  also  with  those  of  the  Middle  and  Valley 
settlement,  at  the  Long  Island.  Joseph  Martin  is  appointed 
by  the  same  Act,  agent.  It  is  made  his  duty  to  visit  the  In- 
dian country  once  in  six  months,  deliver  the  governor’s  mes- 
sages and  receive  the  talks  of  the  Indians,  record  them  in  his 
journal,  etc. 

In  order  that  all  dealing  and  intercourse  with  the  Chero- 
kees should  be  carried  on  in  the  mosf  friendly  and  upright 
manner,  it  was  further  provided  that  no  one  but  “men  of  the 


GREENE  COUNTY  ESTABLISHED. 


277 


most  upright,  unexceptionable,  honest  characters,”  should  be 
licensed  to  trade  with  them. 

During  the  same  session  of  the  Assembly,  the  county  of 
1*83  i Washington  was  again  divided,  and  a new  county 
l erected,  which  was  called  Greene,  in  honour  of  Gen. 
Nathaniel  Greene,  under  whose  general  command  many  of 
the  western  riflemen  had  acted  their  part  in  the  Revolution, 
and  whose  valour  and  skill  had  done  so  much  in  establishing 
the  Independence  of  the  United  States. 

“ On  the  third  Monday  in  August,  the  Court  of  Pleas  and 
Quarter  Sessions,  for  Greene  county,  met  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Robert  Carr.  Present,  Joseph  Ilardin,  John  Newman, 
George  Doherty,  James  Houston,  Amos  Bird,  and  Asahel 
Rawlings,  Esqs.  ; Daniel  Kennedy  was  elected  Clerk,  and 
James  Wilson,  Sheriff;  Y/illiam  Cocke,  Esq.,  Attorney  for 
the  State  ; Joseph  Hardin,  Junr.,  Entry-Taker  ; Isaac  Tay- 
lor, Surveyor;  Richard  Wood,  Register.”* 

Jefferson  county,  as  known  at  present,  received  its  first 
settlers  in  this  year.  These  were  Robert  McFarland,  Alex- 
ander Outlaw,  Thomas  Jarnagin,  James  Hill,  Wesley  White 
James  Randolph,  Joseph  Copeland,  Robert  Gentry  and  James 
Hubbard.  The  first  of  these  made  a crop  in  1782,  at  the 
bend  of  Chucky,  and  the  next  year  moved  his  family  to  that 
place.  Capt  Jarnagin  settled  four  miles  above  the  mouth 
of  Chucky,  on  the  north  side  ; James  Hill,  a mile  lower 
down  ; Wesley  White,  immediately  opposite  Taylor’s  Bend  ; 
Robert  Gentiy,  four  miles  above  Dandridge  ; Joseph  Cope- 
land settled  this  year  south  of  the  French  Broad,  seven  miles 
above  Dandridge. 

The  settlements  had  reached  as  far  as  Long  Creek,  in  the 
1784  \ Present  Jefferson  county,  as  at  this  session  of  the 
l court,  “Thomas  Jarnagin  hath  leave  to  build  a mill 
on  Long  Creek.” 

“ A tax  was  laid,  at  the  same  time,  of  one  shilling  in  specie 
for  each  one  hundred  pounds  value  of  taxable  property,  for 
the  purpose  of  erecting  public  buildings.  An  appropriation 
of  eight  pounds  was  also  made  to  Mr.  Carr,  for  the  use  of  his 
house  in  which  the  court  met.  At  August  Term,  a road 
was  laid  out  from  the  mouth  of  Bent  Creek  to  the  mouth  of 


* County  Eecords. 


278  GEN.  WHITE  AND  COL.  RAMSEY  EXPLORE  THE  COUNTRY. 


Dumplin  (now  Sevier).  Also  from  the  county  line  south  of 
Chucky,  and  where  the  War  Path  crosses  the  same,  the 
nearest  and  best  way  to  the  War  Ford,  on  Pigeon  (now 
Cocke  county). 

“ Ordered,  that  a Bench  Warrant  issue  to  Captain  John 
Newman,  to  take  suspected  persons. 

“ At  November  Sessions,  leave  was  granted  to  Thomas 
Stockton  to  build  a mill  on  French  Broad,  at  Christian’s 
Ford”  (now  Sevier  county).* 

In  August,  of  this  year,  the  late  General  James  White, 
1783  S ^oh  Robert  Love  and  Col.  F.  A.  Ramsey  and  others, 
( for  the  purpose  of  locating  land  warrants,  explored 
the  country  as  low  as  the  confluence  of  the  Holston  and  Ten- 
nessee. They  crossed  the  French  Broad  at  the  War  Ford. 
There  were  but  few  inhabitants  then  south  of  Chucky.  At 
the  mouth  of  Pigeon,  Mr.  Gilliland  had  corn  growing,  but  no 
habin  had  then  been  erected  there.  A few  miles  below  his 
clearing,  the  remains  of  three  or  four  Indians  were  found  ; they 
had  been  killed  several  days  before.  The  explorers  con- 
tinued on  the  south  side  of  the  river  as  low  down  as 
the  mouth  of  Dumpliu,  Creek,  near  \yhich  they  recrossed 
French  Broad  and  fell  down  between  that  and  Holston,  pass- 
ing the  Swan  Pond  and  crossing  Holston  a few  miles  above, 
where  Knoxville  now  stands.  Their  route  was  continued 
through  the  Grassy  Valley  to  the  mouth  of  Holston.  It  was 
upon  this  tour  that  General  White  and  Col.  Ramsey  saw 
the  lands,  which  they  afterwards  entered  and  eventually 
occupied  in  the  present  Knox  county. 

The  Indians,  late  in  this  year,  commenced  hostilities,  by 
stealing  horses  and  cattle,  and  retreating  across  the  Pigeon 
Mountains,  in  what  is  now  Cocke  county.  Major  Peter 
Fine  raised  a few  men  and  pursued  them.  After  killing  one 
Indian  and  wounding  another,  and  regaining  the  stolen 
property,  they  began  their  return  and  encamped.  They 
were  fired  upon  in  the  night  by  the  savages,  who  had  fol- 
lowed their  tracks.  Vinet  Fine,  a brother  of  the  major, 
was  killed,  and  Thomas  Holland  and  Mr.  Bingham  were 
wounded.  After  the  departure  of  the  Indians,  who  hung 
around  the  camp  till  morning,  the  white  men  broke  a hole 

* County  Records. 


Armstrong’s  land  office  opened 


279 


in  the  ice  and  put  the  bod}'  of  V.  Fine  in  the  creek,  which 
lias  ever  since  been  called  Fine’s  Creek.  The  wounded 
men  were  brought  in,  in  safety,  and  recovered. 

It  continued  to  be  necessary  for  two  years,  to  keep  out 
scouts  between  Pigeon  and  French  Broad.  In  this  time 
Nehemiah  and  Simeon  Odell  were  killed,  scalped  and  their 
guns  taken.  A boy  ten  years  old,  named  Nelson,  was  killed 
and  his  horse  taken  seven  miles  up  Pigeon.  McCoy’s  Fort 
was  built  on  French  Broad,  three  miles  above  New  Port 
Whitson’s,  on  Pigeon,  ten  miles  above  New  port,  where 
McNabb  since  lived  ; Wood’s,  five  miles  below.  These 
were  all  guarded  several  years. 

The  General  Assembly  laid  oft’  a district  for  the  ex- 
clusive satisfaction  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  late 
continental  line,  which  was  raised  in  North-Carolina.  The 
claims  to  be  satisfied,  were  founded  upon  certain  promises 
held  out  to  them  by  the  legislature,  in  May,  i780.  Shortly 
afterwards  it  was  provided,  that  in  case  of  a deficiency  of 
good  land  in  this  district,  to  satisfy  these  claims,  the  same 
might  be  entered  upon  any  vacant  land  in  the  state,  which 
should  be  appropriated  for  their  satisfaction,  by  grant.* 

On  the  20th  of  October,  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty- 
three,  John  Armstrong’s  office  was  opened,  at  Hillsborough, 
for  the  sale  of  the  western  lands  not  included  in  these  reser- 
vations, nor  in  the  counties  of  Washington  and  Sullivan,  at 
the  rate  of  ten  pounds,  specie  certificates,  per  hundred. 
These  certificates  had  been  issued  by  Boards  of  Auditors, 
appointed  by  public  authority,  for  services  performed  and 
articles  impressed  or  furnished  in  the  time  of  the  revolu- 
tionary war,  and  were  made  payable  in  specie.  The  lands 
were  to  be  entered  in  tracts  of  five  thousand  acres  or  less, 
at  the  option  of  the  enterer.  By  the  25th  of  May,  1784, 
vast  quantities  of  land  were  entered,  and  certificates,  to  a 
very  large  amount,  had  beeu  paid  into  the  public  offices. f 

By  a subsequent  law  of  the  next  session,  the  surveyor  of 
Greene  county  was  allowed  to  survey  all  lands  for  which 
warrants  might  be  granted  by  John  Armstrong,  lying  west- 
ward of  the  Apalachian  Mountains,  and  including  all  the 


* Haywood. 


f Idem. 


280  . 


TREATY  OF  PEACE. 


lands  on  the  waters  of  Holston,  from  the  mouth  of  French 
Broad  River,  upwards  to  the  bounds  of  Washington  and 
Sullivan  counties,  exclusive  of  the  entries  made  by  the  entry- 
taker  of  Greene  county. 

By  the  eighth  article  of  the  treaty  of  1783,  it  was  provided 
that  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  River,  from  its  source  to 
the  ocean,  shall,  forever,  remain  free  and  open  to  the  subjects  of 
Great  Britain  and  the  citizens  of  the  United  States. 

In  conformity  with  the  ninth  article  of  confederation,  Con- 
gress issued  a proclamation,  prohibiting  all  persons  from 
making  setlements  on  lands  inhabited  or  claimed  by  Indians, 
without  the  limits  or  jurisdiction  of  any  particular  state,  and 
from  purchasing  or  receiving  any  gift  or  cession  of  such 
lands  without  the  express  authority  and  directions  of  the 
United  States  in  Congress  assembled. 

The  state  of  peace  brought  with  it  new  motives  for  exer- 
tion in  all  the  industrial  pursuits  of  life,  and  new  incentives 
to  patriotism.  The  country  had  secured  to  itself  indepen- 
dence ; each  citizen  became  proud  of  his  connexion  with  it, 
and  felt  that,  as  he  had  had  an  agency  in  giving  to  the 
government  form,  vitality  and  vigour,  he  was  also  responsi- 
ble for  its  success,  prosperity  and  enlargement.  The  ten- 
dency westward  was  greatly  increased,  and  multitudes  of 
emigrants  from  the  Middle  and  Southern  States  turned  their 
eyes  upon  the  new  lands  in  the  West.  Holston,  Cumberland 
and  Kentucky,  each  received  its  share  of  enterprising  and 
resolute  men,  willing  to  undergo  the  hardships  and  brave 
the  perils  of  the  wilderness.  The  facility  of  procuring  cheap 
and  fertile  lands  induced  a new  and  large  emigration  to  what 
is  now  Upper  East  Tennessee.  The  settlements  upon  the 
French  Broad  and  its  tributaries  extended  rapidly.  This  in- 
duced a renewal  of  hostilities  on  the  border  settlements,  and 
Major  Fine  and  Col.  Lillard  raised  a company  of  thirty  men, 
and  penetrated  through  the  mountains  to  the  Over-hill  Town  of 
Cowee,  and  burned  it.  From  this  town  the  aggressions 
against  the  Pigeon  settlements  had  been  principally  made. 
These  were  afterwards  less  frequent. 

In  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-four,  the  frontier  inhabi- 
tants were  clearing  their  fields  and  building  their  cabins  as 
low  down  as  the  Big  Island,  and  along  the  banks  of  the 


PROGRESS  OF  IMPROVEMENT. 


281 


Big  and  Little  Pigeon.  A few  adventurers  were  also  on 
i)  Boyd’s  Creek,  south  of  French  Broad.  North  of  Hol- 
l ston  they  were  extending  their  improvements,  within 
a few  miles  of  the  present  Rogersville.  Heretofore,  none  but 
men  of  little  or  no  fortune  had  crossed  the  mountain.  A pack- 
horse  carried  all  the  effects  of  an  emigrating  family.  The 
country  could  now  be  reached,  not  as  at  first,  only  by  a trace, 
but  by  wagon  roads.  This  invited  men  of  larger  property, 
and.  society  began  to  put  on  the  aspect  of  permanence  and 
respectability.  Forts  and  stations  had  served  as  places  for 
private  and  public  instruction  in  learning  and  religion,  as 
well  as  for  the  administration  of  justice.  Now,  in  the  oldest 
part  of  the  settlements,  might  occasionally  be  seen  the  back- 
wood’s  school-house,  without  floors  or  windows,  and  at  still 
greater  intervals  an  equally  unpretending  building  set  apart 
for  public  worship.  At  Jonesboro’,  in  Washington  county, 
the  first  court-house  in  Tennessee  had  been  erected.  It  was 
built  of  round  logs,  fresh  from  the  adjacent  forest — was  co- 
vered in  the  fashion  of  cabins  of  the  pioneers,  with  clap- 
boards. 

Improvement  was  the  order  of  the  day,  and  “ The  court 
recommend  that  there  be  a court-house  built  in  the  following 
manner,  viz  : 24  feet  square,  diamond  corners,  and  hewn  down 
after  it  is  built  up  ; 9 feet  high  between  the  two  floors  ; body 
of  the  house  4 feet  above  upper  floor  ; floors  neatly  laid  with 
plank;  shingles  of  roof  to  be  hung  with  pegs.  A justice’s 
bench  ; a lawyer’s  and  clerk’s  bar ; also,  a sheriff’s  box  to 
sit  in.”  * 

But  improvement  and  progress  and  change  had  dawned 
upon  its  future  fortunes,  and  Jonesboro’,  already  distinguish- 
ed as  the  oldest  town  established  in  the  present  Tennessee, 
the  centre  of  much  of  the  intelligence  and  political  influence 
in  the  new  country,  and  the  seat  of  its  courts,  was  now  to  be- 
come the  scene  of  exciting  events — the  theatre  on  which,  at 
first,  the  master  spirits  of  the  frontier  should  co-operate  and 
harmonize  upon  their  political  organization,  and  the  arena 
where  afterwards  they  became  factionists  and  partizans,  for 
and  against  the  State  of  Franklin.  The  history  of  that  an- 
cient commonwealth  will  be  given  in  the  next  chapter. 

* County  Records. 


282 


STATE  OF  FRANKLIN. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  STATE  OF  FRANKLIN. 

Tiie  revolutionary  war  was  now  ended,  and  the  indepen- 
o $ denceoft.be  United  States  acknowledged  by  England, 
l and  some  of  the  great  powers  on  the  Eastern  con- 
tinent. The  transition  from  a state  of  provincial  vassalage 
and  colonial  dependence  to  self  government,  was  sudden,  and 
in  some  of  the  states  almost  imperceptible.  The  change 
from  a monarchy  to  a republic,  brought  with  it,  here  and 
there  over  the  country,  a little  of  the  spirit  of  insubordina- 
tion, but  to  a much  more  limited  extent  than,  under  existing 
circumstances,  might  have  been  expected.  The  boundary 
between  liberty  and  licentiousness,  has  at  no  time  and  in  no 
place,  been  better  understood  and  more  strictly  observed, 
than  at  the  close  of  the  American  Revolution,  and  by  the  peo- 
ple of  the  new  republics  then  entering  upon  a new  theatre  of 
national  existence.  Still,  under  the  recent  order  of  things,  it  is 
not  matter  of  wonder  that  there  should  be  immature  concep- 
tions of  the  nature  of  government  and  mistaken  views  of  public 
policy,  and  that  even  lawlessness  and  violence  should  result 
from  error  and  inexperience.  To  a limited  extent  it  was  so. 
The  wonder  rather  is,  that  so  little  anarchy,  misrule  and  in- 
subordination existed  amid  the  chaos,  convulsions  and  up- 
turnings  of  society,  which  the  separation  of  the  colonies  from 
the  parent  government  produced,  and  where  the  rights  of  the 
people  were  substituted  for  the  prerogatives  of  sovereignty. 

Apart  from  these  considerations,  there  was  a further  diffi- 
culty involving  the  honour,  the  stability  and  almost  the  exis- 
tence, of  the  United  States  government. 

In  achieving  their  independence,  the  states  had  each  con- 
1784  $ tracted  a large  debt  upon  its  own  treasury,  for  expen- 
l ses  incurred  during  the  war.  In  addition  to  this,  Con- 
gress had  created  a heavy  liability  upon  the  general  trea- 
sury for  advances  made  by  American  citizens  and  foreign- 


CESSION  ACT  OF  NORTH- CAROLINA. 


283 


ers,  to  meet  expenditures  growing  out  of  a protracted  conflict. 
While  the  country  received  the  news  of  an  honourable  and 
advantageous  peace  with  acclamations  of  joy  and  triumph, 
government  felt  itself  borne  down  by  its  heavy  public  indebt- 
edness, and  harassed  by  the  importunate  clamour  of  its  pub- 
lic creditors.  Among  the  expedients  adopted  by  Congress  to 
lighten  this  burden,  replenish  its  treasury  and  increase  its 
exhausted  credit,  was  the  recommendation  to  such  of  the 
states  as  owned  vacant  and  unappropriated  lands,  to  throw 
them  into  the  common  stock,  cede  them  to  the  United  States, 
and  out  of  the  joint  fund  thus  created,  liquidate  the  common 
debt.  North-Carolina  was  one  of  these.  She  owned  a vast 
amount  of  unappropriated  lands  in  that  portion  of  her  west- 
ern territory  extending  from  the  Alleghanies  to  the  Missis- 
sippi. Sympathizing  with  Congress  in  the  distress  and  diffi- 
culty resulting  from  the  embarrassed  financial  condition  of 
the  Union,  the  General  Assembly  of  North-Carolina,  at  its 
April  session  of  this  year,  at  Hillsborough,  adopted  measures 
to  relieve  them.  Taxes  were  laid  for  this  purpose,  and  au- 
thority was  given  to  Congress  to  collect  them,  and  also  to 
levy  a duty  on  foreign  merchandize.  Partly  for  the  same 
reason,  and  for  others  which  will  hereafter  be  noticed,  the  As- 
sembly passed  an  act  in  June,  ceding  to  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States  the  western  lands,  as  therein  described,  and 
authorized  the  North  Carolina  delegates  to  execute  a deed  for 
the  same.  In  this  cession  thus  authorized,  was  embraced  all 
the  territory  now  constituting  the  State  of  Tennessee,  and 
including,  of  necessity,  the  trans-montane  counties,  Washing- 
ton, Sullivan,  Greene  and  Davidson.* 

By  an  additional  act  of  the  same  session,  it  was  declared 
that  the  sovereignty  and  jurisdiction  of  North-Carolina  in  and 
over  the  territory  thus  ceded,  and  all  its  inhabitants,  should 
be  and  remain  the  same  in  all  respects,  until  the  United  States, 
in  Congress,  should  accept  of  the  cession.  It  had  been  pro- 
vided in  the  cession  act  that  if  Congress  should  not  accept  in 
two  years,  the  act  was  thenceforward  to  be  of  no  effect. 

The  Assembly,  at  the  same  session,  closed  the  land  office 

* Davidson  county  was  erected  in  1783,  on  Cumberland,  as  will  be  elsewhere 
fully  stated. 


284 


COMPLAINTS  OF  WESTERN  COUNTIES. 


for  the  Western  Territory,  and  nullified  all  entries  of  land, 
except  as  therein  specified. 

Members  from  the  four  western  counties  were  present  at 
Hillsborough,  and  voted  for  the  act  of  cession.  They  had 
observed  a growing  disinclination  on  the  part  of  the  legisla- 
ture to  make  any  provision  for  the  protection  and  defence  of 
the  Western  people,  or  to  discharge  the  debts  that  had  been 
contracted  in  guarding  the  frontiers,  or  inflicting  chastise- 
ments upon  the  Indians.  Accounts  for  these  purposes  had 
been,  and  of  necessity  would  continue  to  be,  large  and  fre- 
quent. These  demands  against  the  treasury  of  the  state 
were  received  reluctantly — were  scrutinized  with  the  ut- 
most caution,  and  paid  grudgingly.  Often  they  were  re- 
jected as  informal  or  unauthorized.  It  was  intimated  even, 
that  some  of  these  demands  were  fabricated  by  the  Western 
people,  and  that  the  property  of  the  citizens  east  of  the 
mountains  was  wrongly  and  unjustly  taken  to  cancel  the 
debts  of  their  Western  brethren. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  the  Bill  of  Rights,  wdiich  was 
adopted  at  the  same  time  with  the  Constitution  of  North- 
Carolina,  had  made  provision  for  the  formation  of  a new 
state  or  states  out  of  her  Western  Territory.  Her  western 
settlements  were  becoming  expensive  and  burdensome  to 
her,  and  as  the  time  was  at  hand  when  a new  and  indepen- 
dent state  might  be  formed  out  of  them,  her  rulers  felt  it  to 
be  impolitic,  to  be  very  lavish  in  expenditures,  for  those  who 
might  soon  become  strangers  to  her  peculiar  interests,  or 
members  of  a separate  organization.  The  West  complained 
of  inadequate  provision  on  the  part  of  North-Carolina  for 
their  necessities,  while  the  mother  state  lost  no  opportunity  to 
impute  to  her  remote  children  in  the  wilderness  extravagance 
and  profligacy — filial  ingratitude  and  disobedience.  To  the 
influence  of  these  mutual  criminations  and  recriminations, 
may  be  traced  the  hasty  passage  of  the  cession  act  of  June, 
1784. 

The  members  from  the  four  western  counties,  immediately 
after  the  adjournment  of  the  Assembly,  at  Hillsborough,  re- 
turned home.  They  brought  with  them  the  first  intelligence 
that  had  reached  the  West,  of  the  passage  of  the  cession  act. 


REDUCED  TO  POLITICAL  ORPHANAGE. 


285 


The  impression  was  generally  entertained,  that  Congress 
would  not  formally  accept  the  cession  of  the  Western  Terri- 
tory for  the  space  of  two  years,  and  that,  during  that  period, 
the  new  settlements  being  under  the  protection  neither  of 
Congress  nor  of  North-Carolina,  would  be  left  in  a state  of 
anarchy,  without  aid  or  support  from  abroad,  and  unable  to 
command,  under  the  existing  state  of  affairs,  their  own  re- 
sources at  home.  This  aspect  of  their  condition  was  made 
the  more  discouraging  and  alarming,  from  the  consideration 
that  heretofore  no  provision  had  been  made  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a Superior  Court  west  of  the  mountains.  Violation 
of  law  was  permitted  to  pass  unpunished,  except  by  the 
summary  process  of  the  Regulators  appointed  for  that  pur- 
pose, by  the  people  themselves.  Nor  was  the  military  organi- 
zation adequate  to  the  exigencies  of  the  new  settlements. 
There  was  no  brigadier-general  allowed  by  law  to  call  into 
service  the  militia  of  the  counties,  or  to  concentrate  its  ener- 
gies on  sudden  emergencies.  This  defect  was  the  more  dan- 
gerous, and  the  more  sensibly  felt,  now  when  Indian  aggression 
continued.  With  a frontier  exposed  to  the  inroads  of  a sa- 
vage enemy,  and  with  no  authority  amongst  themselves  to 
whom  the  settlers  could  apply  for  assistance — with  the  set- 
tlements infested  with  culprits  of  every  degree  of  guilt,  re- 
fugees from  other  places,  and  escaping  to  these  seclusions  on 
account  of  their  supposed  immunity  from  conviction  and 
punishment — distracted  by  the  apprehension  of  an  uncertain 
or  questionable  allegiance,  ceded  by  the  parent  state,  not  yet 
accepted  by  their  federal  owners — depressed  by  the  contem- 
plation of  the  state  of  political  orphanage  to  which  they 
were  now  reduced,  and  of  the  anarchy  which  must  result 
from  it — the  opinion  became  general  with  the  entire  popula- 
tion that  the  sacred  duty  devolved  upon  themselves  to  de- 
vise the  means — to  draw  upon  their  own  resources — and,  by 
a manly  self  reliance,  to  extricate  the  inhabitants  of  the  ceded 
territory  from  the  unexpected  difficulties  by  which  they  were 
suddenly  surrounded.  Self  protection  is  the  first  law  of  na- 
ture. Salus  populi  suprema  lex.  The  frontier  was  suffering 
constantly  by  Indian  perfidy  and  assailed  by  Indian  atro- 


28G 


MEMBERS  OF  CONVENTION  CHOSEN. 


city,  and  the  settlers  seemed  to  hold  their  lives  by  the  per- 
mission and  at  the  will  of  their  Cherokee  neighbours. 

In  this  dilemma  it  was  proposed  that  in  each  captain’s 
company  two  representatives  of  the  people  should  be  elect- 
ed, who  should  assemble,  as  committees,  in  their  respective 
counties,  to  deliberate  upon  the  state  of  public  affairs, 
and  recommend  some  general  plan  of  action  suited  to  the 
emergency.  These  committees,  for  Washington,  Sullivan 
and  Greene,  met  and  recommended  the  election  of  deputies 
from  each  of  the  counties,  to  assemble  in  convention  at 
Jonesboro’,  with  power  to  adopt  such  measures  as  they 
should  deem  advisable.  The  election  of  deputies  to  the 
convention  was  held,  and  resulted  in  the  choice  for  Wash- 
ington county  of  John  Sevier,  Charles  Robertson,  William 
Purphey,  Joseph  Wilson,  John  Irvin,  Samuel  Houston,  Wil- 
liam Trimble,  William  Cox,  Landon  Carter,  Hugh  Henry, 
Christopher  Taylor,  John  Chisolm,  Samuel  Doak,  William 
Campbell,  Benjamin  Holland,  John  Bean,  Samuel  Williams, 
and  Richard  White. 

For  the  county  of  Sullivan — Joseph  Martin,  Gilbert  Chris- 
tian, William  Cocke,  John  Manifee,  William  Wallace,  John 
Hall,  Sami.  Wilson,  Stockley  Donelson,  and  William  Evans. 

For  the  county  of  Greene — Daniel  Kennedy,  Alexander 
Outlaw,  Joseph  Gist,  Samuel  Weir,  Asahel  Rawlings,  Joseph 
Ballard,  John  Maughon,  John  Murphey,  David  Campbell, 
Archibald  Stone,  Abraham  Denton,  Charles  Robinson,  and 
Elisha  Baker. 

Davidson  county  sent  no  delegates ; probably  none  were 
elected. 

These  deputies,  on  the  day  appointed,  August  23d,  as- 
sembled at  Jonesboro’.  John  Sevier  was  appointed  presi- 
dent of  the  convention.  Landon  Carter  was  the  secretary. 

Immediately  after  its  organization,  the  convention  raised 
a committee,  to  take  into  consideration  the  state  of  public 
affairs,  and  especially  the  cession  of  her  Western  Territory, 
by  North-Carolina  to  Congress. 

The  committee  consisted  of  Messrs.  Cocke,  Outlaw,  Car- 
ter, Campbell,  Manifee,  Martin,  Robinson,  Houston,  Chris- 
tian, Kennedy  and  Wilson. 


REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE. 


287 


While  discussing  and  deliberating  upon  the  object  of  the 
convention,  the  committee  came  to  its  conclusion  in  the 
following  manner  : “ A member  rose  and  made  some  re- 

marks on  the  variety  of  opinions  offered,  for  and  against 
a separation,  and  taking  from  his  pocket  a volume  con- 
taing  the  Declaration  of  Independence  by  the  colonies  in 
1776,  commented  upon  the  reasons  which  induced  their  sepa- 
ration from  England,  on  account  of  their  local  situation,  etc., 
and  attempted  to  show  that  a number  of  the  reasons  they 
had  for  declaring  independence,  applied  to  the  counties  here 
represented  by  their  deputies.” 

“After  this  member  had  taken  his  seat,  another  arose  and 
moved  to  declare  the  three  western  counties  independent  of 
North-Carolina,  which  was  unanimously  adopted”  by  the 
committee.*'  This  decision  was  submitted  to  the  conven- 
tion in  the  following 

“ REPORT. 

“ Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  and  judge  it  expedient,  that  the 
Counties  of  Washington,  Sullivan  and  Greene,  which  the  Cession  Bill 
particularly  respects,  form  themselves  into  an  Association  and  combine 
themselves  together,  in  order  to  support  the  present  laws  of  North  Caro- 
lina, which  may  not  he  incompatible  with  the  modes  and  forms  of  lay- 
ing off  a new  state.  It  is  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  that  we  have  a 
just  and  uudeniable  right  to  petition  to  Congress  to  accept  the  cession 
made  by  North-Carolina,  and  for  that  body  to  countenance  us  in  form- 
ing ourselves  into  a separate  government,  and  either  to  frame  a permanent 
or  temporary  constitution,  agreeably  to  a resolve  of  Congress,  in  such 
case  made  and  provided,  as  nearly  as  circumstances  will  admit.  We 
have  a right  to  keep  and  hold  a Convention  from  time  to  time,  by 
meeting  and  convening  at  such  place  or  places  as  the  said  Convention 
shall  adjourn  to.  When  any  contiguous  part  of  Virginia  shall  make  ap- 
plication to  join  this  Association,  after  they  are  legally  permitted,  either 
by  the  State  of  Virginia,  or  other  power  having  cognizance  thereof,  it  is 
our  opinion  that  they  be  received  and  enjoy  the  same  privileges  that  we 
do,  may  or  shall  enjoy.  This  Convention  has  a right  to  adopt  and  pre- 
scribe such  regulations  as  the  particular  exigencies  of  the  time  and  the 
public  good  may  require ; that  one  or  more  persons  ought  to  be  sent  to 
represent  our  situation  in  the  Congress  of  the  U nited  States,  and  this 
Convention  has  just  right  and  authority  to  prescribe  a regular  mode  for 
his  support.” 

This  report  was  received  and  adopted  by  the  convention. 
The  question  was  then  taken. 


* Manuscripts  of  Rev.  S.  Houston. 


288 


YEAS  AND  NAYS  ON  QUESTION  OF  SEPARATION. 


“ On  motion  of  Mr.  Cocke,  whether  for  or  against  forming  ourselves 
iuto  a separate  and  distinct  state,  independent  of  the  State  of  North- 
Carolina,  at  this  time , it  was  carried  in  the  affirmative. 

“ On  motion  of  Mr.  Kennedy,  the  yeas  and  nays  were  taken  on  the 
above  question. 

“ Yeas. — Mr.  Ti nil,  Samms,  North,  Taylor,  Anderson,  Houston,  Cox, 
Talbot,  Joseph  Wilson,  Trimble,  Reese,  John  Anderson,  Manifee,  Chris- 
tian, Carnes,  A.  Taylor,  Fitzgerald,  Cavit,  Looney,  Cocke,  B.  Gist,  Raw- 
lings, Bullard,  Joshua  Gist,  Valentine  Sevier,  Robinson,  Evajis  and 
Maughan.  (28.) 

“ Ways. — John  Tipton,  Joseph  Tipton,'  Stuart,  Maxfield,  D.  Looney. 
Vincent,  Cage,  Provincer,  Gammon,  Davis,  Kennedy,  Newman,  Wear, 
James  Wilson  and  Campbell.”  (15.) 

The  manuscript  from  which  the  above  is  taken,  was  found 
among  the  papers  of  General  Kennedy.  It  is  without  a date 
upon  it.  It  is  not  known  from  the  paper  itself,  which  of  the 
conventions  had  these  proceedings.  It  was  probably  at  the 
first  convention  at  Jonesboro’,  in  August,  1784.  That  body, 
however,  consisted  of  forty  members,  and  at  this  calling  of 
the  yeas  and  nays,  forty-three  voted.  Some  names  are  also 
found  in  this  list  of  members,  which  are  not  put  down  in  the 
convention  at  Jonesboro’.  Credentials  were  of  little  conse- 
quence at  that  day,  and  perhaps  were  not  required  from 
members.  This  may  account  for  the  discrepancy,  both  as  to 
the  names  and  members  of  the  convention. 

It  was  then  agreed  that  a member  from  the  door  of  the 
house  inform  the  crowd  in  the  street  of  the  decision.  Procla- 
mation was  accordingly  made  before  the  anxious  spectators, 
who  seemed  unanimously  to  give  to  the  proceedings,  their 
consent  and  approbation.  In  pursuance  of  one  of  its  recom- 
mendations, the  convention  appointed  Messrs.  Cocke  and 
Hardin  a committee  to  draw  up  and  form  the  plan  of  asso- 
ciation. That  plan  was  presented  the  next  day  to  the  con- 
vention in  the  following  report : 

“To  remove  the  doubts  of  the  scrupulous ; to  encourage  the  timid, 
and  to  induce  all,  harmoniously  and  speedily,  to  enter  into  a firm  asso- 
ciation, let  the  following  particulars  be  maturely  considered.  If  we 
should  be  so  happy  as  to  have  a separate  government,  vast  numbers 
from  different  quarters,  with  a little  encouragement  from  the  public, 
would  fill  up  our  frontier,  which  would  strengthen  us,  improve  agricul- 
ture, perfect  manufactures,  encourage  literature  and  every  thing  truly 
laudable.  The  seat  of  government  being  among  ourselves,  would  evi- 
dently tend,  not  only  to  keep  a circulating  medium  in  gold  and  silver 


p 


REPORT  OP  COMMITTEE.  289 

among  us,  but  draw  it  from  many  individuals  living  in  other  states,  who 
claim  large  quantities  of  lands  that  would  lie  in  the  bounds  of  the  new 
state.  Add  to  the  foregoing  reasons,  the  many  schemes  as  a body,  we 
could  execute  to  draw  it  among  us,  and  the  sums  which  many  travel- 
lers out  of  curiosity,  and  men  in  public  business,  would  expend  among 
us.  But  all  these  advantages,  acquired  and  accidental,  together  with 
many  more  that  might  be  mentioned,  whilst  we  are  connected  with  the 
old  counties,  may  not  only  be  nearly  useless  to  us*  but  many  of  them 
prove  injurious  ; and  this  will  always  be  the  case  during  a connexion 
with  them,  because  they  are  the  most  numerous,  and  consequently  will 
always  be  able  to  make  us  subservient  to  them ; that  our  interest  must 
he  generally  neglected,  and  sometimes  sacrificed,  to  promote  theirs,  as 
was  instanced  in  a late  taxation  act,  in  which,  notwithstanding  our  local 
situation  and  improvement  being  so  evidently  inferior,  that  it  is  unjust 
to  tax  our  lands  equally,  yet  they  have  expressly  done  it;  and  our  lands, 
at  the  same  time,  not  of  one  fourth  of  the  same  value.  And  to  make 
it  still  more  apparent  that  we  should  associate  the  whole  councils  of  the 
state,  the  Continental  Congress,  by  their  resolves,  invite  us  to  it.  The 
assembly  of  North-Carolina  by  their  late  cession  bill,  opened  the  dooiy* 
and  by  their  prudent  measures  invite  to  it ; and  as  a closing  reason  to 
induce  to  a speedy  association,  our  late  convention  chosen  to  consider 
public  affairs,  and  concert  measures,  as  appears  from  their  resolves,  have 
unanimously  agreed  that  we  should  do  it,  by  signing  the  following  ar- 
ticles : 

‘‘First.  That  we  agree  to  entrust  the  consideration  of  public  affairs, 
and  the  prescribing  rules  necessary  to  a convention,  to  be  chosen  by 
each  company  as  follows  : — That  if  any  company  should  not  exceed 
thirty,  there  be  one  representative ; and  where  it  contains  fifty,  there  be 
two ; and  so  in  proportion,  as  near  as  may  be,  and  that  their  regulations 
be  reviewed  by  the  association. 

‘ Secondly.  As  the  welfare  of  our  common  country  depends  much  on 
the  friendly  disposition  of  Congress,  and  their  rightly  understanding  our 
situation,  we  do  therefore  unanimously  agree,  speedily  to  furnish  a per- 
son with  a reasonable  support,  to  present  our  memorial,  and  negotiate 
our  business  in  Congress. 

“Thirdly.  As  the  welfare  of  the  community  also  depends  much  on 
public  spirit,  benevolence  and  regard  to  virtue,  we  therefore  unanimously 
agree  to  improve  and  cultivate  these,  and  to  discountenance  every  thing 
of  a contradictory  and  repugnant  nature. 

“Fourthly.  We  unanimously  agree  to  protect  this  association  with 
our  lives  and  fortunes,  to  which  we  pledge  our  faith  and  reputation.” 

These  report  being  concurred  in,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Cocke, 
it  was 

“ Resolved , That  the  clerks  of  the  county  courts  who  have  the  bonds 
and  recognizance  of  any  officers,  sheriff's  and  collectors,  who  have  col- 
lected any  of  the  public  monies,  or  are  about  now  to  collect  any  of  the 
same,  are  hereby  specially  commanded  and  required  to  hold  said  bonds 
in  their  possession  and  custody,  until  some  mode  be  adopted  and  pre- 
19 


290 


NEW  CONVENTION  BREAKS  UP  IN  CONFUSION. 


scribed  to  have  our  accounts  fairly  and  properly  liquidated  with  the 
State  of  North-Carolina.  And  they  resolved,  further,  that  all  the  she- 
riffs and  collectors,  who  have  before  collected  any  of  the  public  monies, 
shall  be  called  on,  and  render  due  accounts  of  the  monies  that  they 
have  collected  and  have  in  their  hands,  or  may  collect  by  virtue  of  their 
office. 

“Messrs.  White  and  Doak  moved,  and  were  permitted  to  enter  their 
dissent  against  both  of  these  resolutions,  because,  in  their  opinion,  it 
was  contrary  to  law  to  detain  the  bonds.” 

The  deputies  then  took  into  consideration  the  propriety  of 
having  a new  convention  called  to  form  a constitution,  and 
give  a name  to  the  Independent  State.  They  decided  that 
each  county  should  elect  five  members  to  the  convention — 
the  same  number  that  had  been  elected  in  1776,  to  form  the 
constitution  of  North-Carolina.  They  fixed  the  time  and 
place  of  meeting  to  be  at  Jonesboro’,  on  the  16th  of  Septem- 
ber, and  then  adjourned. 

For  some  reason  not  now  distinctly  known,  the  convention 
did  not  meet  till  November,  and  then  broke  up  in  great  con- 
fusion. The  members  had  not  harmonized  upon  the  details 
of  the  plan  of  association.  There  was  a still  greater  con- 
flict of  opinion  amongst  their  respective  constituencies,  and 
in  a new  community  the  voice  of  a constituent  is  always 
omnipotent,  and  must  not  be  disregarded.  Each  party  was 
tenacious  of  its  own  plan,  and  clamourous  for  its  adoption. 
Some  preferred  a longer  adherence  to  the  mother  state,  under 
the  expectation  and  hope  that  by  the  legislation  of  North- 
Carolina,  many,  if  not  all,  of  the  grievances  which  had  dis- 
affected her  western  counties,  would  be  soon  redressed.  Her 
Assembly  was  then  in  session  at  Newbern,  and  did  repeal 
the  act  for  ceding  her  western  territory  to  Congress.  During 
the  same  session  they  also  formed  a judicial  district  of  the 
four  western  counties,  and  appointed  an  assistant  judge  and 
an  attorney-general  for  the  Superior  Court,  which  was  di- 
rected to  be  held  at  Jonesboro’.  The  Assembly  also  formed 
the  militia  of  Washington  District  into  a brigade,  and  ap- 
pointed Col.  John  Sevier  the  brigadier-general. 

In  the  law  repealing  the  cession  act,  it  is  mentioned  as  the 
reason  for  the  repeal:  “That  the  Cession,  so  intended,  was 
made  in  full  confidence  that  the  whole  expense  of  the  Indian 
expeditions,  and  militia  aids  to  the  States  of  South-Carolina 


GENERAL  SEVIER  DISSUADES  FROM  SEPARATION. 


291 


and  Georgia,  should  pass  to  account  in  our  quota  of  the 
continental  expenses  in  the  late  war;  and,  also,  that  the 
other  states,  holding  western  territory,  would  make  similar 
cessions,  and  that  all  the  states  would  unanimously  grant 
imposts  of  five  per  cent,  as  a common  fund  for  the  discharge 
ol  the  federal  debt ; and,  whereas,  the  States  of  Massachu- 
setts and  Connecticut,  after  accepting  the  cessions  of  New- 
York  and  Virginia,  have  since  put  in  claims  for  the  whole 
or  a large  part  of  that  territory,  and  all  the  above  expected 
measures  for  constituting  a substantial  common  fund  have 
been  either  frustrated  or  delayed  — the  said  act  is,  there- 
fore, repealed.  On  account  of  the  remote  situation  of  the 
western  counties,  these  causes  of  the  legislation  of  the 
parent  state  were  not  well  understood  across  the  mountain, 
or  were  so  misrepresented  as  to  give  rise  to  the  charge, 
against  North-Carolina,of  fickleness,  or  rather  to  the  imputa- 
tion of  neglect  and  inattention  towards  the  new  settlements. 

But  “ revolutions  never  go  backwards  the  masses  had 
been  put  in  motion  ; some  steps  had  been  taken  in  remo- 
deling their  governments — a change  was  desired.  A new 
convention  was  determined  on,  and,  accordingly,  another 
election  was  held,  and  deputies  were  again  chosen  to  a future 
convention.  On  the  day  of  the  election,  at  Jonesboro’,  Gene- 
ral Sevier  declared  himself  satisfied  with  the  provisions  that 
had  been  made  by  the  Legislature  of  North-Carolina  in  favour 
of  the  western  people,  and,  enumerating  them  in  a public 
address,  recommended  to  the  people  to  proceed  no  further  in 
their  design  to  separate  from  North-Carolina.  lie  also 
wrote  to  Col.  Kennedy,  of  Greene  county,  under  date — 

2d  January,  1785. 

Dear  Colonel: — I have  just  received  certain  information  from  Col. 
Martin,  that  the  first  thing  the  Assembly  of  North-Carolina  did  was 
to  repeal  the  Cession  Bill,  and  to  form  this  part  of  the  country  into  a 
separate  District,  by  name  of  Washington  District,  which  I have  the 
honour  to  command,  as  general.  I conclude  this  step  will  satisfy  the 
people  with  the  old  state,  and  we  shall  pursue  no  further  measures  as 
to  a new  state.  David  Campbell,  Esqr.,  is  appointed  one  of  our  judges. 
I would  write  to  you  officially,  but  my  commission  is  not  yet  come  to 
hand. 

I am,  dr.  Colo.,  with  esteem,  yr.  mt.  obdt. 

Colo.  Kennedy.  JOHN  SEVIER. 


292 


DEPUTIES  CHOSEN  TO  A NEW  CONVENTION. 


Gen.  Sevier  also  made  a written  communication  addressed 
| to  Col.  Kennedy  and  the  citizens  of  Greene  county, 
l informing  them  what  had  been  done  for  their  relief 
by  the  legislature,  and,  with  the  purpose  of  preventing  con- 
fusion and  controversies  amongst  the  people  of  the  western 
counties,  he  begged  them  to  decline  all  further  action  in  re- 
spect to  a new  government. 

Notwithstanding  this  earnest  advice  of  the  president  of 
the  late  convention,  and  the  redress  of  the  grievances  of 
which  they  complained,  and  which  had  alienated  the  people 
from  the  mother  state,  they  persisted  in  their  determination  ; 
the  election  was  held,  and  five  deputies  from  each  county 
were  elected.  Those  chosen  for  Washington  county  were 
John  Sevier,  William  Cocke,  John  Tipton,  Thomas  Stewart, 
and  Rev.  Samuel  Houston.  For  Sullivan  county,  David 
Looney,  Richard  Gammon,  Moses  Looney,  William  Cage, 
and  John  Long.  For  the  county  of  Greene,  James  Reese, 
Daniel  Kennedy,  John  Newman,  James  Roddye  and  Joseph 
Hardin.  The  number  of  deputies  was  fifteen,  less  than  half 
of  the  convention  previously  elected.  Thqy  were  chosen, 
too,  by  the  counties  and  not  by  captain’s  campanies,  and, 
representing  larger  bodies  of  their  fellow  citizens,  were  less 
trammeled  by  local  prejudices  and  instructions.  Their  action 
was  less  restricted,  and  their  deliberations  freer  and  more 
enlightened.  In  this  body,  as  now  composed,  was  conside- 
rable ability  and  some  experience. 

The  convention  subsequently  assembled  again  at  Jones- 
borough,  and  again  appointed  John  Sevier  president,  and  F. 
A.  Ramsey,  secretary. 

The  convention  being  organized  and  ready  for  business, 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Houston,  one  of  the  deputies  from  Wash- 
ington county,  arose  and  addressed  the  convention  on  the 
importance  of  their  meeting,  showing  that  they  were  about 
to  lay  the  foundation  on  which  was  to  be  placed,  not  only 
their  own  welfare  and  interest,  but,  perhaps,  those  of  their 
posterity  for  ages  to  come  ; and  adding  that,  under  such  inte- 
resting and  solemn  circumstances,  they  should  look  to  Hea- 
ven, and  offer  prayer  for  counsel  and  direction  from  Infinite 
Wisdom.  The  president  immediately  designated  Mr.  Hous- 


CONVENTION  OPENED  WITH  PRAYER. 


293 


ton,  and  he  offered  up  a solemn  and  appropriate  prayer,  in 
which  all  seemed  to  unite. 

A form  of  a constitution  under  which  the  new  government 
should  be  put  in  motion,  was  submitted  and  agreed  to,  sub- 
ject to  the  ratification,  modification  or  rejection  of  a future 
convention  directed  to  be  chosen  by  the  people,  and  to  meet 
on  the  fourteenth  of  November,  1785,  at  Greenville.  Ample 
time  was  thus  given  to  examine  the  merits  and  defects  of  the 
new  organization,  and  by  discussing  them  in  detail,  to  harmo- 
nize conflicting  opinions,  and  to  secure  to  it  general  public 
sentiment  and  popular  favour. 

By  an  ordinance  of  the  convention,  however,  it  was  provi- 
ded that  the  electors  in  the  several  counties  should,  in  the 
meantime,  proceed  to  elect  members  of  the  legislature  for 
the  new  state,  according  to  the  laws  of  North-Carolina  ; and 
that  when  thus  chosen,  the  assembly  should  meet  and  put  the 
new  government  into  operation. 

The  election  was  accordingly  held,  and  members  of  the 

( legislature  chosen  for  the  State  of  Franklin.  These 
1785  1 ° 

l met  at  the  appointed  time  in  Jonesboro’.  After  the 
most  diligent  search,  the  writer  has  been  unable  to  procure 
a list  of  the  members  of  this  first  legislative  assembly  in  what 
is  now  Tennessee.  It  was,  probably,  for  the  most  part  com- 
posed of  the  same  members  who  had  constituted  the  two 
conventions  that  preceded,  and  gave  form  and  vitality  to  it. 
This  much  is  known,  that  Landon  Carter  was  speaker,  and 
Thomas  Talbot,  clerk  of  the  Senate  ; and  William  Cage, 
speaker,  and  Thomas  Chapman,  clerk,  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons. Thus  organized,  the  assembly  proceeded  to  the  elec- 
tion of  governor.  To  this  office  John  Sevier  was  chosen. 
A judiciary  system  was  established  also  at  this  first  session. 
David  Campbell  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court, 
and  Joshua  Gist  and  John  Anderson  Assistant  Judges. 

The  first  session  of  the  Legislature  of  Franklin,  terminated 
on  the  thirty- first  day  of  March,  1785,  on  which  day  the  follow- 
ing acts  were  ratified,  and  signed  by  the  speakers  and  coun- 
tersigned by  the  clerks  of  their  respective  bodies,  viz  : 

“ An  act  to  establish  the  legal  claims  of  persons  claiming 
any  property  under  the  laws  of  North-Carolina,  in  the  same 


294  FIRST  CLASSICAL  SCHOOL  WEST  OF  THE  ALLEGIIANIES. 


manner  as  if  the  State  of  Franklin  had  never  formed  itself 
into  a distinct  and  separate,  state.” 

“ An  act  to  appoint  commissioners,  and  to  vest  them  with 
full  powers  to  make  deeds  of  conveyance  to  such  persons  as 
have  purchased  lots  in  the  town  of  Jonesboro’.” 

“ An  act  for  the  promotion  of  learningin  the  county  of  Wash. 
2^5  $ ington.”  Under  the  provisions  of  this  act,  the  foundation 
( of  Martin  Academy  was  laid.  It  is  believed  that  this 
is  the  earliest  legislative  action  taken  anywhere  west  of  the 
Alleghanies,  for  the  encouragement  of  learning.  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Doak,  who  had  been  a member  of  the  convention,  and, 
probably,  of  the  Franklin  assembly,  and  the  apostle  of  reli- 
gion and  learning  in  the  West,  was  the  founder  and  first  pre- 
sident of  Martin  Academy.  He  was  a graduate  of  Nas- 
sau Hall,  in  ils  palmiest  days,  under  the  presidency  of  Dr. 
Witherspoon.  His  school-house,  a plain  log  building  erected 
on  his  own  farm,  stood  a little  west  of  the  present  site  of 
what  is  now  Washington  College.  For  many  years  it  was 
the  only,  and  for  still  more,  the  principal  seat  of  classical 
education  for  the  western  country. 

“ An  act  to  establish  a militia  in  this  state.” 

“ An  act  for  dividing  Sullivan  county  and  part  of  Greene, 
into  two  distinct  counties,  and  erecting  a county  by  the 
name  of  Spencer.”  This  new  county  covered  the  same 
territory  now  known  as  Hawkins  county. 

“ An  act  for  procuring  a great  seal  for  this  state.”  This 
act  was  probably  never  carried  into  effect.  More  than  two 
years  afterwards  commissions  to  the  officers  of  Franklin 
were  issued,  having  upon  them  a common  wafer  as  the  seal 
of  the  state. 

“ An  act  directing  the  method  of  electing  members  of  the 
General  Assembly.”  The  first  Monday  of  August,  was  the 
time  fixed  by  law  for  the  annual  meeting  of  the  legislature. 

“ An  act  to  divide  Greene  county  into  three  separate  and 
distinct  counties,  and  to  erect  two  new  counties  by  the  name 
of  Caswell  and  Sevier.”  The  former  occupied  the  section 
of  country  which  is  now  Jefferson,  and  extended  probably 
further  west.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  Caswell 


THE  SEVEN  COUNTIES  OF  FRANKLIN. 


295 


county  extended  down  the  French  Broad  and  Holstonto  their 
confluence,  and  perhaps  further  west.  This  much  is  cer- 
tain : that  General  White  and  others,  known  to  be  steadfast 
friends  of  the  new  state  and  officers  under  it,  were  at  this 
time  forming  settlements  in  this  part  of  the  present  Knox 
county.  The  other  new  county  embraced  what  is  still 
known  as  Sevier  county,  south  of  French  Broad,  and  also 
that  part  of  Blount  east  of  the  ridge  dividing  the  waters  of 
Little  River  from  those  of  the  Tennessee.  The  courts  of 
Sevier  county  were  held  at  Newell’s  Station,  near  the  head 
of  Boyd’s  Creek.  This  is- one  of  the  prettiest  places  in  Ten- 
nessee ; its  ruins  are  still  to  be  seen — about  fifteen  miles 
south-east  from  Knoxville — on  the  farm  lately  owned  by 
Edward  Hodges,  Esq. 

“ An  act  to  ascertain  the  value  of  gold  and  silver  foreign 
coin,  and  the  paper  currency  now  in  circulation  in  the  state 
of  North-Carolina,  and  to  declare  the  same  to  be  a lawful 
tender  in  this  state.” 

“ An  act  for  levying  a tax' for  the  support  of  the  govern- 
ment.” 

“ An  act  to  ascertain  the  salaries  allowed  the  Governor, 
Attorney-General,  Judges  of  the  Superior  Courts,  Assistant 
Judges,  Secretary  of  State,  Treasurer  and  members  of  Council 
of  State.” 

“ An  act  for  ascertaining  what  property  in  this  state  shall 
be  deemed  taxable,  the  method  of  assessing  the  same,  and 
collecting  public  taxes.” 

“An  act  to  ascertain  the  powers  and  authorities  of  the 
Judges  of  the  Superior  Courts,  the  Assistant  Judges  and  Jus- 
tices of  the  Peace,  and  of  the  County  Courts  of  Pleas  and 
Quarter  Sessions,  and  directing  the  time  and  place  of  holding 
the  same.” 

“ An  act  for  erecting  apart  of  Washington  county  and 
that  part  of  Wilkes  lying  west  of  the  extreme  heights  of  the 
Apalachian  or  Alleghany  Mountains,  into  a separate  and 
distinct  county  by  the  name  of  Wayne.”  This  new  county 
covered  the  same  territory  now  embraced  in  the  limits  of 
Carter  and  Johnson  counties. 

The  provisions  of  some  of  these  acts  were  nearly  the 


296 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  STATE  OF  FRANKLIN, 


same  as  those  adopted  by  North-Carolina  at  the  commence- 
ment of  her  state  government.  The  style  of  the  enactments 
was  this:  “Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
State  of  Franklin.” 

The  Governor,  the  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  and  the 
Assistant  Judges,  were  elected,  as  has  been  already  men- 
tioned, by  the  legislature  at  its  first  session.  The  other 
state  officers  were  Landon  Carter,  Secretary  of  State ; Wil- 
liam Cage,  Treasurer;  Stockley  Donaldson,  Surveyor-Gene- 
ral; Daniel  Kennedy  and  William  Cocke,  Brigadier-Gene- 
rals of  the  Franklin  militia.  General  Cocke  was  also  dele- 
gated to  represent  the  condition  of  the  new  government  in 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  Members  of  the  Council 
of  State  were — General  William  Cocke,  Colonel  Landon 
Carter,  Colonel  Francis  A.  Ramsey,  Judge  Campbell,  Gene- 
ral Kennedy,  Colonel  Taylor.  Until  the  new  constitution 
should  be  adopted  by  the  people,  the  temporary  form  of  gov- 
ernment was  that  of  North-Carolina. 

County  courts  were,  at  the  same  session,  established,  and 
justices  of  the  peace  appointed.  The  civil  and  military 
officers  for  each  county,  as  far  as  can  now  be  ascertained, 
were — James  Sevier,  Clerk  of  Washington  County  Court ; 
John  Rhea,  of  Sullivan  ; Daniel  Kennedy,  of  Greene  ; Tho- 
mas Henderson,  of  Spencer;  Joseph  Hamilton,  of  Caswell; 
and  Samuel  Weir,  of  Sevier.  On  the  10th  of  June,  1785, 
Governor  Sevier,  by  proclamation,  announced  the  appoint- 
ment of  F.  A.  Ramsey,  Esq.,  as  Clerk  of  the  Superior  Court 
of  Washington  District.* 

The  salaries  of  the  officers  of  state  were — of  the  Governor, 
two  hundred  pounds  annually ; Attorney-General,  twenty- 
five  pounds  for  each  court  he  attended  ; Secretary  of  Statej 
twenty-five  pounds  annually,  and  his  fees  of  office  ; Judge 
of  Superior  Court,  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  per  annum ; 
Assistant  Judges,  twenty-five  pounds  for  each  court;  Trea- 
surer, forty  pounds  annually  ; each  member  of  Council  oi 
State,  six  shillings  per  day,  when  in  actual  service. 

“In  the  law,  levying  a tax  for  the  support  of  government,  was  the 
clause  following : 


Haywood- 


AND  ITS  CURRENCY. 


297 


“ ‘ Be  it  enacted,  That  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  aforesaid 
land  tax,  and  all  free  polls,  to  be  paid  in  the  following  manner  : Good 
flax  linen,  ten  hundred,  at  three  shillings  and  six  pence  per  yard  ; nine 
hundred,  at  three  shillings ; eight  hundred,  two  shillings  and  nine 
pence;  seven  hundred,  two  shillings  and  sixpence;  six  hundred,  two 
* shillings  ; tow  linen,  one  shilling  and  nine  pence  ; linsey,  three  shillings, 
and  woollen  and  cotton  linsey,  three  shillings  and  six  pence  per  yard  ; 
good,  clean  beaver  skin,  six  shillings;  cased  otter  skins,  six  shillings ; 
uncased  ditto,  five  shillings;  rackoon  and  fox  skins,  one  shilling  and 
three  pence ; woollen  cloth,  at  ten  shillings  per  yard ; bacon,  well 
cured,  six  pence  per  pound  ; good,  clean  tallow,  six  pence  per  pound  ; 
good,  clean  beeswax,  one  shilling  per  pound  ; good  distilled  rye  whiskey, 
at  two  shillings  and  six  pence  per  gallon ; good  peach  or  apple  brandy, 
at  three  shillings  per  gallon  ; good  country  made  sugar,  at  one  shilling 
per  pound  : deer  skins,  the  pattern,  six  shillings  ; good,  neat  and  well 
managed  tobacco,  fit  to  be  prized,  that  may  pass  inspection,  the  hun- 
dred, fifteen  shillings,  and  so  on  in  pro-portion  for  a greater  or  less  quan- 
tity.’ ” 

“ ‘ And  all  the  salaries  and  allowances  hereby  made,  shall  be  paid  by 
any  treasurer,  sheriff,  or  collector  of  public  taxes,  to  any  person  entitled 
to  the  same,  to  be  paid  in  specific  articles  as  collected,  and  at  the  rates 
allowed  by  the  state  for  the  same  ; or  in  current  money  of  the  State  of 
Franklin.’  In  specifying  the  skins,  which  might  be  received  as  a com- 
mutation for  money,  the  risibility  of  the  unthinking  was  sometimes 
excited  at  the  enumeration.  The  rapidity  of  wit,  which  never  stops  to 
be  informed,  and  which  delights  by  its  oddities,  established  it  as  an 
axiom,  that  the  salaries  of  the  governor,  judges,  and  other  officers,  were 
to  be  paid  in  skins  absolutely ; and  to  add  to  their  merriment,  had  them 
payable  in  mink  skins.”* 

The  provisions  of  the  Franklin  Legislature  concerning  its 
currency,  have  been  the  source  of  much  merriment  and 
pleasantry,  at  the  expense  of  the  Franks.  It  should  be  re- 
collected that  many  of  the  articles,  which  were  thus  de- 
clared to  be  a lawful  tender  in  payment  of  debts,  were,  at 
that  moment,  convertible  into  specie,  at  the  prices  designated 
by  the  law  ; and  all  of  them,  certainly,  at  a lower  scale  of 
depreciation  than  the  issues  of  many  banks,  considered  since 
that  time  as  a legal  currency.  Besides,  in  the  forming  pe- 
riod of  society,  when  the  pastoral  and  agricultural  have  not  yet 
been  merged  into  the  commercial  and  manufacturing  stages* 
where  the  simple  wants  of  a new  community  confine  its 
exchanges  to  the  bartering  of  one  commodity  or  product  for 
another,  there  can  be  but  little  use  for  mon^rj.  There  it 
does  not  constitute  wealth,  and  is  scarcely  the  representa- 
tive of  it.  On  the  frontier,  he  is  the  wealthiest  man,  not 

- Haywood. 


298 


CURRENCY  OF  THE  COLONIES. 


who  owns  the  largest,  amount  of  wild  lands,  while  thousands 
of  acres  around  him  are  vacant  and  unappropriated  ; or  who 
has  money  to  lend,  which  no  one  near  him  wishes  or  needs  to 
borrow  ; but  he  whose  guns  and  traps  furnish  the  most  peltries, 
who  owns  the  largest  flocks  and  herds,  and  whose  cribs  and 
barns  are  the  fullest,  and  whose  household  fabrics  are  the  most 
abundant.  In  a new  settlement,  these  are  wealth,  and  con- 
stitute its  standard. 

In  the  earlier  periods  of  all  the  American  colonies,  a like 
condition  of  things  existed,  as  did  now  in  Franklin.  Money 
appears  to  have  been  very  scarce,  and  in  their  domestic 
transactions,  quite  unknown.  In  Virginia,  two  centuries  ago, 
the  price  of  a wife  was  estimated  at  one  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds  of  tobacco;  and  the  subject  of  the  transaction  was 
held  to  impart  its  own  dignity  to  the  debt,  which  accordingly 
was  allowed  to  take  precedence  of  all  other  engagements. 
In  1088,  a stipend  of  sixteen  thousand  pounds  of  tobacco  was 
given  by  law  to  each  clergymen.  In  Maryland,  tobacco,  and 
not  money,  was  made  the  measure  of  value,  in  all  the  laws 
where  prices  were  stated  or  payrfients  prescribed.*  InNorth- 
Carolina,  as  late  as  1722,  debts  and  rents  were  generally 
made  payable  in  hides,  tallow,  furs,  or  other  productions  of 
the  country.  And  still  later,  in  1738,  when  money  was 
scarce  in  that  colony,  it  became  necessary  to  receive  pay- 
ment of  quit-rents  and  other  debts,  in  such  articles  of  country 
produce  as  were  marketable  and  easily  transported.  The 
price  of  these  several  articles  was  fixed  by  acts  of  As- 
sembly, at  which  they  were  a legal  tender.  When  judgment 
was  obtained  in  a court  for  damages  to  a certain  amount, 
the  entry  was  usually  made  in  the  docket  with  the  follow- 
ing addition  : “ payable  in  deer  skins,  hides,  tallow  or  small 
furs,  at  country  price. A specific  tax  of  one  bushel  of  In- 
dian corn,  upon  every  t.ithable  inhabitant,  was  laid  in  1715,  for 
the  support  of  some  forces  upon  the  frontier,  and  to  discharge 
a debt  due  to  South-Carolina. 

At  an  early  day  in  Virginia,  tobacco  became  the  standard 
of  value,  and  supplied  in  part  the  place  of  a circulating  me- 
dium. By  a.i  act  of  1632,  “ the  secretary’s  fees  shall  be  as 


* Grahamc. 


f Williamson. 


FRANKLIN  TREATY  OF  PEACE  AND  BOUNDARIES. 


299 


followeth  : ffor  a warrant,  05  lbs.  of  tobacco;  ffora  passe 
10  lbs. ; ffor  a freedom  20,  etc.  The  marshall’s  fees  ffor  an 
arrest,  10  lbs.;  ffor  warning  the  cort,  02,  imprisonment 
coming  in  10,  going  out  10,  laying  by  the  heels  5,  whipping 
10,  pillory  10,  duckinge  10,  ffor  every  5 lbs.  of  tobacco  the 
marshall  may  require  one  bushel  of  corne,  etc.  etc.”* 

The  court  of  assistants,  of  Massachusetts,  ordered  that 
^ | corn  should  pass  for  payment  of  all  debts  at  the  usual 
i rate  for  which  it  was  sold. 

Hard  Currency. — ‘‘Musket  balls,  full  bore,  were  a legal 
tender  in  Massachusetts,  in  1056,  current  for  a farthing  a 
piece,  provided  that  no  man  be  compelled  to  take  above 
twelve  at  a time  of  them.” 

“ In  1680,  the  town  of  Hilham  paid  its  taxes  in  milk-pails.” 
Having  appointed  the  officers  of  state,  and  provided  for 
the  support  of  the  government  of  Franklin,  the  Assembly 
authorized  a treaty  to  be  held  with  the  Cherokee  Indians. 
Governor  Sevier,  Alexander  Outlaw  and  Daniel  Kennedy, 
were  appointed  commissioners.  The  treaty  was  held  at  the 
house  of  Major  Henry,  near  the  mouth  of  Dumplin  Creek, 
on  the  north  bank  of  French  Broad  River.  The  king  of  the 
Cherokees,  with  a great  number  of  their  chiefs,  met  the 
Franklin  commissioners  at  this  place,  on  the  31st  of  May, 
1785.  The  conference  was  continued  three  days,  and  re- 
sulted in  the  establishment  of  the  ridge  dividing  the  waters 
of  Little  River  and  the  Tennessee,  as  the  boundary  between 
the  whites  and  Indians,  and  the  cession  of  all  the  lands  south 
of  French  Broad  and  Holston,  east  of  that  ridge.  For  these 
lands  the  Indians  were  promised  compensation  in  general 
terms.  “Both  parties  professed  a sincere  desire  for  the  bles- 
sings of  peace,  and  an  ardent  wish  that  it  might  be  of  long 
continuance.  The  governor,  in  a speech  well  calculated  to 
produce  the  end  he  had  in  view,  deplored  the  sufferings  of 
the  white  people;  the  blood  which  the  Indians  spilt  on  the 
road  leading  to  Kentucky  ; lamented  the  uncivilized  state  of 
the  Indians,  and  to  prevent  all  future  animosities,  be  sug- 
gested the  propriety  of  fixing  the  bounds,  beyond  which 
those  settlements  should  not  be  extended,  which  had  been 
* Foote’s  Virginia. 


300 


CONDITION  OF  THE  NEW  STATE. 


imprudently  made  on  the  south  side  of  French  Broad  and 
Holston,  under  the  connivance  of  North-Carolina,  and  could 
not  now  be  broken  up  ; and  he  pledged  the  faith  of  the  State 
of  Franklin,  if  these  bounds  should  be  agreed  upon  and  made 
known,  that  the  citizens  of  his  state  should  be  effectually 
restrained  from  all  encroachments  beyond  it.”* 

Under  the  government  of  Franklin,  the  county  offices 
were  generally  conferred  upon  those  who  already  held  com- 
missions under  the  State  of  North-Carolina  for  the  same 
places.  This  arrangement  gave  general  satisfaction.  The 
metamorphosis  from  the  old  to  the  new  order  of  things  was 
so  noiseless,  gradual  and  imperceptible,  it  did  violence  to  no 
one,  produced  no  convulsion,  and  for  the  time  being  recon- 
ciled all  parties  west  of  the  mountains  to  the  new  govern- 
ment, which  was  now  in  the  full  tide  of  successful  experi- 
ment. 

East  of  the  Alleghanies,  however,  this  sudden  dismember- 
ment of  the  territory  of  North-Carolina  produced  surprise, 
censure  and  condemnation.  A rumour  of  the  insurrectionary 
tendency  across  the  mountain,  had  reached  Newbern  during 
the  session  of  the  legislature,  and  had,  doubtless,  much  influ- 
ence in  hastening  the  measures  adopted  for  the  conciliation 
and  relief  of  the  western  people.  Complaints  were  soon 
after  made  to  Alexander  Martin,  then  governor  of  the  state> 
by  the  chiefs  of  the  Cherokee  nation,  of  the  frequent  viola- 
tion of  treaty  stipulations,  and  especially  of  the  murder  of 
one  of  their  head  men,  Butler,  by  Major  Hubbard,  one  of  the 
Franklin  officers,  in  time  of  peace. 

Governor  Martin,  under  date  Danbury,  Dec.  18,  1784,  had 
written  to  Col.  John  Gist,  authorizing  him  to  convene  the 
witnesses  before  him,  and  if  they  prove  the  killing,  “you 
will  issue  your  warrant  to  apprehend  the  said  Hubbard,  di- 
rected to  the  sheriff  or  such  other  officers  as  you  judge 
proper,  to  be  brought  before  you,  and  if  he  cannot  shew  any 
exculpatory  reason  for  this  act,  you  will  commit  him  under  a 
strong  guard  to  Burke  county  jail,  and  to  be  under  the  care  of 
General  McDowell,  there  to  remain  until  Washington  Supe- 
rior Court.” 

The  circumstances  of  the  death  of  Butler,  as  furnished  by 
* Haywood. 


UNTOOLA,  A CHIEF  OF  CITICO. 


301 


a surviving  kinsman,  as  he  received  them  from  Hubbard 
himself,  are  these  : 

The  Death  of  Untoola  or  Gun  Rod  of  Citico — or,  as  known 
TO  THE  WHITES,  BUTLER A CHEROKEE  ClIIEF. 

During  an  armistice  that  had  taken  place  between  the 
Upper  towns  of  the  Cherokees  and  the  infant  settlements 
upon  the  French  Broad,  an  attempt  was  made  to  revive  the 
peaceful  relations  which,  at  happy  intervals,  had  existed  be- 
tween the  white  and  Indian  population.  The  counsels  of 
the  elder  chiefs  had  at-length  prevailed  over  the  rash  and  in- 
considerate decisions  of  the  young  men  and  warriors,  and  had 
curbed,  if  not  eradicated,  the  restless  spirit  of  cruelty  and  ag- 
gression which  had  so  often  involved  the  frontier  in  war. 
The  whites  too,  were  at  this  moment  not  indisposed  to  a 
state  of  peace.  The  emigration  from  abroad  had  been  so 
great  as  to  render  the  amount  of  the  last  year’s  crop  inade- 
quate for  the  present  wants  and  support  of  the  country.  A 
pacific  policy  was  necessary  to  a renewal  of  that  system  of 
barter  which,  in  times  of  previous  scarcity,  had  been  so  bene- 
ficial to  all.  Impelled  by  necessity,  several  small  parties 
ventured  into  the  Indian  country  to  procure  corn.  Amongst 
these  was  one  consisting  of  only  two  men,  Col.  James  Hub- 
bardt,  and  a fellow-soldier.  Hubbardt’s  parents  and  their 
whole  family,  had  been  cruelly  butchered  in  Virginia  by  the 
Shawnees,  and  he  had  hence  become  the  avowed  enemy  of  the 
Indian  race  ; and  it  may  not  be  saying  too  much  to  add,  that 
he  had  killed  more  Cherokees  than  any  other  one  man.  In 
every  battle  with  them,  he  sought  the  place  of  danger.  Coura- 
geous in  action,  ardent  in  pursuit,  artful  in  stratagie  and 
desperate  in  his  revenges,  he  had  incurred  the  implacable 
resentment  of  the  Indians.  This  feeling  had  been  exaspe- 
rated by  the  mortifying  result  of  many  a hardly  contested 
rencounter  with  them..  In  one  of  these  it  was  his  good  for- 
tune to  meet  and  unhorse  Butler,  a distinguished  warrior  and 
the  chieftain  of  Citico.  To  lose  his  horse,  his  tomahawk  or  his 
rifle,  is  equivalent,  in  the  Cherokee  warrior’s  code,  to  the  loss 
of  consequence  and  of  honour.  Butler  apprehended  this  effect 
from  his  late  inglorious  retreat  from  his  antagonist.  This  stain 


302 


HUBBARDT  AND  UNTOOLA. 


upon  his  character  ulcerated  his  proud  and  ambitious  spirit, 
and  impatient  under  its  corrodings,  and  panting  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  retrieve  his  loss,  he  had  dissented  from  the  peace- 
talks  which  were  gradually  preparing  his  followers  for  a 
general  pacification — an  event  which  Butler  was  well  aware, 
under  his  peculiar  situation,  would  consign  him  to  temporary 
obscurity,  or  perhaps  sink  him  to  lasting  infamy.  His  wounded 
pride  could  not  brook  this  tormenting  apprehension,  and  he 
disdained  to  accept  the  overture  of  peace,  which  he  too  well 
knew  had  not  been  extorted  by  his  valour.  Hearing  of  the 
approach  of  Hubbardt  and  of  his  companion  to  his  town,  he 
invited  a warrior,  who  still  adhered  to  his  fortunes,  to  accom- 
pany him.  Well  armed  and  well  mounted,  they  hastened 
from  Citico  and  soon  met  the  object  of  their  search.  Hub- 
bardt and  his  companion  were  encumbered  with  packages  of 
different  kinds,  which  had  been  laid  upon  their  horses  to  be 
exchanged  for  corn.  At  the  time  of  Butler’s  approach,  they 
were  on  foot,  leading  the  horses  leisurely  along  the  Indian 
path.  Butler  rode  directly  up,  and  with  an  air  of  insulted 
dignity  demanded,  in  English,  the  object  of  their  intrusive 
visit.  Hubbardt,  looking  at  him  sternly,  replied,  with  great 
self  possession,  As  the  war  is  over,  we  have  brought  some 
clothing  which  we  desire  to  barter  for  corn  ; and  as  an  evi- 
dence of  the  conciliatory  and  peaceable  purpose  of  his  visit* 
he  exhihited  the  contents  of  a sack  taken  from  his  horse.  He 
also  drew  forth  a bottle  of  whiskey  and  invited  the  Indians  to 
drink.  To  inspire  Butler  with  greater  confidence,  he'leaned 
his  rifle  against  a tree,  vainly  hoping,  by  this  demeanour,  to 
appease  the  resentment  which  but  too  plainly  burned  in  the 
bosom  and  flashed  from  the  eyes  of  his  antagonist.  To  the 
enquiry  about  a supply  of  corn,  no  answer  was  made  by  But- 
ler, who  manifested  a stubborn  indifference  to  the  negotia- 
tion. He  continued  mounted  and  rode  partly  around  the 
white  men,  with  the  supposed  intention  of  either  separating 
Hubbardt  from  his  gun,  by  running  his  horse  in  between  him 
and  the  tree,  or  of  getting  them  both  in  the  range  of  his  dou- 
ble-barrelled rifle,  and  of  killing  the  principal  and  his  second 
at  one  shot.  Hubbardt,  however,  was  not  less  eagle-eyed 
than  he  was  brave,  and  taking  his  position  near  his  gun,  de- 


UNTOOLA  KILLED. 


303 


termined,  that  while  he  made  no  aggression  upon  others,  he 
would  not  allow  himself  to  be  deprived  of  the  means  of  de- 
fence. The  negotiation  was  now  ended — not  another  word 
was  uttered.  Though  all  verbal  communication  was  sus- 
pended, it  was  not  difficult  to  read  in  their  expressive  coun- 
tenances, the  reckless  determination  of  the  two  principals. 
Their  companions  remained  spectators  of  the  conduct  of  their 
chiefs — each  of  them  aware  that  the  fate  of  his  friend  might 
be  decisive  of  his  own. 

Hubbardt  knew  that  to  resume  his  rifle,  in  the  present 
posture  of  things,  would  be  construed  as  a breach  of  the 
existing  armistice  or  a renewal  of  the  war,  and  would 
expose  a starving  frontier  to  famine  and  to  the  merciless 
incursions  of  their  savage  neighbours.  To  remain  unarmed 
was  to  invite  an  attack  from  his  adversary.  He  avoided 
either.  He  reached  his  hand  to  the  muzzle  of  his  gun  and 
allowed  the  breach  to  remain  upon  the  ground  ; then  assu- 
ming a look  of  stern  defiance,  he  waited,  in  silence,  for  the 
attack.  Butler  changed  the  position  of  his  horse  and  aimed 
a blow  at  Hubbardt,  but  was  unable,  by  this  manoeuvre,  to 
gain  any  advantage  over  his  wary  antagonist.  Baffled  in 
this  expectation,  he  coolly  surveyed  him,  and,  quick  as  light- 
ning, levelled  his  gun  and  fired.  The  ball  passed  between 
the  ear  and  head  of  Hubbardt,  and  cut  the  hair  from  his 
temple  and  doing  little  injury  to  the  skin,  slightly  stunned 
him.  The  two  Indians  immediately  retreated.  Their  flight 
was  so  instantaneous  and  rapid  that  they  had  reached  the 
distance  of  eighty  yards  when  a ball  from  Hubbardt’s  gun 
struck  Butler  in  the  back  and  brought  him  to  the  ground. 
He  begged  Hubbardt,  who  was  now  approaching  him,  to  let 
him  alone — he  was  a dead  man.  At  his  own  request,  he 
was  lifted  up  and  placed  against  a tree,  when  he  breathed 
easier.  To  the  request  that  he  should  tell  them,  before  he 
died,  whether  his  nation  was  for  peace,  he  replied  angriljq 
No.  They  are  for  war,  and  if  you  go  any  further  they  will 
take  your  hair.  To  the  remark  that  they  had  better  not 
again  go  to  war, for  the  white  people  would  whip  them,  he 
he  replied : It  is  a lie,  it  is  a lie  ; and  making  the  declaration 
more  emphatic  by  the  addition  of  other  offensive  and  insult- 


304 


GOVERNOR  MARTIN  SENDS  COLONEL  HENDERSON, 


ing  expletives,  continued  to  provoke  Hubbardt  till,  in  a 
paroxysm  of  ill-timed  rage,  by  a blow  from  his  heavy  gun, 
he  dispatched  him. 

The  companion  of  Hubbardt  had  his  attention  so  wholly 
absorbed  by  the  principal  combatants,  that  he  allowed  the 
other  Indian  to  escape  without  firing  at  him.  Hubbardt 
reproached  him  bitterly  for  this  neglect,  and  said  that,  if 
he  had  killed  the  other,  intelligence  of  Butler’s  death  would 
not  have  exposed  the  whites  to  immediate  retaliation  ; as  it 
is,  said  he,  the  Indians  will  invade  the  settlements  before 
they  can  be  prepared  for  them. 

It  will  be  seen,  hereafter,  how  severely  the  frontier  suffered 
from  the  revenge,  cruelty  and  retaliation  of  Butler’s  towns- 
men. 

Rumour  had  ascribed  the  disturbances  on  the  frontier  to  the 
officers  of  the  new  government,  and  Governor  Martin  sent 
Samuel  Henderson  to  the  West,  with  instructions  and  full 
power  to  examine  into  and  ascertain  the  extent  of  the  inju- 
ries inflicted  upon  the  Indians,  and  the  disaffection  the 
western  people.  The  governor  also  forwarded,  by  Major 
Henderson,  a talk  from  himself  to  the  Cherokees,  and  a letter 
to  General  Sevier.  As  containing  a history  of  the  times  at 
which  they  bear  date,  each  of  these  papers  is  given  at 
length. 

To  the  Old  Tassel  and  othekWarriors  of  the  Cherokee  nation  ; 

Brothers  : — I have  received  your  talk  by  Colonel  Martin,  in  behalf  of 
yourself  and  all  the  Cherokee  nation.  I am  sorry  that  you  have  been 
uneasy,  and  that  I could  not  see  you  this  last  spring,  as  I promised 
you,  as  our  beloved  men  met  at  Hillsborough  had  prevented  me,  by 
agreeing  and  concluding  among  themselves,  that  the  Great  Council  of 
the  thirteen  American  States,  at  Philadelphia,  should  transact  all  affairs 
belonging  to  the  Red  People.  ..... 

Brother  : — It  gives  me  great  uneasiness  that  our  people  trespass  on 
your  lands,  and  that  your  young  men  are  afraid  to  go  a-hunting  on  ac- 
count of  our  people  ranging  the  -Woods  and  marking  the  trees.  These 
things,  I can  assure  you,  are  against  the  orders  of  your  elder  brother,  and 
are  not  approved  of  by  me  and  the  good  men  of  North-Carolina  ; but 
while  we  were  consulting  our  council  of  Philadelphia,  our  bad  men 
living  near  your  lands  thought  we  had  laid  aside  all  government  over 
them,  and  that  they  had  a right  to  do  as  they  pleased  ; and  not  willing 
to  obey  any  law  for  the  sake  of  ill  gain  and  profit,  care  not  what  mis- 
chief they  do  between  the  red  and  white  people,  if  they  can  enrich  them- 


ON  A MISSION  TO  FRANKLIN. 


305 


selves.  But,  brother,  I know  your  complaints,  and  will  endeavour  to 
set  your  minds  at  ease,  by  again  ordering  off  all  these  persons  from  your 
lands,  who  have  settled  on  them  without  your  consent.  Your  friend, 
Gen.  Sevier,  is  made  our  First  Warrior  for  the  western  country,  to  whom 
Colonel  Martin  carries  my  particular  directions  to  have  these  intruders 
moved  off.  About  the  25th  of  April,  I propose  to  meet  you,  and  such 
of  your  beloved  men  as  will  be  pleased  to  attend,  at  the  Great  Island 
in  Holston,  or  other  place  most  agreeable  to  you  on  Bfoad  or  that 
river.  I shall  bring  with  me  some  of  our  first  men,  who  will  assist  in 
the  Talks,  in  whom,  as  well  as  myself,  you  can  place  your  confidence  and 
trust.  I propose  to  bring  with  me  the  goods,  which,  in  my  last  Talk, 
I informed  you,  were  intended  to  purchase  your  right  and.claim  to  some 
of  the  lands  near  you,  that  a line  be  drawn  and  marked  between  your 
people  and  ours,  which  shall  be  the  bounds  in  future,  and  over  which 
our  people  shall  not  go  and  settle  upon,  without  being  highly  punished. 

Brother : — In  the  meanwhile,  1 beg  you  not  to  listen  to  any  bad 
Talks,  which  may  be  made  by  either  white  or  red  people,  which  may 
disturb  our  peace  and  good  will  to  each  other  ; and  should  mischief  be 
done  by  any  of  our  bad  people,  be  patient  until  you  hear  from  me,  and  may 
be  certain  your  elder  brother  of  North-Carolina  will  do  every  thing  in  his 
power,  to  give  your  minds  satisfaction.  I am  told  the  northern  Indians  have 
sent  you  some  bad  Talks,  but  do  not  hear  them,  as  they  wish  to  make  vari- 
ance between  all  the  red  and  American  people  without  any  provocation. 

Brother  : — Colonel  Martin,  your  friend,  has  told  me  your  grievances. 
I wish  to  redress  them  as  soon  as  possible.  I cannot  come  to  you  sooner 
than  I have  proposed.  Bad  men  may  make  you  uneasy,  but  your  elder 
brother  of  North-Carolina  has  you  greatly  in  his  heart,  and  wishes  to 
make  you  sensible  of  it. 

Governor  Martin  to  General  Sevier  : 

Danbury,  December,  1784. 

Sir  .'—By  Major  Outlaw,  I sent  your  brigadier’s  commission,  which  I 
expect  you  have  received,  and  which  I hope  will  be  acceptable  to  you, 
as  also  some  proclamations  agreeably  to  a request  of  the  Legislature, 
to  have  all  intruders  removed  off  the  Indian  lands.  I request  your  atten- 
tion to  this  business,  as  I have  received  a Talk  from  the  Cherokee  nation, 
greatly  complaining  of  trespasses  daily  committing  against  them  ; and 
that  their  young  men  are  afraid  to  hunt,  as  our  people  are  continually 
ranging  their  woods  and  marking  their  trees.  The  importance  of  keep- 
ing peace  with  the  Indians  you  are  sufficiently  impressed  with,  and  the 
powers  with  which  you  are  armed,  are  sufficient  to  check  the  licentious 
and  disobedient,  and  remove  every  impediment  out  of  the  way,  which 
may  give  the  Indians  uneasiness. 

I am  informed  a daring  murder  has  been  committed,  on  one  Butler, 
a Cherokee  Indian,  by  Major  Hubbard,  of  Greene  county,  without  any 
provocation.  I have  given  directions  for  his  being  apprehended  and 
conveyed  to.  Burke  Gaol  for  security,  until  the  setting  of  Washington 
Superior  Court,  when  he  will  be  remanded  back.  Col.  Gist,  of  Greene 
county,  is  entrusted  with  this  service.  I have  directed  him  to  call  on 
you  for  guards  if  the  same  be  necessary. 

20 


306 


TALK  OP  GOVERNOR  MARTIN  TO  CHEROKEES. 


You  will  please  to  write  to  me  the  first  opportunity  on  this  subject. 
I propose  to  hold  a treaty  with  the  Indians  about  the  25th  of  April,  at 
the  Great  Island. 

Governor  Caswell  and  Colonel  Blount  will  be  commissioners  to  assist 
at  the  treaty,  where  I shall  expect  you  to  attend  with  such  guard  as 
will  be  thought  necessary,  and  of  which  you  will  hereafter  have  advice. 

Hearing'  of  the  continued  revolt  in  the  West,  Governor 

* 

Martin  again  addressed  Governor  Sevier  : 

Sir  : — With  some  concern,  I have  heard  that  the  counties  of  Wash- 
ington, Sullivan  and  Greene,  have  lately  declared  themselves  inde- 
pendent of  the  State  of  North-Carolina,  and  have  chosen  you  governor — 
that  you  have  accepted  the  same,  and  are  now  acting  with  a number  of 
officers  under  the  authority  of  a new  government. 

As  I wish  to  have  full  and  proper  information  on  this  subject,  Major 
Samuel  Henderson  waits  upon  you  with  this,  by  whom  you  will  please 
to  transmit  me  an  account  of  the  late  proceedings  of  the  people  in  the 
western  country,  that  I may  have  it  in  my  power  to  communicate  the 
same  to  the  General  Assembly. 

The  general  discontent  that  prevailed  through  the  state  at  the  late 
Cession  act,  and  the  situation  of  our  public  accounts  not  being  as  fa- 
vourable as  they  were  taught  to  believe,  caused  the  Assembly  to  repeal 
that  act  by  a large  majority,  and  to  convince  the  people  of  the  western 
country,  that  the  state  still  retained  her  affection  for,  and  was  not  desi- 
rous to  part  with,  such  a respectable  body  of  citizens,  in  the  present 
situation  of  affairs,  attempted  to  make  government  as  easy  as  possible 
to  them  by  erecting  a new  Superior  Court  District,  creating  a Brigadier- 
General  of  the  Militia,  and  an  Assistant  Judge  of  the  said  Superior 
Court,  which  was,  in  short,  redressing  every  grievance,  and  removing 
every  obstacle  out  of  the  way  that  called  for  a separation,  and  which 
the  Legislature  were  induced  to  expect  from  one  of  the  members  of  that 
district,  would  give  full  satisfaction. 

It  has  also  been  suggested  that  the  Indian  goods  are  to  be  seized, 
and  the  Commissioners  arrested,  when  they  arrive,  on  the  business  of 
the  Treaty,  as  infringing  on  the  powers  of  your  new  government ; for 
which  reason  they  are  stopped,  and  I shall  not  proceed  with  the  Com- 
missioners until  we  are  assured  how  far  the  militia  of  Washington  Dis- 
trict may  be  relied  on  for  guards  in  conducting  the  Treaty,  whom  alone 
I intend  to  call  upon  to  attend  to  this  business. 

You  will  also  please  to  inform  me  respecting  the  late  Proclamations 
to  remove  off  all  intruders  on  the  Indian  lands,  and  what  is  done  in 
Hubbard’s  case,  of  which  I wrote  you  by  Colonel  Martin. 

Gov.  Martin  also  sent  another  Talk: 

To  the  Old  Tassel  of  Cliota,  and  all  the  warriors  of  the  Friendly 
Towns  of  the  Cherokee  nation  : 

Brothers : — The  time  is  about  arriving  when  I expected  to  have  held 
a great  Talk  with  you,  as  I promised  by  Col.  Martin,  and  hope  you  will 
not  charge  me  with  being  false  and  faithless  to  my  promise,  when  I ex- 


GOY.  martin’s  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  MAJOR  HENDERSON.  307 


plain  to  you  tlie  reason  why  this  business  is  obliged  to  be  put  off  to 
some  longer  time.  I am  sorry  to  give  you  this  information,  as  the  fault 
is  not  yours  or  mine ; but,  from  a circumstance  I could  not  have  foreseen, 
would  have  happened,  while  we  were  preparing  to  see  each  other  to  ex- 
change mutual  pledges  of  lasting  friendship.  A String. 

Our  brothers,  the  white  people  between  the  mountains  and  you,  wish 
to  have  a council  of  beloved  men  and  government  separate  from  your 
elder  brothers  of  North-Carolina,  with  whom  they  heretofore  sat  and 
held  all  their  councils  in  common. 

Your  elder  brothers  are  not  yet  agreed  to  their  separation  from  them, 
till  they  are  a more  numerous  and  stronger  people,  till  we  have  held 
Talks  together  on  the  terms  of  the  separation,  and  till  the  great  Council 
at  New-York  are  agreed ; while  these  things  are  settling  among  ourselves, 
the  talking  with  you  must  be  delayed,  as  the  meeting  must  be  on  the 
ground  where  they  live,  and  from  whom  we  must  procure  things  ne- 
cessary for  the  support  of  you  and  us  ; and  by  this  Talk  we  intend  to 
make  a chain  of  friendship  strong  and  bright,  that  will  last  forever  be- 
tween you  and  all  your  elder  brothers,  more  especially  those  who  live 
near  you.  We  wish  to  have  their  full  consent  and  hearty  assistance  as  one 
people  in  this  business.  A String. 

Brothers  : — Be’not  discouraged  at  this  delay.  Whatever  disputes  may 
be  between  your  elder  brothers,  I trust  it  will  not  concern  you,  more 
than  you  may  think  the  time  long  we  may  take  up  in  understanding 
ourselves.  In  the  meantime,  I,  as  your  elder  brother,  request  you  to  be 
peaceably  disposed  to  all  the  white  people  who  are  our  brothers,  and 
not  suffer  any  mischief  to  be  done  to  them,  either  to  their  persons  or  pro- 
perty, nor  listen  to  any  ill  Talks  which  may  be  offered  you,  either  from 
the  red  or  white  bad  people  ; but  should  any  injury  be  done  you  by  the 
white  people  near  you,  complain  to  their  head  and  beloved  men,  who  I 
hope  will  give  you  redress,  till  the  way  is  clear  for  you  and  us  of  North- 
Carolina  to  see  each  other.  A String. 

Brothers  : — The  time  is  shortly  to  be,  by  the  nature  of  our  govern- 
ment, when  I am  to  become  as  a private  brother,  but  the  good  Talks  that 
have  passed  between  us  will  not  be  forgotten.  I will  deliver  them  care- 
fully to  my  successor,  Governor  Caswell,  wrho  loves  you,  and  wishes  to 
Talk  with  you  in  the  same  manner  I have.  He  will  have  the  conducting 
of  the  future  Talks  with  you,  which  I hope  will  always  be  to  our  mu- 
tual satisfaction. 

GOV.  martin’s  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  MAJOR  SAMUEL  HENDERSON. 

Sir : — You  will  please  to  repair  with  despatch  to  General  Sevier, 
and  deliver  him  the  letters  herewith  handed  you,  and  request  his  an- 
swer. You  will  make  yourself  acquainted  with  the  transactions  of 
the  people  in  the  western  country,  such  as  their  holding  a Convention, 
and  learn  whether  the  same  be  temporary,  to  be  exercised  only  during 
the  time  of  the  late  Cession  act;  and  that  since  the  repeal  thereof,  they 
mean  still  to  consider  themselves  citizens  of  North-Carolina,  or  whether 
they  intend  the  same  to  be  perpetual,  and  what  measures  they  have 


308 


GOV.  SEVIER  ANNOUNCES  FRANKLIN  INDEPENDENT. 


taken  to  support  such  government.  That  you  procure  a copy  of  the 
constitution,  and  the  names  of  such  officers  at  present  exercising  the 
powers  of  the  new  government.  That  you  be  informed  whether  a fac- 
tion of  a few  leading  men  be  at  the  head  of  this  business,  or  whether  it 
be  the  sense  of  a large  majority  of  the  people  that  the  state  be  dis- 
membered at  this  crisis  of  affairs,  and  what  laws  and  resolutions  are 
formed  for  their  future  government;  also,  where  the  bounds  of  their 
new  state  are  to  extend,  and  whether  Cumberland  or  Kentucky,  or  both, 
are  to  be  included  therein,  and  whether  the  people  of  those  places  have 
also  taken  part  in  the  above  transactions.  You  will  learn  the  temper 
and  disposition  of  the  Indians,  and  what  is  done  in  Hubbard’s  case, 
and  how  his  conduct  is  approved  or  disapproved  in  general.  Lastly,  every 
other  information  you  think  necessary  to  procure,  you  will  communicate 
to  me  as  soon  as  possible ; at  the  same  time  you  will  conduct  yourself 
with  that  prudence  you  are  master  of,  in  not  throwing  out  menaces,  or 
making  use  of  any  language  that  may  serve  to  irritate  persons  con- 
cerned in  the  above  measures. 

The  authorities  of  North-Carolina  were  not  long  allowed 
to  remain  in  doubt  upon  the  subject  of  the  defection  of  the 
western  counties.  Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  Legis- 
lature of  the  State  of  Franklin,  and  the  appointment  of  its 
principal  officers,  a communication  was  addressed  to  Alex- 
ander Martin,  Esq.,  Governor  of  North-Carolina,  signed  by 
John  Sevier,  Governor,  and  Landon  Carter  and  William  Cage, 
as  Speakers  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Commons  of  the 
State  of  Franklin,  announcing  that  they  and  part  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  territory  lately  ceded  to  Congress,  had 
declared  themselves  independent  of  the  State  of  North-Caro- 
lina, and  no  longer  considered  themselves  under  the  sove- 
reignty and  jurisdiction  of  the  same,  and  assigning  the  rea- 
sons for  their  separation.  This  formal  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, officially  communicated  by  the  functionaries  of 
Franklin,  and  transmitted  to  the  Executive  of  North-Caro 
lina,  induced  Governor  Martin  to  issue  his  circular  under 
date,  Danbury,  April  7th,  1785,  to  the  members  of  Council, 
requiring  them  to  meet  him  at  Hillsborough  on  the  22d  inst. 
In  his  circular,  he  goes  on  to  say  that  the  inhabitants  of  the 
western  counties  “had  declared  themselves  independent  of 
the  State  of  North-Carolina,  and  have  refused,  and  do  refuse, 
to  pay  obedience  to  the  jurisdiction  and  sovereignty  of  the 
same  and  he  convenes  them  at  Hillsborough,  “then  and 
there  in  your  wisdom  to  deliberate  and  advise  the  measures 
necessary  to  be  taken  on  this  occasion.” 


gov.  martin’s  manifesto. 


309 


Three  days  after  the  meeting  of  his  Council,  Governor 
Martin  issued  a Proclamation  as  follows  : — ‘‘Whereas,  I have 
received  undoubted  information  of  the  revolt  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Washington,  Greene  and  Sullivan  counties,  who  have 
declared  themselves  independent  of  the  State  of  North-Caro- 
lina,  under  the  name  of  the  State  of  Franldin ,”  and  then 
convenes  the  Legislature  at  Newbern,  on  the  1st  of  June. 

Upon  the  same  day  he  issued  also  the  following  spirited 
and  elaborate  Manifesto  : 

State  of  North-Carolina  . 

By  His  Excellency  Alexander  Martin,  Esquire,  Governor,  Captain- 

General  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  State  aforesaid — 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Counties  of  Washington , Sullivan  and  Greene: 

A MANIFESTO. 

Whereas,  I have  received  letters  from  Brigadier-General  Sevier,  under 
the  style  and  character  of  Governor,  and  from  Messrs.  Landon  Carter  and 
William  Cage,  as  Speakers  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Commons  of  the 
State  of  Franklin,  informing  me  that  they,  with  you,  the  inhabitants  of 
part  of  the  territory  lately  ceded  to  Congress,  had  declared  themselves  in- 
dependent of  the  State  of  North-Carolina,  and  no  longer  consider  them- 
selves under  the  sovereignty  and  jurisdiction  of  the  same,  stating  their 
reason  for  their  separation  and  revolt — among  which  it  is  alledged,  that 
the  western  country  was  ceded  to  Congress  without  their  consent,  by  an 
act  of  the  legislature,  and  the  same  was  repealed  in  the  like  manner. 

It  is  evident,  from  the  journals  of  that  Assembly,  how  far  that  asser- 
tion is  supported,  which  held  up  to  public  view  the  names  of  those  who 
voted  on  the  different  sides  of  that  important  question,  where  is  found  a 
considerable  number,  if  not  a majority,  of  the  members — some  of  whom 
are  leaders  in  the  present  revolt — then  representing  the  above  counties, 
in  support  of  that  act  they  now  deem  impolitic  and  pretend  to  reprobate — 
which,  in  all  probability,  would  not  have  passed  but  through  their  influ- 
ence and  assiduity — whose  passage  at  length  was  effected  but  by  a small 
majority,  and  by  which  a cession  of  the  vacant  territory  was  only  made 
and  obtained  with  a power  to  the  delegates  to  complete  the  same  by 
grants,  but  that  government  should  still  be  supported,  and  that  anarchy 
prevented — which  is  now  suggested — the  western  people  were  ready  to 
fall  into.  The  sovereignty  and  jurisdiction  of  the  state  were,  by  another 
act  passed  by  the  same  assembly,  reserved  and  asserted  over  the  ceded 
territory,  with  all  the  powers  and  authorities  as  full  and  ample  as  before, 
until  Congress  should  accept  the  same. 

The  last  Assembly  having  learned  what  uneasiness  and  discontent  the 
Cession  act  had  occasioned  throughout  the  state,  whose  inhabitants  had 
not  been  previously  consulted  on  that  measure,  in  whom,  by  the  consti- 
tution, the  soil  and  territorial  rights  of  the  state  are  particularly  vested, 
judging  the  said  act  impolitic  at  this  time,  more  especially  as  it  would, 
for  a small  consideration,  dismember  the  state  of  one  half  of  her  territo- 


310  EXPLAINS  THE  CESSION  ACT  AND  THE  CAUSES  OP  ITS  REPEAL, 

ry,  and  in  the  end  tear  from  her  a respectable  body  of  her  citizens,  when 
no  one  state  in  the  Union  had  parted  with  any  of  their  citizens,  or  given 
anything-  like  an  equivalent  to  Congress  but  vacant  lands  of  an  equivo- 
cal and  disputed  title  and  distant  situation ; and  also  considering  that 
the  said  act,  by  its  tenor  and  purport,  was  revocable  at  any  time  before 
the  cession  should  have  been  completed  by  the  delegates,  who  repealed  it 
by  a great  majority  ; at  the  same  time,  the  Assembly,  to  convince  the 
people  of  the  western  country  of  their  affection  and  attention  to  their 
interest,  attempted  to  render  government  as  easy  as  possible  to  them, 
by  removing  the  only  general  inconvenience  and  grievance  they  might 
labour  under,  for  the  want  of  a regular  administration  of  criminal  jus- 
tice, and  a proper  and  immediate  command  of  the  militia ; a new  district 
was  erected,  an  assistant  judge  and  a brigadier-general  were  appointed. 

Another  reason  for  the  revolt  is  assigned,  that,  the  Assembly  on  the 
Cession  act  stopped  a quantity  of  goods  intended  for  the  Cherokee  In- 
dians, as  a compensation  for  their  claim  to  the  western  lands  ; and  that 
the  Indians  had  committed  hostilities,  in  consequence  thereof.  The 
journals  of  the  Assembly  evince  the  contrary  ; that  the  said  goods  were 
still  to  be  given  to  the  Indians,  but  under  the  regulations  of  Congress, 
should  the  cession  take  place  ; which  occasioned  the  delay  of  not  imme- 
diately sending  them  forward  ; of  which  the  Indians  were  immediately 
notified,  and  I am  well  informed  that  no  hostilities  or  mischiefs  have 
been  committed  on  this  account ; but,  on  the  other  hand,  that  provo- 
cations have  been,  and  are  daily  given,  their  lands  trespassed  upon,  and 
even  one  of  their  chiefs  has  been  lately  murdered,  with  impunity. 

On  the  repeal  of  the  Cession  act,  a treaty  was  ordered  to  be  held  with 
the  Indians,  and  the  goods  distributed  as  soon  as  the  season  would 
permit;  which,  before  this,  would  have  been  carried  into  effect,  had  not 
the  face  of  affairs  been  changed. 

Under  what  character,  but  truly  disgraceful,  could  the  State  of  ISTorth- 
Carolina  suffer  treaties  to  be  held  with  the  Indians,  and  other  business 
transacted  in  a country,  where  her  authority  and  government  were  re- 
jected and  set  at  naught,  her  officers  liable  to  insult,  void  of  assistance 
or  protection. 

The  particular  attention  the  legislature  have  paid  to  the  interest  of 
the  western  citizens,  though  calculated  to  conciliate  their  affection  and 
esteem,  has  not  been  satisfactory,  it  seems  : but  the  same  has  been  at- 
tributed to  interest  and  lucrative  designs.  Whatever  designs  the  ' legis- 
lature entertained  in  the  repeal  of  the  said  act,  they  have  made  it  ap- 
pear that  their  wisdom  considered  that  the  situation  of  our  public  ac- 
counts was  somewhat  changed  since  that  Assembly,  and  that  the  interest 
of  the  state  should  immediately  be  consulted  and  attended  to,  that 
every  citizen  should  reap  the  advantage  of  the  vacant  territory,  that  the 
same  should  be  reserved  for  the  payment  of  the  public  debts  of  the 
state,  under  such  regulations  hereafter  to  be  adopted  ; judging  it  ill- 
timed  generosity  at  this  crisis,  to  be  too  liberal  of  the  means  that  would 
so  greatly  contribute  to  her  honesty  and  justice. 

But  designs  of  a more  dangerous  nature  and  deeper  die  seem  to 
glare  in  the  western  revolt.  The  power  usurped  over  the  vacant  terri- 
tory, the  Union  deriving  no  emolument  from  the  same,  not  even  the 


AND  IMPUTES  SINISTER  DESIGNS  TO  THE  INSURGENTS.  311 


proportional  part  intended  the  old  states  by  the  cession  being  reserved, 
her  jurisdiction  and  sovereignty  over  that  country  (which,  by  the  con- 
sent of  its  representatives,  were  still  to  remain  and  be  exercised)  rejected 
and  deposed  ; her  public  revenue  in  that  part  of  her  government  seized 
by  the  new  authority,  and  not  suffered  to  be  paid  to  the  lawful  Trea- 
surer, but  appropriated  to  different  purposes,  as  intended  by  the  Legis- 
lature,— are  all  facts,  evincing  that  a restless  ambition  and  a lawless 
thirst  of  power,  have  inspired  this  enterprise,  by  which  the  persons  con- 
cerned therein,  may  be  precipitated  into  measures  that  may,  at  last, 
bring  down  ruin,  not  only  6n  themselves,  but  our  country  at  large. 

In  order,  therefore,  to  reclaim  such  citizens,  who,  by  specious  pretences 
and  the  acts  of  designing  men,  have  been  seduced  from  their  allegiance, 
to  restrain  others  from  following  their  example  who  are  wavering,  and 
to  confirm  the  attachment  and  affection  of  those  who  adhere  to  the  old 
government,  and  whose  fidelity  hath  not  yet  been  shaken,  I have 
thought  proper  to  issue  this  Manifesto,  hereby  warning  all  persons  con- 
cerned in  the  said  revolt,  that  they  return  to  their  duty  and  allegiance, 
and  forbear  paying  any  obedience  to  any  self-created  power  and  authority 
unknown  to  the  constitution  of  the  state,  and  not  sanctified  by  the 
Legislature.  That  they  and  you  consider  the  consequences  that  may 
attend  such  a dangerous  and  unwarrantable  procedure ; that  far  less 
causes  have  deluged  states  and  kingdoms  with  blood,  which,  at  length, 
have  terminated  their  existence,  either  by  subjecting  them  a prey  to 
foreign  conquerors,  or  erecting  in  their  room  a despotism  that  has  bid- 
den defiance  to  time  to  shake  off ; — the  lowest  state  of  misery,  human 
nature,  under  such  a government,  can  be  reduced  to.  That  they  reflect 
there  is  a national  pride  in  all  kingdoms  and  states,  that  inspires  every 
subject  and  citizen  with  a degree  of  importance — the  grand  cement  and 
support  of  every  government- — which  must  not  be  insulted.  That  the 
honour  of  this  State  has  been  particularly  wounded,  by  seizing  that 
by  violence  which,  in  time,  no  doubt,  would  have  been  obtained  by 
consent,  when  the  terms  of  separation  would  have  been  explained  and 
stipulated,  to  the  mutual  satisfaction  of  the  mother  and  new  state. 
That  Congress,  by  the  confederation,  cannot  countenance  such  a separa- 
tion, wherein  the  State  of  North-Carolina  hath  not  given  her  full  con- 
sent; and  if  an  implied  or  conditional  one  hath  been  given,  the  same 
hath  been  rescinded  by  a full  Legislature.  Of  her  reasons  for  so  doing 
they  consider  themselves  the  only  competent  judges, 

That  by  such  rash  and  irregular  conduct  a precedent  is  formed  for 
every  district, -and  even  'every  county  of  the  state,  to  claim  the  right 
of  separation  and  independency  for  any  supposed  grievance  of  the 
inhabitants,  as  caprice,  pride  and  ambition  shall  dictate,  at  pleasure, 
thereby  exhibiting  to  the  world  a melancholy  instance  of  a feeble  or 
pusillanimous  government,  that  is  either  unable  or  dares  not  restrain  the 
lawless  designs  of  its  citizens,  which  will  give  ample  cause  of  exultation 
to  our  late  enemies,  and  raise  their  hopes  that  they  may  hereafter  gain, 
by  the  division  among  ourselves,  that  dominion  their  tyranny  and  arms 
have  lost,  and  could  not  maintain. 

That  you  tarnish  not  the  laurels  you  have  so  gloriously  won  at  King’s 
Mountain  and  elsewhere,  in  supporting  the  freedom  and  independence 


312 


GOVERNOR  MARTIN  THREATENS  THE  REVOLTERS. 


of  the  United  States,  and  this  state  in  particular,  to  be  whose  citizens 
were  then  your  boast,  in  being  concerned  in  a black  and  traitorous  revolt 
from  that  government  in  whose  defence  you  have  so  copiously  bled,  and 
which,  by  solemn  oath,  you  are  still  bound  to  support.  Let  not  Ver- 
mont be  held  up  as  an  example  on  this  occasion.  Vermont,  we  are 
informed,  had  her  claims  for  a separate  government  at  the  first  exist- 
ence of  the  American  war,  and,  as  such,  with  the  other  states,  although 
not  in  the  Union,  hath  exerted  her  powers  against  the  late  common 
enemy. 

That  you  be  not  insulted  or  led  away  with  the  pageantry  of  a mock 
government  without  the  essentials — the  shadow  without  the  substance — 
which  always  dazzles  weak  minds,  and  which  will,  in  its  present  form 
and  manner  of  existence,  not  only  subject  you  to  the  ridicule  and  con- 
tempt of  the  world,  but  rouse  the  indignation  of  the  other  states  in  the 
Union  at  your  obtruding  yourselves  as  a power  among  them  without 
their  consent.  Consider  what  a number  of  men  of  different  abilities 
will  be  wanting  to  fill  the  civil  list  of  the  State  of  Franklin,  and  the 
expense  necessary  to  support  them  suitable  to  their  various  degrees  of 
dignity,  when  the  District  of  Washington,  with  its  present  officers, 
might  answer  all  the  purposes  of  a happy  government  until  the  period 
arrive  when  a separation  might  take  place  to  mutual  advantage  and 
satisfaction  on  an  honourable  footing.  The  Legislature  will  shortly 
meet,  before  whom  the  transactions  of  your  leaders  will  be  laid.  Let 
your  representatives  come  forward  and  present  every  grievance  in  a 
constitutional  manner,  that  they  may  be  redressed;  and  let  your  terms 
of  separation  be  proposed  with  decency,  your  proportion  of  the  public 
debts  ascertained,  the  vacant  territory  appropriated  to  the  mutual 
benefit  of  both  parties,  in  such  manner  and  proportion  as  may  be  just 
and  reasonable;  let  your  proposals  be  consistent  with  the  honour  of  the 
state  to  accede  to,  which,  by  your  allegiance  as  good  citizens,  you 
cannot  violate,  and  I make  no  doubt  but  her  generosity,  in  time,  will 
meet  your  wishes. 

But,  on  the  contrary,  should  you  be  hurried  on  by  blind  ambition  to 
pursue  your  present  unjustifiable  measures,  which  may  open  afresh  the 
wounds  of  this  late  bleeding  country,  and  plunge  it  again  into  all  the 
miseries  of  a civil  war,  which  God  avert,  let  the  fatal  consequences  be 
charged  upon  the  authors.  It  is  only  time  which  can  reveal  the  event. 
I know  with  reluctance  the  state  will  be  driven  to  arms  ; it  will  be  the 
last  alternative  to  imbrue  her  hands  in  the  blood  of  her  citizens  ; but  if  no 
other  ways  and  means  are  found  to  save  her  honour,  and  reclaim  her 
head-strong,  refractory  citizens,  but  this  last  sad  expedient,  her  resources 
are  not  yet  so  exhausted  or  her  spirits  damped,  but  she  may  take  satis- 
faction for  this  great  injury  received,  regain  her  government  over  the  re- 
volted territory  or  render  it  not  worth  possessing.  But  all  these  effects  may 
be  prevented,  at  this  time,  by  removing  the  causes,  by  those  who  have 
revolted  returning  to  their  duty,  and  those  who  have  stood  firm,  still  con- 
tinue to  support  the  government  of  this  state,  until  the  consent  of  the 
legislature  be  fully  and  constitutionally  had  for  a separate  sovereignty  and 
jurisdiction.  All  which,  by  virtue  of  the  powrers  and  authorities  which 
your  representatives  and  others  of  the  state  at  large  have  invested  me 


ITS  EFFECTS  IN  FRANKLIN. 


313 


with  in  General  Assembly,  I hereby  will  command  and  require,  as 
you  will  be  liable  to  answer  all  the  pains  and  penalties  that  may  ensue 
on  the  contrary. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  Great  Seal  of  the  State,  ivhicli  I have 
caused  to  be  hereunto  affixed,  at  Hillsborough,  the  twenty-fifth  day  of 
April,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1785,  and  ninth  year  of  the  Independence 
of  the  said  State. 

ALEXANDER  MARTIN. 

By  His  Excellency’s  command. 

James  Glasgow,  Secretary. 

A document  such  as  this,  emanating  from  the  highest 
authority  known  to  the  sovereignty  of  North-Carolina,  con- 
ceived in  language  and  spirit  at  once  conciliatory  and  re- 
spectful, though  earnest  and  firm,  could  not  be  wholly  disre- 
garded, and  was  not  without  its  influence  upon  the  reflect- 
ing and  considerate.  Copies  of  it,  in  manuscript,  were  dis- 
tributed, and  read  amongst  the  citizens  of  the  new  state.  A 
closer  scrutiny  into  the  measure  of  separation  that  had  been 
adopted,  was  instituted.  A few  had,  from  the  first,  advised 
adherence  to  the  mother  state.  Their  number  had  increased, 
after  the  repeal  of  the  Cession  act.  To  such,  the  Manifesto 
of  Governor  Martin  furnished  new  weapons  against  Frank- 
lin and  their  present  rulers.  But  no  one  contemplated  or 
advised  a permanent  connection  between  North-Carolina 
and  her  western  counties,  as  a return  to  their  former  alle- 
giance must  soon  be  succeeded  by  another  separation  from 
her,  perhaps  not  less  difficult,  or  of  less  questionable  validity. 
The  policy  of  ceding  the  western  territory  to  Congress,  might 
ultimately  be  re-adopted,  and  the  existing  imbecile  condition 
of  the  Confederacy,  led  no  one  to  think  favourably  of  that 
alternative.  A very  large  majority  of  the  people,  therefore, 
remained  firm  in  their  attachment  to  the  new  common- 
wealth ; its  machinery  worked  well.  Law  was,  thus  far, 
effectually  administered.  Treaties,  for  the  acquisition  of 
new  Indian  lands,  were  contemplated,  the  settlements  were 
daily  augmenting  in  number  and  strength,  and  the  new  gov- 
ernment was  acquiring  vigour  and  stability,  from  a proposed 
annexation  of  a part  of  Virginia.  Besides  this,  there  was  a 
charm  in  the  idea  of  independence.  The  Manifesto  itself 
evidently  contemplated,  and  seemed  to  sanction,  a separation, 
as  not  improbable  at  an  early  day  ; and  as,  in  the  minds  of 


314 


GOVERNOR  SEVIER’S  COUNTER-MANIFESTO, 


most  men,  the  question  was  one  merely  as  to  time,  it  was 
almost  unanimously  determined  by  the  people  to  maintain 
their  present  position.  The  authorities  of  Franklin  so  de- 
cided also.  Governor  Sevier,  accordingly,  on  the  fourteenth 
of  May,  addressed  to  Governor  Caswell,  who  had  succeeded 
Martin  in  the  executive  chair  of  North-Carolina,  his  Mani- 
festo, setting  forth  the  proceedings  of  the  State  of  Franklin, 
and  answering,  in  detail,  the  complaints  made  against  it  by 
Governor  Martin. 

Governor  Sevier  writes  to  Governor  Caswell  under  date  : 

State  of  Franklin, 

Washington  County,  14th  May,  1785. 

Sir  : — Governor  Martin  has  lately  sent  up  into  our  country  a Mani- 
festo, together  with  letters  to  private  persons,  in  order  to  stir  up  sedi- 
tion and  insurrection,  thinking,  thereby,  to  destroy  that  peace  and  tran- 
quillity, which  have  so  greatly  subsisted  among  the  peaceful  citizens  of 
this  country. 

First  in  the  Manifesto,  he  charges  us  with  a revolt  from  North-Caro- 
lina, by  declaring  ourselves  independent  of  that  state.  Secondly,  that 
designs  of  a more  dangerous  nature  and  deeper  die  seem  to  glare  in  the 
western  revolt,  the  power  being  usurped  over  the  western  vacant  terri- 
tory, the  Union  deriving  no  emolument  from  the  same,  not  even  the 
part  intended  for  North-Carolina  by  the  cession,  and  that  part  of  her 
revenue  is  seized  by  the  new  authority  and  appropriated  to  different 
purposes  than  those  intended  by  your  legislature. 

His  Excellency  is  pleased  to  mention  that  one  reason  we  have  as-  j 
signed  for  the  revolt,  as  he  terms  it,  is  that  the  goods  were  stopped  from 
the  Indians,  that  were  to  compensate  them  for  the  western  lands,  and 
that  the  Indians  had  committed  murders  in  consequence  thereof.  He 
is  also  pleased  to  say  that  he  is  well  informed  to  the  contrary,  and  that 
no  hostilities  have  been  committed  on  that  account ; but  on  the  other 
hand,  provocations  are  daily  given  the  Indian^,  and  one  of  their  chiefs 
murdered  with  impunity.  In  answer  to  the  charge  relative  to  what 
His  Excellency  is  pleased  to  call  the  revolt,  I must  beg  leave  to  differ 
with  him  in  sentiment  on  that  occasion  ; for  your  own  acts  declare  to  i 

the  world  that  this  country  was  ceded  off  to  Congress,  and  one  part  of 
the  express  condition  was,  that  the  same  should  be  erected  into  one  or 
more  states  ; and  we  believe  that  body  was  candid,  and  that  they  fully 
believe  a new  state  would  tend  to  the  mutual  advantage  of  all  parties  ; 
that  they  were  as  well  acquainted  with  our  circumstances  at  that  time, 
as  Governor  Martin  can  be  since,  and  that  they  did  not  think  a new 
government  here  would  be  led  away  by  the  pageantry  of  a mock  gov- 
ernment without  the  essentials,  and  leave  nothing  among  us  but  a 
shadow,  as  represented  by  him. 

But  if  Governor  Martin  is  right  in  his  suggestion,  we  can  only  say 
that  the  Assembly  of  North-Carolina  deceived  us,  and  were  urging  us  on 


IN  EXPLANATION  OF  SEPARATION. 


315 


into  total  ruin,  and  laying  a plan  to  destroy  that  part  of  her  citizens  she 
so  often  frankly  confessed  saved  the  parent  state  from  ruin.  But  the  peo- 
ple here,  neither  at  that  time  nor  the  present,  having  the  most  distant 
idea  of  any  such  intended  deception,  and  at  the  same  time  well  knowing 
how  pressingly  Congress  had  requested  a cession  to  be  made  of  the 
western  territory  ever  since  the  bth  of  September  and  10th  of  Octo- 
ber, in  the  year  1780 — these  several  circumstances,  together  with  a 
real  necessity  to  prevent  anarchy,  promote  our  own  happiness,  and  pro- 
vide against  the  common  enemy,  that  always  infest  this  part  of  the 
world,  induced  and  compelled  the  people  here  to  act  as  they  have  done 
innocently  : thinking,  at  the  same  time,  your  acts  tolerated  them  in  the 
separation.  Therefore,  we  can  by  no  means  think  it  can  be  called  a re- 
volt or  known  by  such  a name.  As  to  the  second  charge,  it  is  entirely 
groundless.  We  have  by  no  act,  whatever,  laid  hold  of  one  foot  of  the 
vacant  land,  neither  have  we  appropriated  any  of  the  same  to  any  of  our 
use  or  uses,  but  intend  everything  of  that  nature  for  further  delibera- 
tion, and  to  be  mutually  settled  according  to  the  right  and  claim  of  each 
party. 

As  to  that  part  of  seizing  the  public  money,  it  is  groundless  as  the 
former.  For  no  authority  among  us,  whatever,  has  laid  hold  of  or  ap- 
propriated one  farthing  of  the  same  to  our  uses  in  any  shape  whatever, 
but  the  same  is  still  in  the  hands  of  the  sheriff  and  collectors.  And  on 
the  other  hand,  we  have  passed  such  laws  as  will  both  compel  and  justify 
them  in  settling  and  paying  up  to  the. respective  claimants  of  the  same  ; 
all  which  will  appear  in  our  acts,  which  will  be  laid  before  you  and  fully 
evince  to  the  reverse  of  Governor  Martin’s  charge  in  the  Manifesto. 

Very  true,  we  suggest  that  the  Indians  have  committed  murders  in 
consequence  of  the  delay  of  the  goods.  Nearly  forty  people  have  been 
murdered  since  the  Cession  Bill  passed,  some  of  which  lived  in  our  own 
counties,  and  the  remainder  on  the  Kentucky  Path  ; and  it  is  evidently 
known  to  the  Cherokees,  and  their  frequent  Talks  prove,  they  are  exas- 
perated at  getting  nothing  for  their  lands,  and  in  all  probability  had 
their  goods  been  furnished,  no  hostilities  would  have  been  committed. 

The  murder  committed  with  impunity,  alluding  to  Major  Hubbard’s 
killing  a half-breed,  which  Governor  Martin  calls  a chief  (but  who  was 
never  any  such  thing  among  the  Indians).  We  can’t  pretend  to  say 
what  information  His  Excellency  has  received  on  this  subject,  more 
than  the  others,  or  where  from.  This  we  know,  that  all  the  proof  was 
had  against  Hubbard  that  ever  can  be  had,  which  is,  the  Indian  first 
struck,  and  then  discharged  his  gun  at  Hubbard,  before  the  Indian  was 
killed  by  Hubbard.  As  Governor  Martin  reprobates  the  measure  in  so 
great  a degree,  I can’t  pretend  to  say  what  he  might  have  done,  but 
must  believe,  that  had  any  other  person  met  with  the  same  insult  from 
one  of  those  bloody  savages,  who  have  so  frequently  murdered  the 
wives  and  children  of  the  people  of  this  country  for  many  years  past,  I 
say  had  they  been  possessed  of  that  manly  and  soldierly  spirit  that  be- 
comes an  American,  they  must  have  acted  like  Hubbard. 

I have  now  noticed  to  your  Excellency  the  principal  complaints  in  the 
Manifesto,  and  such  as  I think  is  worth  observation,  and  have  called 


316 


governor  caswell’s  reply 


forth  such  proofs  as  must  evince  fully  the  reverse  of  the  charge  and 
complaints  set  forth. 

The  menaces  made  use  of  in  the  Manifesto  will  by  no  means  intimi- 
date us.  We  mean  to  pursue  our  necessary  measures,  and  with  the 
fullest  confidence  believe  that  your  legislature,  when  truly  informed  of 
our  civil  proceedings,  will  find  no  cause  for  resenting  anything  we  have 
done. 

Most  certain  it  is,  that  nothing  has  been  transacted  here  out  of  any 
disregard  for  the  parent  state,  but  we  still  entertain  the  same  high 
opinion  and  have  the  same  regard  and  affection  for  her,  that  ever  we 
had,  and  would  be  as  ready  to  step  forth  in  her  defence  as  ever  we  did, 
should  need  require  it. 

Also  our  acts  and  resolutions  will  evince  to  the  world,  that  we  have 
paid  all  due  respect  to  your  state.  First,  in  taking  up  and  adopting 
her  constitution  and  then  her  laws,  together  with  naming  several  new 
counties  and  also  an  academy  after  some  of  the  first  men  in  your  state. 

The  repeal  of  the  Cession  act  we  cannot  take  notice  of,  as  we  had  de- 
clared our  separation  before  the  repeal.  Therefore,  we  are  bound  to 
support  it  with  that  manly  firmness  that  becomes  freemen. 

Our  Assembly  sits  again  in  August,  at  which  time  it  is  expected 
commissioners  will  be  appointed  to  adjust  and  consider  on  such  matters 
of  moment,  as  will  be  consistent  with  the  honour  and  interest  of  each 
party. 

The  disagreeable  and  sickly  time  of  the  year,  together  with  the  great 
distance  from  Newbern,  as  also  the  short  notice,  puts  it  out  of  the  power 
of  any  person  to  attend  from  this  quarter  at  this  time. 

Our  agent  is  at  Congress,  and  tve  daily  expect  information  from  that 
quarter,  respecting  our  present  measures,  and  hope  to  be  advised 
thereon. 

We  are  informed  that  Congress  have  communicated  to  your  state  re- 
specting the  repeal  of  the  Cession  act.  Be  that  as  it  may,  I am  au- 
thorized to  say  nothing  will  be  lacking  in  us,  to  forward  everything  that 
will  tend  to  the  mutual  benefit  of  each  party  and  conciliate  all  matters 
whatever.* 

To  this  counter-manifesto  of  Gov.  Sevier,  Governor  Cas- 
well replied,  under  date — 

Kinston,  N.  C.,  17th  June,  1785. 

Sir: — Your  favour  of  the  14th  of  last  month,  I had  the  honour  to 
receive  by  Colonel  Avery. 

In  this,  sir,  you  have  stated  the  different  charges  mentioned  in 
Governor  Martin’s  Manifesto,  and  answered  them  by  giving  what  I 
understand  to  be  the  sense  of  the  people,  and  your  own  sentiments,  with 
respect  to  each  charge,  as  well  as  the  reasons  which  governed  in  the 
measures  he  complained  of. 

* For  this  letter,  I am  indebted  to  the  politeness  of  Hon.  D.  L.  Swain.  It  is 
extracted  from  the  letter  book  of  Gov.  Caswell  in  his  possession. 


DRAWS  FROM  SEVIER  FURTHER  VINDICATION. 


317 


I liave  not  seen  Governor  Martin’s  Manifesto,  nor  have  I derived  so 
full  and  explicit  information  from  any  quarter  as  this  you  have  been 
pleased  to  give  me.  As  there  was  not  an  Assembly,  owing  to  the 
members  not  attending  at  Governor  Martin’s  request,  the  sense  of  the 
Legislature,  on  this  business,  of  course,  could  not  be  had,  and  as  you 
give  me  assurances  of  the  peaceable  disposition  of  the  people,  and  their 
wish  to  conduct  themselves  in  the  manner  you  mention,  and  also  to 
send  persons  to  adjust,  consider  and  conciliate  matters,  I suppose,  to  the 
next  Assembly,  for  the  present,  things  must  rest  as  they  are  with 
respect  to  the  subject  matter  of  your  letter,  which  shall  be  laid  before 
the  next  Assembly.  In  the  meantime,  let  me  entreat  you  not,  by  any 
means,  to  consider  this  as  giving  countenance,  by  the  executive  of  the 
state,  to  any  measures  lately  pursued  by  the  people  to  the  westward 
of  the  mountains. 

With  regard  to  the  goods  intended,  by  the  state,  for  the  Indians  as  a 
compensation  for  the  lands,  they,  I believe,  have  been  ready  for  many 
months,  at  Washington,  and  if  I can  procure  wagons  to  convey  them 
to  the  place  destined,  (the  Long  Island,)  I mean  to  send  them  there 
to  be  disposed  of  according  to  the  original  intention  of  the  Assembly, 
and  will  either  attend  myself  or  appoint  commissioners  to  treat  with 
the  Indians  ; but  in  this,  you  know,  it  is  necessary  that  whoever  attends 
should  be  protected  by  the  militia,  and,  under  the  present  situation  of 
affairs,  it  is  possible  my  orders  may  not  be  attended  to  in  that  particular  ; 
and  however  a man  may  submit  to  these  things  in  a private  character, 
he  may  be  answerable  to  the  people,  at  least  they  may  judge  it  so,  in  a 
public  situation.  Therefore,  without  your  assurances  of  the  officers  and 
men  under  your  command  being  subject  to  my  orders  in  this  case,  as 
matters  stand,  I think  it  would  be  imprudent  in  me  to  come  over  or  send 
commissioners  to  treat  with  the  Indians.  Of  this  you  will  be  pleased 
to  write  me  the  first  favourable  opportunity.  It  is  my  wish  to  come 
over  myself,  and  if  matters  turn  so  that  I can  with  convenience,  it  is 
probable  I may. 

Governor  Sevier  farther  writes  : 

Washington  County,  17th  October,  1785. 

Sir: — Having  wrote  you  fully,  in  my  letter  of  the  14th  May  last, 
relative  to  the  proceedings  of  the  State  of  Franklin,  and  answered  some 
complaints  set  forth  in  Governor  Martin’s  Manifesto  in  the  same,  I shall 
now  only  take  the  liberty  to  inform  ypur  Excellency  that  our  Assembly 
have  appointed  a person  to  wait  on  your  Assembly,  with  some  resolves 
entered  into  by  our  Legislature. 

Permit  me  to  assure  your  Excellency  that  it  was  not  from  any  disgust 
or  uneasiness  that  we  had,  while  under  the  parent  state,  that  occasioned 
the  separation.  Our  local  situation  you  are  sufficiently  acquainted  with, 
and  your  Cession  Act,  together  with  the  frequent  requisitions  from 
Congress,  bad  convinced  us  that  a separation  would  inevitably  take 
place,  and,  at  the  time  of  our  declaration,  we  had  not  the  most  distant 
idea  that  we  should  give  any  umbrage  to  our  parent  state,  but,  on  the 
other  hand,  thought  your  Legislature  had  fully  tolerated  the  separation. 
I am  able,  in  truth,  to  say  that  the  people  of  this  country  wish  to  do 


318 


COLONEL  MARTIN  TO  GOVERNOR  CASWELL. 


nothing  that  will  be  inconsistent  with  the  honour  and  interest  of  each 
party. 

The  people  of  this  state  regard  North-0 arolina  with  particular  affec- 
tion, and  will  never  cease  to  feel  an  interest  in  whatever  may  concern 
her  honour  and  safety,  and  our  hearty  and  kind  wishes  will  always 
attend  the  parent  state. 

Before  this  letter  was  written,  Governor  Sevier  had,  in 
T785  i conjunction  with  other  commissioners,  under  the  au- 
l thority  of  Franklin,  already  concluded  a satisfactory 
treaty  with  the  Indians,  and  felt  neither  the  disposition  nor 
the  necessity  of  replying  to  that  part  of  Governor  Caswell’s 
letter,  which  related  to  Indian  affairs.  It  seems  to  have  been 
wholly  disregarded  west  of  the  mountains ; for,  in  August,  as 
had  been  provided  for,  the  Assembly  of  Franklin  met  again, 
and  legislated  further  in  promotion  of  the  ulterior  views  of 
the  new  government.  At  this  session,  a law  was  passed,  en- 
couraging an  expedition  that  was  to  proceed  down  the  Ten- 
nessee, on  its  western  side,  and  take  possession  of  the  great 
bend  of  that  river,  under  titles  derived  from  the  State  of 
Georgia. 

In  the  meantime,  Colonel  Joseph  Martin,  whose  name  is 
found  amongst  the  members  of  the  first  convention  at  Jones- 
borough,  in  discharge  of  his  duty  as  Indian  Agent  for 
North-Carolina,  had  visited  the  Cherokee  nation.  Arrived 
at  the  Beloved  Toyvn,  he  writes  to  Governor  Caswell,  under 
date, 

Chota,  19th  September,  1*785. 

Bear  Sir: — Your  Excellency’s  favour  of  the  l*7th  June,  by  Mr. 
Avery,  never  came  to  hand  until  the  10th  inst.  I find  myself  under 
some  concern,  in  reading  that  part  wherein  I am  considered  a member 
of  the  new  state.  I beg  leave  to  assure  your  Excellency,  that  I have 
no  part  with  them,  but  consider  myself  under  your  immediate  direction, 
as  agent  for  the  State  of  North-Carolina,  until  the  Assembly  shall  direct 
otherwise.  I am  now  on  the  duties  of  that  office,  and  have  had  more 
trouble  with  the  Indians,  in  the  course  of  the  summer,  than  I ever  had, 
owing  to  the  rapid  encroachments  of  the  people  from  the  new  state, 
together  with  the  Talks  from  the  Spaniards  and  the  Western  Indians. 

These  Talks,  as  further  communicated  by  Colonel  Martin, 
indicated  renewed  hostilities  from  several  Indian  tribes,  in- 
stigated by  the  Spaniards,  who  were  urging  their  claims  to 
much  of  the  western  country,  and  to  the  exclusive  naviga- 
tion of  the  Mississippi  River. 


/ 


ENCLOSED  TALKS  FROM  CHOTA.  319 

With  this  letter,  was  also  sent  the  subjoined  Talk  of  the 
Old  Tassel. 

Chota,  19th  September,  1785. 

Brother : — I am  now  going  to  speak  to  you  ; I hope  you  will  hear 
me.  I am  an  old  man,  and  almost  thrown  away  by  my  elder  brother. 
The  ground  I stand  on  is  very  slippery,  though  I still  hope  my  elder 
brother  will  hear  me  and  take  pity  on  me,  as  we  were  all  made  by  the 
same  Great  Being  above ; we  are  all  children  of  the  same  parent.  I 
therefore  hope  my  elder  brother  will  hear  me. 

You  have  often  promised  me,  in  Talks  that  you  sent  me,  that  you 
would  do  me  justice,  and  that  all  disorderly  people  should  be  moved  off 
our  lands  ; but  the  longer  we  want  to  see  it  done,  the  farther  it  seems 
off.  Your  people  have  built  houses  in  sight  of  our  towns.  We  don’t 
want  to  quarrel  with  you,  our  elder  brother  ; I therefore  beg  that  you, 
our  elder  brother,  will  have  your  disorderly  people  taken  off  our  lands 
immediately,  as  their  being  on  our  grounds  causes  great  uneasiness. 
We  are  very  uneasy,  on  account  of  a report  that  is  among  the  white 
people  that  call  themselves  a new  people,  that  lives  on  French  Broad 
and  Nolechuckey ; they  say  they  have  treated  with  us  for  all  the  lands 
on  Little  River.  I now  send  this  to  let  my  elder  brother  know  how  it 
is.  Some  of  them  gathered  on  French  Broad,  and  sent  for  us  to  come 
and  treat  with  them : but  as  I was  told  there  was  a treaty  to  be  held 
with  us,  by  orders  of  the  great  men  of  the  thirteen  states,  we  did  not 
go  to  meet  them,  but  some  of  our  young  men  wrent  to  see  what  they 
wanted.  They  first  wanted  the  land  on  Little  River.  Our  young  men 
told  them  that  all  their  head  men  were  at  home  ; that  they  had  no  au- 
thority to  treat  about  lands.  They  then  asked  them  liberty  for  those 
that  were  then  living  on  the  lands,  to  remain  there,  till  the  head  men  of 
their  nation  were  consulted  on  it,  which  our  young  men  agreed  to.  Since 
then,  we  are  told  that  they  claim  all  the  lands  on  the  waters  of  Little 
River,  and  have  appointed  men  among  themselves  to  settle  their  dis- 
putes on  our  lands,  and  call  it  their  ground.  But  we  hope  you,  our 
elder  brother,  will  not  agree  to  it,  but  will  have  them  moved  off.  I 
also  beg  that  you  will  send  letters  to  the  Great  Council  of  America,  and 
let  them  know  hdw  it  is  ; that  if  you  have  no  power  to  move  them  off, 
they  have,  and  I hope  they  will  do  it. 

I once  more  beg  that  our  elder  brother  will  take  pity  on  us,  and  not 
take  our  ground  from  us,  because  he  is  stronger  than  we.  The  Great 
Being  above,  that  made  us  all,  placed  us  on  this  land,  and  gave  it  to  us, 
and  it  is  ours.  Our  elder  brother,  in  all  the  treaties  we  ever  had,  gave 
it  to  us  also,  and  we  hope  he  will  not  think  of  taking  it  from  us  now. 

I have  sent  with  this  Talk  a string  of  white  beads,  which  I hope  my 
elder  brother  will  take  hold  of,  and  think  of  his  younger  brother,  who 
is  now  iu  trouble,  and  looking  to  him  for  justice. 

Given  out  by  the  Old  Tassel,  for  himself  and  whole  nation,  in  presence 
of  the  head  men  of  the  Upper  and  Lower  Cherokees,  and  inter- 
preted by  me. 

JAMES  McCORMACK. 

For  the  Governor  of  Korth-Carolina  and  Virginia. 


320 


DISAFFECTION  IN  VIRGINIA. 


The  intelligence  communicated  thus  by  Martin  to  Gov. 
Caswell,  of  the  hostile  intentions  of  the  Indians,  and  espe- 
cially of  the  policy  of  the  Spaniards  relative  to  their  claims 
upon  the  Mississippi,  had  also  reached  the  people  of  Frank- 
lin, and  furnished  additional  arguments  for  a continued  sepa- 
ration from  the  parent  state.  As  the  interests  and  dangers 
of  the  western  people  were  peculiar,  they  chose  to  exercise 
the  control  of  their  own  policy  and  means  of  defence,  and 
to  adapt  these  to  the  exigencies  of  their  condition.  Mutual 
exposure  and  common  wants  had  generated  a close  alliance 
between  themselves  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  coterminous 
section  of  Virginia ; and  the  contagion  of  independence  and 
separation  extended  to  Washington  county  of  that  state,  and 
threatened  the  dismemberment  of  the  Old  Dominion.  Patrick 
Henry  was  at  that  time  in  the  executive  chair,  and  at  once 
communicated  to  the  Legislature  of  Virginia  the  intelligence 
of  the  disaffection  in  Washington  county,  in  the  following 
message  : 

I transmit  herewith,  a letter  from  the  honourable  Mr.  Hardy,  cover- 
ing a memorial  to  Congress  from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Washington 
county,  praying  the  establishment  of  an  independent  state,  to  be 
bounded  as  is  therein  expressed.  The  proposed  limits  include  a vast  ex- 
tent of  country,  in  which  we  have  numerous  and  very  respectable  settle- 
ments, which,  in  their  growth,  will  form  an  invaluable  barrier  between 
this  country  and  those,  who,  in  the  course  of  events,  may  occupy  the 
vast  places  westward  of  the  mountains,  some  of  whom  have  views  in- 
compatible with  our  safety.  Already,  the  militia  of  that  part  of  the 
state  is  the  most  respectable  we  have,  and  by  their  means  it  is  that  the 
neighbouring  Indians  are  awed  into  professions  of  friendship.  But  a 
circumstance  has  lately  happened,  which  renders  the  possession  of  the 
territory  at  the  present  time  indispensable  to  the  peace  and  safety  of 
Virginia ; I mean  the  assumption  of  sovereign  power  by  the  western  in- 
habitants of  North-Carolina.  If  the  people  who,  without  consulting 
their  own  safety,  or  any  other  authority  known  in  the  American  consti- 
tution, have  assumed  government,  and  while  unallied  to  us,  and  under 
no  engagements  to  pursue  the  objects  of  the  federal  government,  shall 
be  strengthened  by  the  accession  of  so  great  a part  of  our  country,  con- 
sequences fatal  to  our  repose  will  probably  follow.  It  is  to  be  observed, 
that  the  settlements  of  this  new  society  stretch  into  a great  extent  in 
contact  with  ours  in  Washington  county,  and  thereby  expose  our  citi- 
zens to  the  contagion  of  the  example  which  bids  fair  to  destroy  the 
peace  of  North-Carolina.  In  this  state  of  things  it  is,  that  variety  of 
information  has  come  to  me,  stating,  that  several  persons,  but  especially 
Col.  Arthur  Campbell,  have  useu  their  utmost  endeavours,  and  with 

• 


GOVERNOR  HENRY’S  MESSAGE  TO  VIRGINIA  LEGISLATURE.  321 


some  success,  to  persuade  tlie  citizens  in  that  quarter  to  break  off  from 
this  commonwealth,  and  attach  themselves  to  the  newly  assumed  govern- 
ment, or  to  erect  one  distinct  from  it.  And  to  effect  this  purpose,  the 
equality  and  authority  of  the  laws  have  been  arraigned,  the  collection 
of  the  taxes  impeded,  and  our  national  character  impeached.  If  this 
most  important  part  of  our  territory  be  lopped  off,  we  lose  that  barrier 
for  which  our  people  have  long  and  often  fought ; that  nursery  of 
soldiers,  from  which  future  armies  may  be  levied,  and  through  which  it 
will  be  almost  impossible  for  our  enemies  to  penetrate.  We  shall  ag- 
grandize the  new  state,  whose  connexions,  views  and  designs,  we  know 
not ; shall  cease  to  be  formidable  to  our  savage  neighbours,  or  respecta- 
ble to  our  western  settlements,  at  present  or  in  future. 

“ Whilst  these  and  many  other  matters  were  contemplated  by  the 
Executive,  it  is  natural  to  suppose,  the  attempt  at  separation  was  dis- 
couraged by  every  lawful  means,  the  chief  of  which  was  displacing  such 
of  the  field  officers  of  the  militia  in  Washington  county  as  were  active 
partizans  for  separation,  in  order  to  prevent  the  weight  of  office  being- 
put  in  the  scale  against  Virginia.  To  this  end,  a proclamation  was 
issued,  declaring  the  militia  laws  of  the  last  session  in  force  in  that  coun- 
ty, and  appointments  were  made  agreeable  to  it.  I hope  to  be  excused 
for  expressing  a wish,  that  the  Assembly,  in  deliberating  on  this  affair, 
will  prefer  lenient  measures,  in  order  to  reclaim  our  erring  citizens. 
Their  taxes  have  run  into  three  years,  and  thereby  grown  to  an  amount 
beyond  the  ability  of  many  to  discharge ; while  the  system  of  our  trade 
has  been  such,  as  to  render  their  agriculture  unproductive  of  money. 
And  I cannot  but  suppose,  that  if  even  the  warmest  supporters  of  sepa- 
ration had  seen  the  mischievous  consequences,  they  would  have  retraced 
and  considered  that  intemperance  in  their  own  proceedings,  which  oppo- 
sition in  sentiment  is  too  apt  to  produce.” 

The  limits  proposed  for  the  new  government  of  Frankland,  by  Col. 
Arthur  Campbell,  and  the  people  of  Virginia,  who  aimed  at  a separa- 
tion from  that  state,  were  expressed  in  the  form  of  a constitution  which 
Col.  Campbell  drew  up  for  public  examination,  and  were  these : Beo-in- 
ning  at  a point  on  the  top  of  the  Alleghany  or  Apalachian  Mountains 
so  as  a line  drawn  due  north  from  thence  will  touch  the  bank  of  New 
River,  otherwise  called  Kenhawa,  at  the  confluence  of  Little  River,  which 
is  about  one  mile  above  Ingle’s  Ferry;  down  the  said  river  Kenhawa  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Rencovert,  or  Green  Briar  River  ; a direct  line  from 
thence,  to  the  nearest  summit  of  the  Laurel  Mountain,  and  along  the 
highest  part  of  the  same,  to  the  point  where  it  is  intersected  by  the 
parallel  of  thirty-seven  deg.  north  latitude ; west  along  that  latitude  to 
a point  where  it  is  met  by  a meridian  line  that  passes  through  the  lower 
part  of  the  rapid  of  Ohio ; south  along  the  meridian  to  Elk  River  a 
branch  of  the  Tennessee ; down  said  river  to  its  mouth,  and  down  the 
Tennessee  to  the  most  southwardly  part  or  bend  in  said  river  • a direct 
line  from  thence  to  that  branch  of  the  Mobile,  called  Don  bio-bee  ■ down 
said  river  Donbigbee  to  its  junction  with  the  Coosawattee  River'  to  the 
mouth  of  that  branch  of  it  called  the  Hightower ; thence  south’  to  the 
top  of  the  Apalachian  Mountain,  or  the  highest  land  that  divides  the 
21 


322 


BOUNDARIES  OF  FRANKLAND. 


sources  of  the  eastern  from  the  western  waters ; northwardly,  along  the 
middle  of  said  heights,  and  the  top  of  the  Apalachian  Mountain,  to  the 
beginning.  It  was  stated  in  the  proposed  form,  that  the  inhabitants 
within  these  limits  agree  with  each  other  to  form  themselves  into  a free, 
sovereign  and  independent  body  politic  or  state,  by  the  name  of  the 
commonwealth  of  Frankland.  The  laws  of  the  Legislature  were  to  be 
enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  commonwealth  of  Frankland ; 
and  all  the  laws  and  ordinances  which  had  been  before  adopted,  used  and 
approved  in  the  different  parts  of  this  state,  whilst  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  Virginia  and  North-Carolina,  shall  still  remain  the  rule  of  deci- 
sion in  all  cases  for  the  respective  limits  for  which  they  were  formerly 
adopted,  and  shall  continue  in  full  force  until  altered  or  repealed  by  the 
Legislature  ; such  parts  only  excepted,  as  are  repugnant  to  the  rights 
and  liberties  contained  in  this  constitution,  or  those  of  the  said 
respective  states.* 

The  malcontents  in  Virginia  had  thus  affixed  such  boun- 
daries to  their  proposed  commonwealth,  as  embraced  not 
only  the  people  and  State  of  Franklin,  but  much  of  the  terri- 
tory of  Virginia  and  the  present  Kentucky  on  the  north,  and 
of  Georgia,  and  what  is  now  Alabama,  on  the  south.  The 
western  soldiery  had  carried  their  conquests  nearly  to  these 
limits,  and  it  was  probably  the  right  of  conquest  alone,  which 
suggested  the  extent  of  the  new  state.  The  magnificent 
project  of  the  Virginia  Franks  received  the  support  of  few 
men  anywhere,  and  was  abandoned  soon  after  by  its  friends. 

It  was  not  so  with  the  revolted  people  of  North-Carolina. 
They  continued  to  exercise  all  the  functions  of  an  indepen- 
dent government,  and  under  forms  anomalous  and  perplexing 
beyond  example,  were  adopting  measures  to  improve  and 
perfect  their  system,  and  maintain  their  integrity  and  separa- 
tion. Thus  far  they  had  legislated  and  administered  law, 
had  held  treaties  and  acquired  territory,  under  the  expedient 
of  a temporary  adoption  of  the  constitution  of  the  parent 
state.  It  remained  yet  for  the  people  to  adopt  or  reject  the 
form  of  government  that  had  been  prepared  by  the  conven- 
tion to  whom  that  duty  belonged.  That  body,  and  also  the 
Franklin  Assembly,  at  its  August  session,  had  recommended 
to  the  people  to  choose  a convention  for  the  purpose  of  rati- 
fying the  proposed  constitution,  or  of  altering  it  as  they 
should  instruct.  The  election  was  held  accordingly.  It  is 

* Haywood. 


mr.  Houston’s  form  of  a constitution. 


323 


not  known  who  were  the  deputies  chosen.  The  names  of 
nineteen  only  of  them  have  been  preserved.  They  are  Da- 
vid Campbell,  Samuel  Houston,  John  Tipton,  John  Ward, 
Robert  Love,  William  Cox,  David  Craig,  James  Montgomery, 
John  Strain,  Robert  Allison,  David  Looney,  John  Blair,  James 
White,  Samuel  Newell,  John  Gilliland,  James  Stuart,  George 
Maxwell,  Joseph  Tipton  and  Peter  Parkison.  These  are  found 
signed  to  a protest  against  part  of  the  proceedings.  The 
convention  was  probably  larger  than  either  of  those  previ- 
ously held.  The  form  of  government  that  had  been  prepared 
for  the  consideration  of  the  people,  had  excited  acrimonious 
debates  and  great  contrariety  of  opinion.  Some  of  its  pro- 
visions being  novel,  were  viewed  as  innovations  upon  the 
law  and  usages  to  which  the  voters  were  accustomed.  In- 
structions were  poured  in  upon  the  convention  from  all  parts 
of  the  country  in  opposition  to  the  exceptionable  clauses. 
Such  diversity  of  opinion  existed  as  to  cause  its  immediate 
rejection. 

In  their  deliberations  on  a subject  so  new  to  most  of  the 
members,  and  in  the  details  of  which  few  in  the  country  had 
either  knowledge  or  experience  to  direct  them,  many  propo- 
sitions were  made  and  suggested  for  examination  merely, 
which  were  afterwards  withdrawn  by  the  movers  themselves. 

In  anticipation  of  the  meeting  of  this  convention,  Mr. 
Houston  “had,  with  the  advice  and  assistance  of  some  judi- 
cious friends,  prepared  in  manuscript  A Declaration  of  Rights 
and  a Constitution,  made  by  the  representatives  of  the  free- 
men of  the  State  of  Frankland,  which  being  read  on  the  first 
day  of  the  meeting,  he  moved  that  it  be  made  the  platform 
of  the  new  constitution,  subject  to  such  alterations  and 
amendments  as  a majority  might  think  proper.  Another 
member  moved  that  the  Rev.  Hezekiah  Balch,  a spectator, 
but  not  a member,  should  have  leave  to  offer  some  remarks 
upon  the  subject ; which  being  granted,  Mr.  Balch  animad- 
verted severely  upon  the  manuscript  constitution,  as  prepared 
and  read  by  Mr.  Houston,  and  especially  upon  the  section  of 
it  respecting  an  Institution  of  learning.  As  already  men- 
tioned, the  Frankland  Constitution  was  rejected  by  a small 


324 


FRANKLAND  CONSTITUTION  REJECTED. 


majority.  The  president,  General  Sevier,  then  presented 
the  constitution  of  North-Carolina,  as  the  foundation  of  that 
of  the  new  state.  A majority  of  the  house  sustaining  this 
proposition,  they  proceeded  to  remodel  the  North-Carolina 
Constitution,  making  only  a few  necessary  alterations.  This 
was,  in  a short  time  after,  adopted  by  a small  majority.” 

“A  variety  of  names  was  proposed  for  the  new  common- 
wealth. Some  were  for  calling  it  Franklin,  in  honour  of 
Benjamin  Franklin,  of  Philadelphia  ; others  Frankland,  as 
the  land  of  freemen.  But  it  was  decided  by  a majority 
(small)  in  favour  of  calling  it  Franklin.”* 

The  rejection  of  the  Frankland  Constitution  induced  its 
friends  to  have  it  published  with  an  explanatory  Introduction, 
written  by  some  of  the  minority.  At  the  same  time  there 
was  published  a pamphlet,  on  the  “ Principles  of  Republican 
Government,  by  a Citizen  of  Frankland.”  These  publications 
were  made  at  the  instance  and  expense  of  the  Frankland 
Commonwealth  Society.  Francis  Bailey,  of  Philadelphia, 
was  the  printer.  Of  this  society,  Mr.  Houston  was  an  active 
member,  f 

Some  proceedings  of  this  convention  are  found  published 
as  a preface  to  the  Declaration  of  Rights  and  Constitution 
as  presented  to  the  convention,  and  afterwards  published  in 
pamphlet  form.  They  are  copied.  J 

* Letter  of  Rev.  Samuel  Houston,  of  Rockbridge,  Va.,  March  20,  1838,  to 
this  writer. 

t Several  years  since,  this  writer,  in  a communication  addressed  to  Hon.  Mitch- 
ell King,  of  Charleston,  S.  C.,  and  extensively  published  in  the  Courier  and  else- 
where, vindicated  at  some  length,  his  own  accuracy  in  calling  the  new  state 
Franklin,  and  not  Frankland,  as  adopted  by  several  writers  and  some  historians. 
It  is  deemed  unnecessary  to  extract,  here,  a line  from  that  communication  or  to  re- 
new the  argument,  as  almost  every  original  letter  and  official  paper  published  in 
these  sheets  fortify  and  authorize  his  position,  and  furnish  irrefragable  proof  of 
its  correctness.  The  question  is  no  longer  debatable. 

t This  pamphlet  is  out  of  print,  and  cannot  now  be  found.  For  the  copy  here 
republished,  and  believed  to  be  the  only  one  extant,  I am  indebted  to  the  late 
Col.  Geo.  T.  Gillespie.  It  was  found  amongst  the  papers  of  Ldndon  Carter,  ; 
deceased,  Secretary  of  State  under  the  Franklin  Government.  The  pamphlei  is, 
in  some  places,  so  worn  as  to  be  almost  illegible,  and  one  page,  at  leasi,  is 
wanting. 


DECLARATION  OP  RIGHTS* 


325 


A DECLARATION  OF  RIGHTS, 

MADE  BT  THE  REPRESENTATIVES  OE  THE  FREEMEN  OE-  THE  STATE  OF 

FRANKLAND. 

1.  That  all  political  power  is  vested  in  and  derived  from  the  people 
only. 

2.  That  the  people  of  this  State  ought  to  have  the  sole  and  exclusive 
right  of  regulating  the  internal  government  and  police  thereof. 

3.  That  no  man,  or  set  of  men,  are  entitled  to  exclusive  or  separate 
emoluments  or  privileges  from  the  community,  but  in  consideration  of 
public  services. 

4.  That  the  Legislative,  Executive  and  Supreme  Judicial  powers  of 
government  ought  to  be  forever  separate  and  distinct  from  each  other. 

5.  That  all  powers  of  suspending  laws,  or  the  execution  of  laws,  by 
any  authority,  without  the  consent  of  the  representatives  of  the  people, 
is  injurious  to  their  rights,  and  ought  not  to  be  exercised. 

6.  That  elections  of  members  to  serve  as  representatives,  in  General 
Assembly,  ought  to  be  free. 

7.  That,  in  all  criminal  prosecutions,  every  man  has  a right  to  be 
informed  of  the  accusation  against  him,  and  to  confront  the  accusers  and 
witnesses  with  other  testimony,  and  shall  not  be  compelled  to  give  evi- 
dence against  himself. 

8.  That  no  freeman  shall  be  put  to  answer  any  criminal  charge  but 
by  indictment,  presentment,  or  impeachment. 

9.  That  no  freeman  shall  be  convicted  of  any  crime  but  by  the  unan- 
imous verdict  of  a jury  of  good  and  lawful  men,  in  open  court,  as  here- 
tofore used. 

10.  That  excessive  bail  should  not  be  required,  nor  excessive  fines 
imposed,  nor  cruel  nor  unusual  punishments  inflicted. 

11.  That  general  warrants,  whereby  an  officer  or  messenger  may  be 
commiinded  to  search  suspected  places,  without  evidence  of  the  fact 
committed,  or  to  seize  any  person  or  persons  not  named,  whose  offences 
are  not  particularly  described  and  supported  by  evidence,  are  dangerous 
to  liberty,  and  ought  not  to  be  granted. 

12.  That  no  freeman  ought  to  be  taken,  imprisoned,  or  disseized  of 
bis  freehold,  liberties,  or  privileges,  or  outlawed,  or  exiled,  or  in  any 
manner  destroyed  or  deprived  of  his  life,  liberty,  or  property,  but  by 
the  law  of  the  land. 

13.  That  every  freeman,  restrained  of  his  liberty,  is  entitled  to  a 
remedy,  to  enquire  into  the  lawfulness  thereof,  and  to  remove  the  same, 
if  unlawful;  and  that  such  remedy  ought  not  to  be  denied  or  delayed. 

14.  That  in  all  controversies  at  law,  respecting  property,  the  ancient 
mode  of  trial  by  jury  is  one  of  the  best  securities  of  the  rights  of  the 
people,  and  ought  to  remain  sacred  and  inviolable. 

15.  That  the  freedom  of  the  press  is  one  of  the  great  bulwarks  of 
liberty,  and  therefore  ought  never  to  be  restrained. 

16.  That  the  people  of  this  State  ought  not  to  be  taxed,  or  made 
subject  to  payment  of  any  impost  or  duty,  without  the  consent  of  them- 
selves, or  their  representatives,  in  General  Assembly,  freely  given. 


320 


FRANKLAND  CONSTITUTION. 


1 Y.  That  the  people  have  a right  to  hear  arms  for  the  defence  of  the 
State ; and  as  standing  armies,  in  time  of  peace,  ai-e  dangerous  to 
liberty,  they  ought  not  to  be  kept  up ; and  that  the  military  should  be 
kept  under  strict  subordination  to,  and  governed  by,  the  civil  power. 

18.  That  the  people  have  a right  to  assemble  together,  to  consult  for 
their  common  good,  to  instruct  their  representatives,  and  to  apply  to  the 
Legislature  for  redress  of  grievances. 

19.  That  all  men  have  a natural  and  unalienable  right  to  worship 
Almighty  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences. 

20.  That,  for  redress  of  grievances,  and  for  amending  and  strength- 
ening the  laws,  elections  ought  to  be  often  held. 

21.  That  a frequent  recurrence  to  fundamental  principles  is  absolutely 
necessary  to  preserve  the  blessings  of  liberty. 

22.  That  no  hereditary  emoluments,  privileges,  or  honours,  ought  to 
be  granted  or  conferred  in  this  State. 

23.  That  perpetuities  and  monopolies  are  contrary  to  the  genius  of  a 
free  State,  and  ought  not  to  be  allowed. 

24.  That  retrospective  laws,  punishing  acts  committed  before  the 
existence  of  such  laws,  and  by  them  only  declared  criminal,  are  oppres- 
sive, unjust,  and  incompatible  with  liberty;  therefore  no  ex  post  facto 
law  ought  to  be  made. 


THE  CONSTITUTION  OR  FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT 

Agreed  to  and  resolved  upon  by  the  Representatives  of  the 

Freemen  of  the  State  of  Frankland,  elected  and  chosen  for 

THAT  PARTICULAR  PURPOSE,  IN  CONVENTION  ASSEMBLED,  AT  GrEENE- 

VILLE,  THE  14TH  NOVEMBER,  1Y85. 

This  State  shall  be  called  the  Commonwealth  of  Frankland , and 
shall  be  governed  by  a General  Assembly  of  the  representatives  of  the 
freemen  of  the  same,  a Governor  and  Council,  and  proper  courts  of  jus- 
tice, in  the  manner  following,  viz : 

Section  1.  The  supreme  legislative  power  shall  be  vested  in  a single 
House  of  Representatives  of  the  freemen  of  the  commonwealth  of  Frank- 
land. 

Sec.  2.  The  House  of  Representatives  of  the  freemen  of  this  State 
shall  consist  of  persons  most  noted  for  wisdom  and  virtue,  to  be  chosen 
equally  and  adequately  according  to  the  number  of  freemen  in  the  com- 
monwealth ; provided  when  the  number  amounts  to  one  hundred  it 
shall  never  exceed  it,  nor  be  ever  afterwards  reduced  lower  than  eighty, 
and  every  county  shall  annually  send  the  number  apportioned  to  it  by 
the  General  Assembly. 

Sec.  3.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to,  or  hold  a seat  in,  the  House  of 
Representatives  of  the  freemen  of  this  commonwealth,  unless  he  actually 
resides  in,  and  owns  land  in  the  county  to  the  quantity  of  one  hundred 
acres,  or  to  the  value  of  fifty  pounds,  and  is  of  the  full  age  of  twenty-one 
years.  And  no  person  shall  b.e  eligible  or  capable  to  serve  in  this  or 


QUALIFICATIONS  FOR  MEMBERSHIP. 


327 


any  other  office  in  the  civil  department  of  this  State,  who  is  of  an  im- 
moraFcharacter,  or  guilty  of  such  flagrant  enormities  as  drunkenness, 
gaming,  profane  swearing,  lewdness,  sabbath  breaking,  and  such  like  ; 
or  who  will,  either  in  word  or  writing,  deny  any  of  the  following  proposi- 
tions, viz  : 

1st.  That  there  is  one  living  and  true  God,  the  Creator  and  Governor 
of  the  universe. 

2d.  That  there  is  a future  state  of  rewards  and  punishments. 

3d.  That  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  are  given  by 
divine  inspiration. 

4th.  That  there  are  three  divine  persons  in  the  Godhead,  co-equal 
and  co-essential. 

And  no  person  shall  be  a member  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
who  holds  a lucrative  office  either  under  this  or  other  States  ; that  is,  has  a 
fixed  salary  or  fees  from  the  State,  or  is  in  actual  military  service  and 
claiming  daily  pay,  or  minister  of  the  gospel,  or  attorney  at  law,  or  doc- 
tor of  physic. 

Sec.  4.  Every  free  male  inhabitant  of  this  State,  of  the  age  of  twenty  - 
one  years,  who  shall  have  resided  in  this  State  six  months  immediately 
preceding  the  day  of  election,  shall  have  a vote  in  electing  all  officers 
chosen  by  the  people,  in  the  county  where  he  resides. 

Sec.  5.  The  House  of  Representatives  of  this  commonwealth  shall  be 
styled  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Freemen  of 
Frankland  ; and  shall  have  power  to  choose  their  own  Speaker,  and 
all  other  officers,  Treasurer,  Secretary  of  State,  Superior  Judges,  Auditors, 
members  to  Congress.  They  shall  have  power  to  sit  on  their  own  ad- 
journments ; to  prepare  bills,  and  to  enact  them  into  laws  ; to  judge  of 
the  elections  of,  and  qualifications  of,  their  own  members.  They  may 
expel  a member,  but  not  a second  time  for  the  same  cause  ; they  may 
administer  oaths  on  the  examination  of  witnesses,  redress  grievances, 
impeach  State  criminals,  grant  charters  of  incorporation,  constitute 
towns,  cities,  boroughs,  and'counties,  and  shall  have  all  other  powers  neces- 
sary for  the  Legislature  of  a free  State  or  commonwealth.  But  they 
shall  have  no  power  to  add,  alter,  abolish,  or  infringe  any  part  of  the 
Constitution. 

Two-thirds  of  the  whole  members  elected  shall  constitute  a House, 
(and  the  expense  from  the  appointed  time  ’till  they  make  a House, 
shall  be  laid  on  absentees,  without  a reasonable  excuse,)  and  having 
met  and  chosen  their  Speaker,  shall,  each  of  them,  before  they  proceed 
to  business,  take  and  subscribe,  as  well  the  oath  of  fidelity  and  allegiance 
hereafter  directed,  as  the  following  oath — 

“ I,  A.»B.,  do  swear,  That,  a&  a member  of  this  Assembly,  I will  not 
propose  or  assent  to  any  bill  or  resolution,  which  shall  appear  to  me  in- 
jurious to  the  people,  nor  do,  nor  consent  to  any  act  or  thing  whatever, 
that  shall  have  a tendency  to  lessen  or  abridge  the  rights  and  privileges 
as  declared  in  the  Constitution  of  this  State ; but  will  in  all  things  con- 
duct myself  as  a faithful  honest  representative  and  guardian  of  the  peo- 
ple, according  to  the  best  of  my  judgment  and  abilities.  So  help  me 
God." 

The  doors  of  the  house  in  which  the  representatives  of  the  freemen  of 


328 


ELECTION  OF  OFFICERS  GIVEN  TO  THE  PEOPLE. 


this  State  shall  sit  in  General  Assembly,  shall  be  and  remain  open,  for 
the  admission  of  all  persons  who  shall  behave  decently ; except  when 
the  good  of  the  commonwealth  requires  them  to  be  shut. 

Sec.  0.  The  votes  and  proceedings  of  the  General  Assembly  shall  be 
printed  weekly,  during  their  sitting,  with  the  Yeas  and  Nays  on  any 
question,  vote,  or  resolution,  (except  when  the  vote  is  taken  by  ballot,) 
when  any  two  members  require  it;  and  every  member  shall  have  a 
right  to  insert  the  reasons  of  his  vote  upon  the  Journals,  if  he  desires  it. 

Sec.  1.  That  the  laws,  before  they  are  enacted,  may  be  more  maturely 
considered,  and  the  danger  of  hasty  and  injudicious  determinations  as 
much  as  possible  prevented,  all  Bills  of  a public  and  general  nature 
shall  be  printed  for  the  consideration  of  the  people,  before  they  are  read  in 
the  General  Assembly  the  last  time,  for  debate  and  amendment ; and, 
except  on  occasions  of  sudden  necessity,  shall  not  be  passed  into  laws 
before  the  next  session  of  the  Assembly : And,  for  the  more  perfect 
satisfaction  of  the  public,  the  reasons  and  motives  for  making  such  laws 
shall  be  fully  and  clearly  expressed  in  the  preambles. 

See.  8.  The  style  of  the  laws  of  this  commonwealth  shall  be,  Be  it  en- 
acted., and  it  is  hereby  enacted, , by  the  Representatives  of  the  Freemen 
of  the  Commonwealth  of  Frank! and,  in  General  Assembly , and  by  the 
authority  of  the  Same.  And  the  General  Assembly  shall  affix  their 
Seal  to  every  Bill  as  soon  as  it  is  enacted  into  a law  ; which  seal  shall 
be  kept  by  the  Assembly,  and  shall  be  called  the  Seal  of  the  Laws  of 
Frankland,  and  shall  not  be  used  for  any  other  purpose. 

Sec.  9.  As  in  every  free  government  the  people  have  a right  of  free 
suffrage  for  all  officers  of  government  that  can  be- chosen  by  the  people, 
the  freemen  of  this  State  shall  elect  Governor  and  Counsellors,  Justices 
of  the  Peace  for  each  county,  and  Coroner  or  Coroners,  Sheriffs,  and  all 
other  such  officers,  except  such  as  the  Assembly  are  empowered  to 
choose. 

Sec.  10.  All  the  able  bodied  men  in  this  State  shall  be  trained  for 
its  defence,  under  such  regulations,  restrictions  and  exceptions  as  the 
General  Assembly  shall  direct  by  law,  preserving  always  to  the  people, 
from  the  age  of  sixteen,  the  right  of  choosing  their  colonels,  and  all 
other  officers  under  that  rank,  in  such  manner  and  as  often  as  shall  be 
by  the  same  laws  directed. 

Sec.  11.  The  Governor  of  the  State  shall  be  annually  chosen  by  the  free 
suffrages  of  the  people  on  the  day  of  general  election  for  Representatives 
for  the  General  Assembly,  and  the  returning  officers  for  each  county  shall 
make  a fair  return  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  of  the  persons  voted 
for,  and  the  number  of  votes  to  each,  which  the  Assembly  shall  exam- 
ine, and  the  highest  in  votes  shall  be  declared  constitutionally  elected  ; 
but  no  person  shall  be  eligible  more  than  three  years  out  of  seven,  nor 
hold  any  other  office  at  the  same  time. 

Sec.  12.  This  State  shall  be  divided  into  six  grand  divisions,  each  of 
which,  as  in  the  above  mentioned  sections,  shall  choose  a Counsellor ; 
And  these  divisions  shall  be  thrown  into  three  classes,  numbered  1st,  2d 
and  3d,  which  shall  change  their  members  in  Council  by  rotation,  be- 
ginning with  the  first  class  the  first  year  after  they  have  served  one,  and 
the  second  the  second  year,  and  so  on  forever  ; by  which  means  some 


DUTIES  OF  GOVERNOR  AND  COUNCIL. 


329 


acquainted  with  business  will  be  always  in  Council.  And  no  person 
shall  be  eligible  more  than  three  years  in  seven,  nor  shall  hold  any 
other  office  in  the  State. 

Sec.  13.  The  Governor  and  Council  shall  meet  annually  at  the  same 
time  and  place  with  the  General  Assembly  : The  Governor,  or,  in  his 
absence,  the  Lieutenant  Governor,  who  shall  be  one  of  their  number, 
chosen  with  the  rest,  with  the  Council,  (two-thirds  of  whom  shall  make 
a board,)  shall  have  power  to  correspond  with  other  States  : to  transact 
business  with  the  officers  of  government,  civil  and  military  ; to  prepare 
such  business  as  may  appear  to  them  necessary  to  be  laid  before  the 
General  Assembly : They  shall  also  have  power  to  grant  pardons  and  re- 
mit lines,  in  all  cases  whatsoever,  except  in  case  of  murder,  impeachment, 
and  treason,  which  they  may  reprieve  ’till  the  end  of  the  next  session  of 
Assembly ; but  there  shall  be  no  mitigation  of  punishment  on  impeach- 
ment, unless  by  act  of  the  Legislature  ; They  are  to  take  care  that  the 
laws  be  faithfully  executed  ; to  expedite  the  execution  of  such  measures 
as  may  be  resolved  upon  by  the  General  Assembly  : They  may  draw 
upon  the  Treasury  for  such  sums  as  shall  be  appropriated  by  the  House 
of  Representatives — they  may  also  lay  embargoes,,  or  prohibit  the  expor- 
tation of  any  commodity  for  any  time  not  exceeding  thirty  days,  in  the 
recess  of  the  General  Assembly  only  : They  may  grant  licenses,  as  the 
laws  shall  direct,  and  shall  have  power  to  convene  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, when  necessary,  before  the  day  to  which  they  ‘were  ad- 
journed. The  Governor  shall  be  commander-in-chief  of  the  forces  of 
the  State ; but  shall  not  command  in  person,  except  advised  thereto  by 
the  Council,  and  then  only  for  so  long  as  they  shall  approve  of.  The 
Governor  and  Council  shall  have  a Secretary,  and  keep  fair  books  of  their 
proceedings,  wherein  any  Counsellor  may  enter  his  dissent,  with  his 
reasons  in  support  of  it. 

Sec.  14.  All  commissions  and  grants  shall  be  in  the  name  and  by  the 
authority  of  the  freemen  of  the  commonwealth  of  Frankland,  sealed 
with  the  State  seal,  signed  by  the  Governor,  or,  in  his  absence,  the 
Lieutenant  Governor,  and  attested  by  the  Secretary ; wdiick  seal  shall 
be  kept  by  the  Council. 

Sec.  15.  Ho  justice  of  the  peace  shall  receive  any  fee,  gratuity,  or 
reward  for  his  services  as  a justice  ; but  all  other  officers  of  this  State 
shall  be  allowed  as  moderate  fees  or  salaries  as  possible,  to  be  an  ade- 
quate compensation  for  their  services.  And  if  any.  officer  shall  take 
other  or  greater  fees  than  the  laws  allow,  it  shall  ever  afterwards  dis- 
qualify him  to  hold  any  office  in  this  State. 

Sec.  16.  Every  officer  of  government  shall  be  liable  to  be  impeached 
b}'  the  General  Assembly,  or  presented  by  the  grand  jury  of  any  of  the 
superior  courts,  either  in  office,  or  after  his  resignation  or  removal,  for 
mal-administration.  All  impeachments  shall  be  before  a temporary 
court,  composed  of  the  Governor  or  Lieutenant  Governor,  and  two 
members  ot  the  Council,  to  be  chosen  by  the  Council ; the  three  senior 
Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  three  members  of  the  General  As- 
sembly, to  be  chosen  by  the  Assembly,  who  shall,  or  any  five  of  them, 
hear  and  determine  the  same. 

Sec.  17.  The  Treasurer  of  State  shall  be  annually  appointed,  and  no 


330 


FREEMEN  TO  ELECT  REGISTERS. 


person  eligible  more  than  three  years  successively.  The  Secretary  of  State, 
Attorney-General,  Auditors,  and  such  like  officers,  shall  be  appointed  bi- 
ennially ; but  removable  for  misconduct.  And  any  officer,  representative 
in  General  Assembly,  or  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  who  is 
convicted  of  a second  violation  of  any  part  of  this  constitution,  shall  be 
forever  afterwards  disqualified  to  hold  any  place  or  office  in  this  State. 

Sec.  18.  That  in  every  case,  where  any  officer,  the  right  of  whose 
appointment  is,  by  this  constitution,  vested  in  the  General  Assembly, 
shall,  during  their  recess,  die,  or  his  office,  by  other  means,  become 
vacant,  the  Governor  shall  have  power,  with  the  advice  of  the  Council 
of  State,  to  fill  up  such  vacancy,  by  granting  a temporary  commission, 
which  shall  expire  at  the  end  of  the  next  session  of  the  Assembly. 

Sec.  19.  That  no  Treasurer,  until  he  shall  have  finally  settled  his 
accounts  with  the  public,  and  paid  the  money  remaining  in  his  hand  to 
the  succeeding  Treasurer,  nor  any  person  who  heretofore  has  been,  or 
hereafter  may  be,  a Receiver  of  public  monies,  under  this  or  any  other 
State,  until  he  has  fully  accounted  for  and  paid  into  the  treasury  all 
monies  for  which  he  may  be  accountable  and  liable,  shall  have  -a  seat  in 
the  General  Assembly,  or  be  eligible  to  any  civil  office  in  this  State. 

Sec.  20.  The  freemen  of  each  county  shall,  for  the  purpose  of  ease, 
justice  and  conveniency  in  holding  elections,  and  other  public  affairs,  be 
divided  into  districts,  as  near  one  hundred  in  each  as  local  circum- 
stances will  admit. 

Sec.  21.  The  freemen  of  each  district  shall  meet  upon  the  second 
Tuesday  of  February  forever,  and,  at  their  first  meeting,  elect  three  of 
their  own  members,  who  shall  be  called  Registers,  and  who  shall  keep 
a fair  alphabetical  roll  of  the  freemen  of  their  district.  Any  two  of 
them  agreeing,  or  upon  advice  of  any  five  freemen,  shall  have  power  to 
assemble  the  freemen  of  their  district  to  consult  for  the  common  good, 
give  instructions  to  their  Representatives,  or  to  apply  to  the  Legislature 
for  redress  of  grievances  by  address,  petition,  or  remonstrance.  They 
shall  preside  in  all  civil  district  elections,  shall  meet  twice,  or  oftener,  in 
the  year,  to  deliberate  upon  and  prepare  to  lay  before  the  people  such 
matters  as  may  be  necessary  for  them  to  consider.  And,  to  keep  up  a 
rotation  of  the  members,  the  person  who  shall  have  fewest  votes  at  the 
first  election,  shall  continue  in  office  one  year,  the  second  two,  and  the 
highest  three.  And  no  Register  shall  be  eligible  for  two  years  after  he 
has  served  his  term. 

Sec.  22.  That  elections  may  be  free,  and  corruption  prevented  as 
much  as  possible,  the  Registers  of  each  district  shall  summon  the  free- 
men of  their  district  to  meet  at  some  convenient  place,  upon  the  first 
Tuesday  of  March  forever,  where  they  shall  elect,  by  ballot,  all  the  offi- 
cers for  their  district,  which  shall  be  hereafter  directed,  and  the  number 
of  persons,  indiscriminately,  out  of  the  county,  appointed  to  represent  it 
in  the  General  Assembly,  in  the  following  manner : The  senior  Register 
shall  call  each  freeman  by  name,  in  the  order  of  the  roll,  who  shall 
give  his  ticket  or  tickets  to  the  second  Register,  and  the  highest  in 
votes  for  district  officers  shall  then  be  declared  constitutionally 
elected  ; but  the  names  of  the  persons  to  represent  the  county  in  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  and  their  respective  numbers  of  votes,  shall,  by  one  of 


MAGISTRATES  TO  BE  ELECTED  BY  THE  PEOPLE. 


331 


the  Registers,  be  laid  before  a meeting  of  one  from  each  district,  within 
ten  days  after  the  election  ; and  when  all  are  examined,  the  highest  in 
votes  shall  be  declared  constitutionally  elected,  and  certified  by  the  same 
Register.  No  freeman  shall  have,  in  this  commonwealth,  more  than  one 
annual  vote  for  any  officer  of  government,  and  the  Legislature  hereafter 
to  be  appointed,  shall,  from  time  to  time,  enact  and  keep  in  force  such 
laws  as  may  appear  necessary  to  prevent  and  remedy  every  species  of 
corruption,  and  to  oblige  freemen  to  attend  upon  elections. 

Sec.  23.  Justices  of  the  peace  shall  be  elected  for  each  county,  ten  or 
more,  by  the  freemen,  as  shall,  by  the  General  Assembly,  be  thought 
necessary  for  each,  of  those  residing  within  the  same,  aud  qualified  as 
mentioned  in  Section  3,  who  shall  be  commissioned  during  good  beha- 
viour, by  the  Governor  or  Lieutenant  Governor  in  Council ; and  no  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  or  any  other  commissioned  officer,  shall  hold  his  com- 
mission who  misbehaves,  or  is  found  guilty  of  such  things  as  dis- 
qualify ; nor  shall  any  one  be  chosen  who  is  not  a scholar  to  do  the 
business,  nor,  unless  acquainted  with  the  laws  of  the  country  in  some 
measure,  but  particularly  with  every  article  of  the  Constitution. 

Sec.  24.  To  prevent  the  civil  power  usurping  spiritual  supremacy,  the 
establishing  of  professions,  denominations,  or  sects  of  religion,  or  patron- 
izing ecclesiastical  hierarchies  and  dignitaries,  also  to  secure  religious 
liberty  and  the  rights  of  conscience  for  ever  inviolate,  every  citizen  of 
this  commonwealth  shall  forever  have  full  and  free  liberty  to  join  him- 
self to  any  society  of  Christians  he  may  judge  most  for  his  edification, 
and  shall  experience  no  civil  or  legal  disadvantages  for  his  so  doing : 
And  every  society  or  congregation  shall  bave  full  liberty,  without . any 
restraint  from  law,  to  choose  any  minister  they  think  best  suited  for 
their  Christian  instruction,  and  to  support  him  as  they  think  best;  And 
every  such  society  or  congregation  shall  have  full  right  to  hold  all  lands 
given  to,  or  purchased  by  them,  for  the  use  of  their  society,  or  any  other 
property  they  may  possess  for  religious  purposes  : and  the  society,  or  any 
description  of  men  chosen  by  them,  with  power  to  act  in  their  name, 
shall  have  power  to  receive,  or  to  make  and  execute  deeds,  and  entea 
into  such  other  specialties  as  the  society  may  direct  them  to  make ; and 
shall  have  full  power,  by  their  agent,  treasurer,  or  collector,  to  receive, 
recover  and  retain  all  property  and  money  justly  due  to  them,  in  as  full 
a manner  as  any  other  collector  or  agent  in  this  commonwealth.  And 
the  future  Legislature  of  this  State  shall  have  no  power  to  make  any 
law,  act,  or  resolve  whatsoever  respecting  religion,  or  the  spiritual  ser- 
vice we  owe  to  God ; but  shall  confine  themselves  wholly  to  matters 
purely  civil. 

Sec.  25.  Laws  for  the  encouraging  of  virtue,  and  preventing  and  sup- 
pressing of  vice  and  immorality,  shall  be  made  and  constantly  kept  in 
force,  and  provision  shall  be  made  for  then1  due  execution. 

Sec.  26.  That  no  person  in  the  State  shall  hold  more  than  one  lucra- 
tive office  at  any  one  time,  provided  that  no  appointment  in  the  militia, 
or  the  office  of  a justice  of  the  peace,  shall  be  considered  as  a lucrative 
office. 

Sec.  27.  All  writs  shall  run  in  the  name  of  the  State  of  Frankland, 


332 


PROVISION  MADE  FOR  LEARNING. 


and  bear  test,  and  be  signed  by  the  clerks  of  the  respective  courts.  In- 
dictments shall  conclude,  against  the  peace  and  dignity  of  the  State. 

Sec.  28.  That  the  delegates  of  this  State  to  the  Continental  Congress, 
while  necessary,  shall  be  chosen  annually  by  the  General  Assembly,  by 
ballot,  but  may  be  superseded,  in  the  meantime,  in  the  same  manner; 
and  no  person  shall  be  elected  to  serve  in  that  capacity  for  more  than 
three  years  successively. 

Sec.  29.  A Sheriff  and  Coroner  shall  be  annually  elected,  on  the  day, 
and  in  the  manner,  for  electing  Representatives  in  General  Assembly, 
who  shall  be  commissioned  as  before  mentioned  ; and  no  person  shall 
be  eligible  more  than  two  years  out  of  five.  Also  Commissioners,  As- 
sessors, Overseers  of  the  Poor,  Surveyors  of  Roads,  and  all  such  officers 
as  each  district  may  require,  at  the  same  time  and  in  such  number  as  in 
future  may  appear  necessary  to  the  Legislature. 

Sec.  30.  That  the  person  of  a debtor,  where  there  is  not  a strong 
presumption  of  fraud,  shall  not  be  continued  in  prison,  after  delivering 
up,  bona  fide , all  his  estate,  real  and  personal,  for  the  use  of  his  credi- 
tors, in  such  manner  as  shall  be  hereafter  regulated  by  law. ' All  prison- 
ers shall  be  bailable  by  sufficient  sureties,  unless  for  capital  offences, 
where  the  proof  is  evident  or  the  presumption  great. 

Sec.  31.  That  every  foreigner,  who  comes  to  settle  in  this  State,  hav- 
ing first  taken  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  same,  may  purchase,  of,  by 
other  iust  means,  acquire,  hold,  and  transfer  land  or  other  real  estate, 
and,  after  one  year’s  residence,  shall  be  deemed  a free  citizen. 

Sec.  32.  All  kinds  of  useful  learning  shall  be  encouraged  by  this 
common  weal  tb,  that  is  to  say,  the  future  Legislature  shall  erect,  before 
the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-seven,  one  University,  which 
shall  be  near  the  centre  of  this  State,  and  not  in  a city  or  town : And, 
for  endowing  the  same,  there  shall  be  appropriated  such  lands  as  may  be 
judged  necessary,  one-fourth  of  all  the  monies  arising  from  the  surveys  of 
land  hereafter  to  be  made,  one  halfpenny  upon  every  pound  of  inspected 
indigo,  that  shall  be  carried  out  of  the  State,  by  land  or  water  ; three- 
pence upon  every  barrel  of  flour,  and  one  shilling  on  every  hogshead  of 
tobacco,  forever.*  And,  if  the  fund  thence  arising  shall  be  found  insuffi- 
cient, the  Legislature  shall  provide  for  such  additions  as  may  be  neces- 
sary. And  if  experience  shall  make  it  appear  to  be  useful  to  the  in- 
terest of  learning  in  this  State,  a Grammar  School  shall  be  erected  in 
each  county,  and  such  sums  paid  by  the  public  as  shall  enable  the  trus- 
tees to  employ  a master  or  masters  of  approved  morals  and  abilities. 

Sec.  33.  That  no  purchase  of  lands  shall  be  made  of  the  Indian  na- 
tives, but  on  behalf  of  the  public,  by  authority  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Sec.  34.  That  the  future  Legislature  of  this  State  shall  regulate  en- 
tails in  such  a manner  as  to  prevent  perpetuities. 

Sec.  35.  That  the  Declaration  of  Rights  is  hereby  declared  to  be  a 
part  of  the  Constitution  of  this  State,  and  ought  never  to  be  violated, 
on  any  pretence  whatsoever. 

Sec.  36.  No  tax,  custom  or  contribution  shall  be  imposed  upon,  or 


* Dissented  to,  as  is  mentioned  in  the  Preface. 


DISPUTES  TO  BE  SETTLED  BY  ARBITRATION. 


333 


paid  by,  the  people  of  this  State,  nor  any  appropriation  of  public  mo- 
nies made  by  the  Legislature,  except  by  a law  for  that  purpose , and 
the  purposes  for  which  the  money  is  raised,  and  to  which  it  is  appro- 
priated, shall  be  clearly  expressed  in  the  preamble.  And,  annually,  the 
General  Assembly  shall  publish  a full  account  of  all  money  paid  into  the 
Treasury,  and  by  whom ; also  of  all  paid  out  of  it,  to  whom,  and  for 
what. 

Sec.  37.  If  any  dispute  or  difference  shall  arise  betwixt  citizens,  in 
matters  of  debt,  property,  character,  or  such  things,  the  parties,  agree- 
ing to  state  their  dispute,  and  leave  it  to  arbitration,  shall  proceed  in  the 
following  manner  : — they  shall  apply  by  joint  petition  to  the  Registers 
of  the  district  where  the  case  exists,  or  the  defendant  lives,  unless  they 
shall  otherwise  agree,  who  shall  name,  in  writing,  twenty-four  substan- 
tial freemen  residing  in  the  same,  and  the  parties  shall  alternately  strike 
out  one  until  one  half  are  struck  out ; then  the  parties  shall  draw  by  lot 
such  an  odd  number  as  they  shall  agree  upon,  out  of  the  remainder, 
who,  after  taking  an  oath  to  try  the  case  in  dispute  without  favour,  affec- 
tion, or  partiality,  shall  hear  and  finally  determine  the  same. 

Sec.  38.  The  printing  presses  shall  be  free  to  every  person  who  un- 
dertakes to  examine  the  proceedings  of  the  Legislature,  or  any  person 
or  part  of  government ; and  no  prosecution  shall  commence  against  a 
printer  for  printing  any  thing  whatsoever,  provided  he  gives  up  the  per- 
son’s name. 

Sec.  39.  The  Legislature  shall  take  care  to  proportion  punishments  to 
the  crimes,  and  may  provide  houses  for  punishing,  by  hard  labour,  those 
convicted  of  crimes  not  capital,  wherein  the  criminals  shall  be  employed, 
for  the  benefit  of  the  public,  or  for  the  reparation  of  injuries  clone  to 
private  persons.  All  persons,  at  proper  times,  shall  be  admitted  to  see 
the  prisoners  at  their  labour. 

Sec.  40.  The  inhabitants  of  this  State  shall  have  liberty  to  fowl  and 
hunt  in  seasonable  times,  on  the  lands  they  hold,  and  all  others  therein, 
not  enclosed,  and  in  like  manner  to  fish  in  all  boatable  waters,  and  others, 
not  private  property. 

Sec.  41.  The  Legislature  hereafter  to  be  chosen,  shall  provide  that 
marriages,  in  this  commonwealth,  be  regularly  and  solemnly  celebrated, 
between  one  man  and  ODe  woman,  before  free  and  single. 

Sec.  42.  That  this  Constitution  may  be  the  better  understood  by  the 
citizens  of  this  commonwealth,  and  be  more  effectually  kept  inviolate  to 
the  latest  ages,  the  future  Legislature  shall  employ  some  person  or  per- 
sons, at  the  public  expense,  to  draw  it  out  into  a familiar  catechetical 
form,  and  the  Registers  shall  take  care  that  it  be  taught  in  all  the  schools 
within  their  respective  districts ; and  shall  further  provide,  that  a suffi- 
cient number  of  the  Constitution  be  printed,  that  each  citizen  may  have 
one,  as  the  inviolable  charter  of  his  privileges. 

Sec.  43.  The  future  Legislature  shall  choose  and  keep  a chaplain  du- 
ring their  session,  if  to  be  obtained,  and  shall  annually  invite  some  minis- 
ter of  the  gospel  to  open  their  first  session,  after  the  annual  election, 
with  a sermon. 

Sec.  44.  The  privileges  and  benefit  of  the  writ  of  Habeas  Corpus 
shall  be  enjoyed  in  this  commonwealth,  in  the  most  free,  easy,  cheap, 


334  GEN.  COCKE  APPOINTED  TO  UNITED  STATES  CONGRESS. 

expeditious  and  ample  manner,  and  shall  not  be  suspended  by  tbe  Legis- 
lature, except  upon  tbe  most  urgent  and  pressing  occasions,  and  for  a 
limited  time,  not  exceeding  twelve  months  : And,  iu  all  cases,  every  per- 
son shall  enjoy  the  liberty  of  being  heard  by  himself  and  his  counsel. 

Sec.  45.  In  order  that  the  freedom  of  this  commonwealth  may  be 
preserved  inviolate  forever,  there  shall  be  chosen  by  the  free  suffrage  of 
the  freemen  of  this  State,  on  the  day  of  in  the  year  one 

thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety,  and  in  every  succeeding  fifth  year 
forever,  twenty-four  freeholders,  two-thirds  of  which  shall  constitute  a 
Board  in  every  case,  and  known  by  the  name  of  a Council  of  Safety , 
and  shall  meet  on  the  day  of  next  ensuing  their  elec- 

tion, who,  during  one  year  after  said  day,  shall  have  full  power,  and 
their  duty  shall  he,  to  inquire  whether  the  Constitution  has  been  pre- 
served  [remainder  of  constitution  lost.] 

Before  its  adjournment  the  convention  appointed  General 
Cocke  to  present  the  constitution,  as  adopted,  and  a memo- 
rial to  Congress,  applying  for  admission  into  the  Union.  He 
was  not  received,  and  no  notice  was  taken  of  his  mission. 

GREENE  COUNTY  COURT. 

The  Franklin  government  had  now  commenced,  and,  at 
( the  May  Sessions  of  this  year,  the  county  officers 
‘ \ were  re-appointed  or  confirmed.  Under  the  new  dy- 

nasty, “Daniel  Kennedy  was  confirmed  as  Clerk;  James  Hous- 
ton, Sheriff ; Robert  Kerr,  Register ; and  Francis  Hughes, 
Ranger.  Tavern  rates  were,  Diet,  Is.;  liquor,  half  pint, 
6d. ; pasture  and  stable,  6d. ; lodging,  4d. ; corn,  per  gallon, 
8d. ; oats,  per  do.,  fid.” 

In  the  meantime,  Greeneville  had  been  laid  off.  The 
court-house  stood  at  the  lower  corner  of  the  present  court- 
house lot.  It  was  built  of  unhewn  logs,  and  coverd  with 
clapboards,  and  was  occupied  by  the  court,  at  first,  without 
a floor  or  a loft.  It  had  one  opening  only  for  an  entrance, 
which  was  not  yet  provided  with  a shutter.  Windows  were 
not  needed  either  for  ventilation  or  light,  the  intervals  be- 
tween the  logs  being  a good  substitute  for  them.  In  this 
simple  and  unpretending  chamber,  the  third  Franklin  Con- 
vention was  held,  and  there  the  elaborated  and  original 
constitution  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Frankland  was  pre- 
sented, angrily  discussed,  analyzed  and  rejected,  and  the 
constitution  of  the  State  of  Franklin  adopted.  In  it  the 


GREENEVILLE,  THE  CAPITAL  OF  FRANKLIN. 


335 


Commons  assembled  and  deliberated,  while  the  Senate  con- 
vened in  the  old  court  room  in  Carr’s  house,  which,  at  this 
time,  had  become  the  village  tavern.  Greeneville  became 
the  permanent  capital  of  the  new  state,  the  seat  of  its  legis- 
lature, and  the  place  where  the  governor  met  his  council  of 
state,  and  projected  and  matured  the  measures  of  his  foreign 
and  domestic  administration.  Most  loyal  amongst  the  loyal, 
to  Sevier  and  to  Franklin,  were  the  inhabitants  of  Greene 
county.  There  resided  many  of  his  captains  and  most  of 
his  officers  of  state.  They  were  the  last  to  abandon — they 
never  did  abandon  him.  Some  of  them  may  not  have  sup- 
ported the  Governor  of  Franklin,  but  none  of  them  refused 
their  support  to  John  Sevier. 

Petitions  were  drawn  up  and  circulated  among  the  people, 
praying  the  favourable  consideration  of  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States  to  the  separation  of  the  western  from 
the  eastern  sections  of  Virginia  and  North-Carolina. 

Other  petitions  from  the  people  of  the  ceded  territory, 
were  addressed  to  the  Legislature  of  North-Carolina.  In  one 
of  these,  here  preserved,  the  petitioners  “ beg  leave  to  ob- 
serve that  the  honourable  legislature  of  your  state,  on  the 
2d  June,  1784,  passed  an  act  ceding  to  the  United  States  the 
territory  which  lies  west  of  the  Apalachian  or  Alleghany 
Mountains  ; containing  in  said  act,  several  conditions  and 
reservations  in  behalf  of  your  petitioners,  who  discovering 
with  pleasure  and  acknowledged  gratitude,  the  paternal  and 
patriotic  disposition  of  the  legislature,  to  countenance  and 
consent  to  the  ease  and  happiness  of  your  remote  citizens, 
emboldened  us  to  set  about  erecting  a separate  government 
from  that  of  the  parent  state.  Assuring  your  honourable 
body,  that  it  is  not  from  any  disgust  to  your  constitution  or 
laws,  occasions  us  to  supplicate  you  to  permit  a separation, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  (we)  regard  North-Carolina,  and  will 
never  cease  to  feel  an  interest  in  whatever  may  concern  her 
happiness  and  safety ; and  that  our  hearty  and  kindest 
wishes  will  always  attend  the  parent  state.” 

The  convention  having  rejected  the  constitution  as  sub- 
mitted, and  adopted  that  of  North-Carolina,  under  which  the 
Franklin  government  had  thus  far  been  administered,  it 


336 


TREATY  OF  HOPEWELL. 


was  hoped  that  the  public  sentiment  would  be  propitiated, 
and  general  harmony  restored  ; but  new  elements  of  strife 
had  arisen  during  the  session  of  the  convention,  and  new 
topics  of  discussion  had  been  thrown  out  amongst  the  peo- 
ple. The  dissentients  comprised  in  their  number,  much  of 
the  wisdom  and  virtue  of  the  body  to  which  they  belonged ; 
and  desirous  of  sustaining  themselves  with  their  constitu- 
ents, they  published  an  account  of  their  proceedings,  together 
with  the  rejected  form  of  government,  and  appealed  again 
to  the  people.  Here,  as  might  have  been  anticipated,  secta- 
rian bigotry,  unlettered  ignorance,  and  impassioned  ultraism, 
would  all  tend  to  aggravate  the  existing  discord  and  embit- 
ter the  dispute.  Sections  I,  II,  III,  and  XXXII,  became  pro- 
lific sources  of  controversy  and  angry  debate.  The  deputies 
in  convention  had  dissented ; their  constituents  themselves 
could  not  harmonize  ; and  without  any  further  effort  to  re- 
model the  government,  the  people  at  length  acquiesced  in 
the  constitution  of  the  mother  state. 

In  the  meantime,  the  settlements  were  extended  over  the 
territory  acquired  under  the  Franklin  treaties  with  the 
Cherokees,  and  a new  source  of  hostilities  with  that  tribe 
arose  from  the  encroachment  of  the  whites  upon  lands  not 
embraced  in  former  cessions  to  the  adjoining  states.  It  was 
considered  b)r  Congress  necessary,  therefore,  that  a treaty 
should  be  held  under  the  authority  of  the  United  States. 
Benjamin  Hawkins,  Andrew  Pickens,  Joseph  Martin,  and 
Lachn.  McIntosh,  were  appointed  Commissioners  on  the  part 
of  the  General  Government.  They  invited  the  chiefs  of 
the  respective  towns  to  meet  with  them,  in  treaty,  at  Hope- 
well,  on  Keowee,  in  South-Carol ina. 

The  boundary,  which  had  been  the  chief  cause  of  com- 
plaint by  the  Indians,  was  made  to  conform  with  the  lines  of 
their  deed  to  Plenderson  & Co.,  and  the  treaty  held  by  Com- 
missioners of  Virginia  and  North-Carolina  in  1777.  In  their 
report  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  President  of  Congress,  the 
Commissioners  say  : “ The  Spaniards  and  the  French  from 
New-Orleans,  are  making  great  efforts  to  engross  the  trade 
of  the  Indians  ; several  of  them  are  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Tennessee,  and  are  well  supplied  with  the  proper  goods  for 


CHEROKEE  BOUNDARY. 


337 


the  trade.  The  Governor  of  New-Orleans  or  West  Florida 
has  sent  orders  to  the  Chickasaws  to  remove  all  traders  from 
that  country,  except  such  as  should  take  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance to  the  Catholic  King.”  “ The  Cherokees  say  that  the 
northern  Indians  have  their  emissaries  among  the  southern 
tribes,  endeavouring  to  prevail  with  them  to  form  an  alli- 
ance offensive  against  the  United  States,  and  to  commence 
hostilities  against  us  in  the  spring,  or  next  fall,  at  the  fur- 
thest ; that,  not  only  the  British  emissaries  are  for  this  mea- 
sure, but  that  the  Spaniards  have  extensive  claims  to  the 
southward,  and  have  been  endeavouring  to  poison  the  minds 
of  the  Indians  against  us,  and  to  win  their  affections  by 
large  supplies  of  arms,  military  stores  and  clothing.” 

By  the  fourth  article  uof  the  treaty  concluded  on  the  28th 
November,  1785,  the  Cherokee  boundary  is  declared  to  be  : 

Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  Duck  River,  on  the  Tennessee ; thence 
running  northeast  to  the  ridge  dividing  the  waters  running  into  the  Cum- 
berland from  those  running  into  the  Tennessee ; thence  eastwardly 
along  the  said  ridge  to  a northeast  line  to  be  run,  which  shall  strike  the 
River  Cumberland  forty  miles  above  Nashville;  thence  along  the  said 
line  to  the  river  ; thence  up  the  said  river  to  the  ford  where  the  Ken- 
tucky road  crosses  the  river ; thence  to  Campbell’s  line  near  Cumberland 
Gap ; thence  to  the  mouth  of  Cloud’s  Creek  on  Holston  ; thence  to  the 
Cbimneytop  Mountain ; thence  to  Camp  Creek,  near  the  mouth  of  Big 
Limestone,  on  Nollichucky ; thence  a southerly  course  six  miles  to  a 
mountain ; thence  south  to  the  North-Carolina  line  ; thence  to  the  South- 
Carol  ina  Indian  boundary,  and  along  the  same  southwest  over  the  top 
of  the  Oconee  Mountain  till  it  shall  strike  Tugalo  River  ; thence  a direct 
line  to  the  top  of  the  Currahee  Mountain ; thence  to  the  head  of  the 
south  fork  of  Oconee  River. 

In  the  meantime,  North-Carolina  was  not  inattentive  to 

„ ( the  growing  alienation  and  defection  of  her  western 

1785  ] . . 

( citizens.  The  Greeneville  Convention  had  met  on  the 
14th  of  November.  On  the  19th  of  the  same  month,  the 
North-Carolina  Legislature  assembled  at  Newbern.  Fol- 
lowing the  example  of  Virginia,  they  proceeded  to  take  into 
consideration  the  state  of  their  revolted  counties,  and  passed 
an  act,  preceded  by  a preamble,  in  which  it  is  stated  as  rep- 
resented to  the  Assembly — 

“That  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  Washington,  Greene  and  Sullivan 
counties,  have  withdrawn  their  allegiance  from  this  state,  and  have  been 
22 


338 


ELECTIONS  HELD  IN  FRANKLIN, 


erecting  a temporary  separate  government  amongst  themselves,  in  con- 
sequence of  a general  report  and  belief  that  the  state,  being  inattentive 
to  their  welfare,  had  ceased  to  regard  them  as  citizens,  and  had  made 
an  absolute  Cession,  both  of  the  soil  and  jurisdiction  of  the  country  in 
which  they  reside,  to  the  United  States,  in  Congress.  And  whereas, 
such  report  was  ill-founded,  and  it  was,  and  continues  to  be,  the  desire 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State  to  extend  the  benefits  of  civil 
government  to  the  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  the  western  counties,  until 
such  time  as  they  might  be  separated  with  advantage  and  convenience 
to  themselves ; and  the  Assembly  are  ready  to  pass  over,  and  consign 
to  oblivion,  the  mistakes  and  misconduct  of  such  persons  in  the  above- 
mentioned  counties,  as  have  withdrawn  themselves  from  the  government 
of  this  state  ; to  hear  and  redress  their  grievances,  if  any  they  have,  and 
to  afford  them  the  protection  and  benefits  of  government,  until  such 
time  as  they  may  be  in  a condition,  from  their  numbers  and  wealth,  to 
be  formed  into  a separate  commonwealth,  and  be  received  by  the  United 
States  as  a member  of  the  Union.” 

The  act  then  grants  pardon  and  oblivion  for  all  that  had 
been  done  in  the  revolted  counties,  on  the  condition  that 
they  return  to  their  allegiance  to  North-Carolina.,  and  ap- 
pointed officers,  civil  and  military,  in  place  of  the  incum- 
bents under  the  Franklin  dynasty,  and  empowered  the  voters 
of  Washington,  Sullivan  and  Greene,  to  choose  their  repre- 
sentatives otherwise  than  by  the  then  required  forms.  Three 
good  and  honest  men,  preferred  by  themselves,  were  to  act 
as  inspectors  of  the  elections,  and  to  return  a certificate  in 
favour  of  members  thus  chosen. 

It  is  not  known  how  many  of  the  several  counties  partici- 
pated in  the  provisions  thus  made  by  the  parent  state,  for  a 
return  of  her  western  citizens  to  their  allegiance.  But  in 
Washington  county  disaffection  to  the  Franklin  government 
began  to  manifest  itself,  and  George  Mitchell,  as  sheriff,  issued 
the  following  notice,  which  is  copied  exactly  from  the  origi- 
nal, as  found  among  the  Sevier  papers. 

July,  19th  day,  1V86. 

Advertisement. — I hereby  give  Publick  Notice,  that  there  will  be  an 
election  held  the  third  'Friday  in  August  next,  at  John  Rennoe’s,  near 
the  Sickamore  Slides,  where  Charles  Robertson  formerly  lived,  to 
choose  members  to  represent  Washington  county  in  the  General  As- 
sembly of  North-Carolina,  agreeable  to  an  Act  of  Assembly,  in  that 
case  made  and  provided,  where  due  attendance  will  given  pr.me. 

Geo.  Mitchell,  Shff. 

The  election  was  held  accordingly  at  the  Sycamore  Shoals, 


FOR  MEMBERS  TO  NORTH- CAROLINA  LEGISLATURE. 


339 


( on  Watauga  River,  when  Col.  John  Tipton  was 
l chosen  Senator  of  Washington  county,  and  James 
Stuart  and  Richard  White  were  chosen  as  members  of  the 
House  of  Commons  of  the  Legislature  of  North-Carolina. 
These  gentlemen  had  been  members  of  the  convention  that 
formed  the  new  government,  and  had  in  other  ways  partici- 
pated in  its  administration.  Their  well  known  influence 
and  weight  of  character  in  the  new  settlements,  rendered 
their  present  position  of  ill-omen  to  the  future  fortunes  of 
Franklin.  In  Washington  county  especially,  many,  influenced 
by  their  example,  accepted  the  terms  of  accommodation  held 
out  by  North-Carolina,  and  enrolled  their  names  in  opposi- 
tion to  the  new  state.  From  this  period  resistance  to,  or  re- 
fusal of  its  authority,  assumed  a more  systematic  and  deter- 
mined form. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1Y86,  was  presented  the  strange  specta- 
cle of  two  empires  exercised  at  one  and  the  same  time,  over  one  and  the 
same  people.  County  courts  were  held  in  the  same  counties,  under 
both  governments ; the  militia  were  called  out  by  officers  appointed  by 
both  ; laws  were  passedhy  both  assemblies,  and  taxes  were  laid  by  the 
authority  of  both  states.  The  differences  in  opinion  in  the  State  of 
Franklin,  between  those  who  adhered  to  the  government  of  North- 
Carolina,  and  those  who  were  the  friends  of  the  new  government,  be- 
came every  day  more  acrimonious.  Every  fresh  provocation  on  the  one 
side,  was  surpassed  in  way  of  retaliation  by  a still  greater  provocation  on 
the  other.  The  Judges  commissioned  by  the  State  of  Franklin,  held  Su- 
preme Courts  twice  in  each  year,  in  Jonesborough.  Colonel  Tipton 
openly  refused  obedience  to  the  new  government.  There  arose  a deadly 
hatred  between  him  and  Governor  Sevier,  and  each  endeavoured,  by  all 
the  means  in  his  power,  to  strengthen  his  party  against  the  other.  Tip- 
ton  held  courts  under  the  authority  of  North-Carolina,  at  Buffalo,  ten 
miles  ab($e  Jonesborough,  which  were  conducted  by  her  officers  and 
agreeably  to  her  laws.  Courts  were  also  held  at  Jonesborough  in  the 
same  county,  under  the  authority  of  the  State  of  Franklin.  As  the 
process  of  these  courts  frequently  required  the  sheriff  to  pass  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  each  other  to  execute  it,  a rencounter  was  sure  to  take 
place.  Hence  it  became  necessary  to  appoint  the  stoutest  men  in  the 
county  to  the  office  of  sheriff.  This  state  of  things  produced  the  ap- 
pointment of  A.  Caldwell,  of  Jonesborough,  and  Mr.  Pew,  the  sheriff  in 
Tipton’s  court.  Whilst  a county  court  was  sitting  at  Jonesborough,  in 
this  year,  for  the  county  of  Washington,  Colonel  John  Tipton,  with  a 
party  of  men,  entered  the  court  house,  took  away  the  papers  from  the 
clerk,  and  turned  the  justices  out  of  doors.  Not  long  after,  Sevier’s 
party  came  to  the  house  where  a county  court  was  sitting  for  the  county 
of  Washington,  under  the  authority  of  North-Carolina,  and  took  away 


340 


CIVIL  AND  MILITARY  OFFICERS  OF  FRANKLIN. 


the  clerk’s  papers,  and  turned  the  court  out  of  doors.  • Thomas  Gorly 
was  clerk  of  this  court.  The  like  acts  were  several  times  repeated 
during  the  existence  of  the  Franklin  government.  At  one  time  James 
Sevier,  then  having  the  records  of  the  old  court  under  North-Carolina, 
Tipton,  in  behalf  of  the  court  of  North-Carolina,  went  to  his  house  and 
took  them  away  by  force,  and  delivered  them  to  Gorly.  Shortly  after- 
wards the  records  were  retaken  by  Sevier’s  party,  and  James  Sevier, 
the  clerk,  hid  them  in  a cave.  In  these  removals  many  valuable  papers 
were  lost,  and  at  later  periods,  for  want  of  them,  some  estates  of  great 
value  have  been  lost.  In  the  county  of  Greene,  in  1786,  Tipton  broke 
up  a court  sitting  in  Greeneville,  under  the  Franklin  authority.  The 
two  clerks  in  all  the  three  old  counties,  issued  marriage  licenses,  and  many 
persons  were  married  by  virtue  of  their  authority.  In  the  courts  held 
under  the  authority  of  the  State  of  Franklin,  many  letters  of  admin- 
istration of  intestate  estates  were  issued,  aud  probate  of  wills  were 
taken.* 

Notwithstanding  the  defection  of  some  of  its  early  advo- 
cates, and  the  neutrality  of  others  of  its  friends,  the  govern- 
ment of  Franklin  continued  to  exercise  its  functions  in 
the  seven  counties  composing  its  sovereignty.  County  and 
Superior  Courts  were  held,  the  militia  was  mustered  and 
disciplined,  and  civil  and  military  elections  took  place  under 
its  authority.  In  the  new  county  of  Sevier,  Samuel  Newell 
and  John  Clack  were  elected  representatives  ; Samuel 
Weir  was  clerk  of  the  county  court  and  colonel  of  the  regi- 
ment. In  Spencer  county,  these  same  offices  were  filled  by 
Thomas  Henderson  ; and  William  Cocke  and  Thomas  King 
were  representatives.  In  Caswell  county,  Alexander  Out- 
law and  Henry  Conway  were  representatives  ; Joseph 
Hamilton  was  clerk  of  the  county  court,  and  George  Doherty, 
colonel  of  the  regiment.  In  Greene  county,  Daniel  Kennedy 
was  clerk,  and  John  Newman,  colonel.  James  Sgvier  was 
clerk  of  Washington  county.  In  Sullivan  county,  John 
Rhea  was  clerk,  George  Maxwell,  colonel  of  the  militia,  and 
John  Long,  John  Provin  and  George  Maxwell,  members  of 
the  Assembly. 

In  addition  to  the  administration  of  civil  affairs,  Governor 
Sevier,  early  in  this  year,  found  it  necessary  to  repel  the 
aggressions  made  upon  the  citizens  of  Franklin,  by  the  Che- 
rokees.  In  the  treaty  of  Hopewell,  that  tribe  had  agreed  to 
a lasting  peace  with  the  frontier  people.  Lulled  into  a state 


* Haywood. 


VALLEY  TOWNS  DESTROYED. 


341 


of  false  security  by  the  unanimity  with  which  the  treaty  had 
been  signed  by  the  chiefs  of  that  nation,  emigrants  had 
pushed  their  settlements  on  the  north  side  of  Holston  as  low 
down  as  Beaver  Creek,  in  what  has  since  become  Knox 
county.  Remote  from  sources  of  defence,  and  exposed  on 
three  sides  to  attack,  this  settlement  was  selected  as  the 
most  vulnerable  point.  The  house  of  Mr.  Biram  was  at- 
tacked, and  two  men  fell  victims  to  Cherokee  cruelty.  Many 
of  the  settlers  fell  back  upon  the  stations  above  them,  while 
a few  of  them  erected,  hastily,  temporary  defences  in  their 
own  neighbourhood.  Some  small  parties  were  soon  collected 
and  pursued  the  authors  of  the  mischief.  Governor  Sevier 
himself  adopted  the  policy,  heretofore  ascertained  to  be  the 
most  effectual,  of  penetrating  at  once  into  the  heart -of  the 
enemy’s  country,  securing  thereby  an  immediate  return  of 
the  hostile  Indians  to  the  defence  of  their  villages  and  homes. 
A call  for  volunteers  was  promptly  met,  by  the  rendezvous 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  horsemen  at  Houston’s  Station,  on 
the  waters  of  Little  River.  The  troops  crossed  the  Ten- 
nessee River  at  the  Island  Town,  and  passing  by  the  Tellico 
Plains,  marched  over  the  Unaca  Mountain  to  Hiwassee. 
Here,  three  of  the  Cherokee  villages,  called  the  Valley 
Towns,  were  destroyed,  and  fifteen  warriors  were  killed. 
Encamping  in  another  village  close  at  hand,  Sevier  sent  for- 
ward his  spies,  who  soon  returned  and  reported  that  they 
had  discovered  a large  trail.  The  troops  were  at  once  put 
in  motion,  and  marched  upon  the  trail.  From  the  best  in- 
formation before  them,  it  was  decided  in  a council  of  officers, 
that  as  the  number  of  the  enemy  could  not  be  less  than  one 
thousand  warriors,  as  they  were  under  the  command  of  John 
Watts,  a cunning  and  daring  leader,  and  were  probably  en- 
deavouring to  draw  Sevier  into  a narrow  defile,  it  was 
deemed,  under  existing  circumstances,  inexpedient  to  pursue 
the  enemy  without  reinforcements.  The  pursuit  was  aban- 
doned— the  troops  marched  back  to  their  encampment  and 
returned  home. 

The  effect  of  this  invasion  of  the  Cherokee  country  was 
salutary.  Few  aggressions  were,  for  some  time  after,  made 
against  the  frontier.  But  it  was  considered  by  each  of  the 


342 


COLONEL  MARTIN’S  LETTER. 


sovereignties  claiming  jurisdiction  over  the  country,  a wise 
and  necessary  policy  to  adopt  further  methods  of  conciliation 
and  security.  North-Carolina  had  sent  Col.  Joseph  Martin 
on  a mission  of  peace  into  the  interior  of  the  Cherokee  na- 
tion. Upon  his  return,  he  gave  to  Governor  Caswell  the  re- 
sult of  his  observation  on  Indian  affairs,  and  on  some  of  the 
measures  of  the  Franklin  government,  of  which  he  at  first 
was  an  officer.  His  letter  follows: 

Smith’s  River,  Henry  County,  May  11th,  1 V 86. 

Sir: — The  accounts  from  the  Cherokee  country  are  somewhat 
alarming.  I left  Chota  the  fourteenth  of  last  month,  when  two  or  three 
parties  had  gone  out  towards  Cumberland  or  Kentucky,  to  take  satis- 
faction for  four  of  their  young  men  that  were  murdered  by  one  McClure, 
and  two  others,  near  a small  Indian  town,  on  the  Tennessee.  I left  a 
man  in  whom  I can  confide  to  watch  their  return,  and  follow  me  with 
certain  intelligence,  which  he  has  done,  which  is  as  follows  : — The  1 7 th 
of  last  month,  the  parties  of  Indians  returned  with  fifteen  scalps,  sent 
several  letters  to  Gen.  Sevier,  which  he  read,  as  they  were  open  ; they  in- 
formed that  general  that  they  had  now  taken  satisfaction  for  their 
friends  that  were  murdered,  that  they  did  not  wish  for  war,  but  if  the 
white  people  wanted  war,  it  was  what  they  would  get.  He  further  says, 
that  he  was  informed  that  there  was  great  preparation  making  by  the 
Creeks,  to  carry  on  an  expedition  against  Cumberland — that  they  were 
about  to  erecta  postator  near  the  Muscle  Shoals — that  several  pack  horses 
had  already  passed  by  Chickamauga — they  say  the  French  and  Spaniards 
that  are  settled  there  are  to  furnish  them  with  arms  and  ammunition — 
the  Indians  told  me  I might  depend  that  the  Creeks  would  endeavour  to 
break  up  Cumberland  this  summer — I have  lately  been  through  the 
different  Cherokee  towns  this  spring,  from  Tugalo  to  Hightower,  on  the 
Chattahoochee  River ; they  all  seem  very  friendly,  and  I believe  not  the 
least  danger  from  any  unless  Chickamauga ; they  seem  much  divided. 
The  Draggon  Canoe,  which  is  one  of  the  chiefs,  is  much  attached  to  the 
Spanish  interest,  and  I believe  will  join  the  Creeks ; he  killed  two  tra- 
ders the  latter  part  of  the  winter,  on  their  way  to  the  Chickasaws  from 
Cumberland.  Ellis  Haslin,  one  of  the  principal  traders  in  the  Cherokee 
country,  informed  me  he  saw  a party  of  Creeks  and  Chickamaugas,  on 
their  way  to  Cumberland,  and  endeavoured  to  turn  them  back,  but  they 
told  him  they  were  at  open  war  with  the  Virginians,  and  they  would  not 
go  back.  I spent  some  days  at  Holston,  to  find  out,  as  well  as  I could, 
the  disposition  of  the  people  respecting  the  new  state,  and  by  the  best 
calculations  I can  make,  two-thirds  of  them  are  for  the  old  state,  and  I 
make  no  doubt  of  their  sending;-  delegates  to  North-Carolina  next  ses- 
sion;  they  have  held  an  Assembly  lately,  and  appointed  Capt.  Cocke  a 
member  of  Congress,  and  given  Col.  Charles  Robertson  liberty  to  coin 
thirty  thousand  dollars  specie.  I am  told  they  are  to  have  a coat  of 
arms  of  their  own,  having  a reference  to  the  State  of  Franklin.  One  of 
the  members  of  the  Assembly  informed  me  that  the  colonel  was  in  such 


COMMISSIONERS  OF  COYATEE  TREATY. 


343 


forwardness  with  his  mint,  that  in  the  course  of  three  weeks  he  could 
furnish  their  members  to  Congress  with  cash  of  the  new  coin. 

Governor  Sevier  and  the  authorities  of  Franklin  were  not 
inattentive,  in  the  meantime,  to  their  relations  with  the 
Indians,  and  in  the  exercise  of  one  of  the  highest  at- 
tributes of  political  sovereignty,  appointed  Commissioners  to 
negotiate  a second  treaty  with  the  Cherokees.  The  Commis- 
sioners were  William  Cocke,  Alexander  Outlaw,  Samuel 
Weir,  Henry  Conway,  and  Thomas  Ingles.  The  conference 
begun  at  Chota  Ford,  July  31,  and  was  concluded  at  Coytoy, 
(Coiatee  ?)  Aug.  3d.  On  the  part  of  the  Indians,  the  negotia- 
tion was  conducted  by  Old  Tassel  and  Hanging  Maw.  The 
best  account  of  the  treaty  is  found  in  the  letter  of  one  of  the 
Commissioners,  enclosing  the  proceedings  to  the  Governor  of 
North-Carolina.  It  follows  : 

Bend  of  Chttckey,  Oct.  8th,  1786. 

Honoured  Sir  : — I have  enclosed  you  a copy  of  a late  treaty  with  the 
Cherokee  Indians,  and  a just  account  of  their  conduct  and  present  situ- 
ation. They  came  into  our  settlement  on  the  north  of  Holston,  the 
10th  of  July,  and  warned  the  settlement  that  there  were  Creeks  to 
attack  them  the  week  following,  and  agreed  with  our  people  that  they 
might  know  them  from  the  Creeks,  to  wear  a white  flag  on  their  head 
and  on  their  guns  ; and  that  whenever  they  saw  any  white  people,  they 
would  halloo  “ Chota  ” to  them ; and  on  the  20th  of  July,  which  was 
the  time  they  said  the  Creeks  was  to  attack  the  settlement,  two  young 
men  were  going  from  the  station  to  a cornfield,  some  Indians  hailed 
them,  and  called  “ Chota,”  and  the  young  men  went  to  them,  and  they 
seemed  friendly,  offered  a swap  of  guns  with  one  of  the  white  men,  and 
got  hold  of  the  white  man’s  gun,  and  then  shot  him  down  with  his  own 
gun;  the  other  man  rode  off,  and  the  other  two  Indians  fired  at  him, 
and  shot  two  bullets  through  him ; but  he  rode  to  the  station,  and  lived 
three  days.  He  was  well  acquainted  with  the  Indians  that  shot  him. 
Col.  Cocke  and  myself  got  account  of  the  murder  the  23d,  and  the 
31st  we  were  in  the  town  where  the  Indians  lived  that  did  the  mischief, 
with  two  hundred  and  fifty  men.  We  sent  for  the  Heads  of  the  towns 
to  meet  us  at  about  six  miles  from  the  town,  at  Chota  Ford,  as  you 
will  see  in  the  Talk,  where  they  refused  to  give  up  the  murderers,  and 
said  they  were  gone  to  the  Shawnees ; but  we  had  certain  accounts  that 
they  were  then  in  the  town  ; on  which  news  we  marched  to  the  town, 
and,  luckily,  killed  two  of  the  very  Indians  that  did  the  murder ; and 
sent  for  all  the  warriors  from  all  the  near  towns,  which  met  accordingly, 
and  agreed  to  the  terms  I have  enclosed ; and  I was  last  week  in  the 
town,  anc  had  a Talk  with  them,  and  they  seem  very  friendly,  and  well 
satisfied  we  should  settle  the  country,  and  say  they  will  sell  us  the  coun- 
t on  the  south  of  the  Tennessee,  and  let  us  settle  round  them,  if  we 


344 


NEGOTIATION  AT  CIIOTA  FORD 


■will  keep  the  Creeks  from  killing  them  ; or  they  will  leave  the  country 
entirely,  if  we  will  give  them  goods  for  it ; and  I am  convinced,  from 
the  late  conduct  and  accounts  I have  had  from  them,  the  whole  country 
to  the  Georgia  line,  on  this  side  of  Cumberland  Mountain,  may  be  had 
from  them  for  a very  trifling  sum. 

With  this  letter,  Col.  Outlaw  sent  the  following: 

A Treaty  held  between  the  Officers  of  the  State  of  Franklin  and  the 
Cherokee  Indian  Chiefs,  July  31st  and  August  3d,  1786,  as  fol 
lows,  viz : 

July  31st,  Chota  Ford. 

Brothers  and  Warriors  : — We  are  sorry  that  you  have  drove  us  to 
the  necessity  of  coming  to  your  ground  to  hold  a Talk  with  you  after 
the  Grand  Peace  with  our  Great  People,  the  Congress,  and  our  own 
treaty  with  you,  at  Dumplin  Creek,  last  year.  You  have  now  broke 
through  all  your  Talks,  and  murdered  our  young  men,  and  stole  our 
horses  from  our  own  settlements,  and  robbed  and  murdered  our  men  at 
Kentucky,  and  on  the  Kentucky  Road  and  at  Cumberland,  and  have 
always  laid  it  on  the  Creeks;  but  now  we  have  got  proof  that  it  is  your 
own  warriors  that  do  the  mischief,  and  lay  it  on  the  Creeks.  We  have 
now  come  down  to  talk  plain  and  straight  with  you,  and  to  tell  you 
that  North-Carolina  has  sold  us  all  the  country  on  the  north  side  of 
Tennessee  and  Holston  ; that  we  intend  to  settle  on  it,  and  wish  to  do 
so  in  jieace  with  you  all,  and  trade  and  live  friendly  with  all  our  bro- 
thers. And,  agreeable  to  the  treaty  you  made  with  us,  we,  in  plain 
words,  demand  the  murderers  from  you  that  killed  our  people,  and  de- 
mand all  the  horses  you  have  taken  from  us,  and  from  the  people  on 
the  Kentucky  Road  and  Cumberland ; on  which  terms  we  will  be  bro- 
thers with  you  all,  and  continue  so  until  you  do  more  murder  on  our 
frontiers,  at  which  time  we  will  come  down  and  destroy  the  town  that 
does  the  mischief,  and  not  let  one  of  the  murderers  live  in  the  towns 
that  are  peaceable  and  friendly ; and  if  you  are  afraid  of  the  other 
Indians,  we  will  protect  you  and  help  you  fight  them  ; on  which  terms 
we  will  make  peace  with  you  and  be  friends.  If  not,  we  are  warriors, 
and  it  is  what  you  will.  If  you  love  peace,  give  up  the  murderers  and 
you  shall  have  peace. 

answered  by  the  tassel. 

How  I am  going  to  speak  to  you,  brothers.  We  have  smoked. 
The  Great  Man  above  sent  the  tobacco.  It  will  make  your  hearts 
straight.  I come  from  Chota.  I see  you.  You  are  my  brothers.  I 
see  what  has  been  done  is  the  cause  of  your  coming.  I am  glad  to 
see  my  brothers  and  hold  them  fast  by  the  hand.  The  Great  Man 
made  us  both,  and  he  hears  the  Talk.  The  Great  Man  stopped  you 
here  to  hear  my  Talk.  They  are  not  my  people  that  spilt  the  blood  and 
spoiled  the  good  Talk  a little.  My  town  is  not  so  ; they  will  always 
use  you  well  whenever  they  see  you.  The  men  that  did  the  murder 
are  bad  men  and  no  warriors.  They  are  gone,  and  I can’t  tell  where 
they  are  gone.  They  lived  in  Coytoy,  at  the  mouth  of  Holston.  This 


TRANSFERRED  TO  COYATEE. 


345 


is  all  I have  to  say.  . They  have  done  the  murder.  Now  I give  you 
good  talk.  I will  tell  you  about  the  land;  what  you  say  concerning  the 
land,  I will  talk  to  Congress  about,  and  the  man  that  sold  itl  shall 
look  to  for  it.  You  say  that  North-Carolina  sold  you  the  land  over  the 
river.  We  will  talk  to  all  our  Head  men  about  it.  The  Great  Man  above 
has  sent  you  this  white  Talk  to  straight  your  hearts  through.  I give 
you  this  pipe  in  token  of  a straight  Talk.  I am  very  sorry  my  people 
has  done  wrong  to  occasion  you  to  turn  your  backs.  A little  talk  is  as 
good  as  much  talk ; too  much  is  not  good. 

Coytoy,  August  3d. 

Brothers  and  Warriors  : — We  are  now  in  Coytoy,  and  are  going  to 
give  you  a straight  Talk.  You  all  well  know  that  the  great  man  over 
the  water,  King  George,  once  commanded  us  all,  and  then  we  were  all 
brothere  ; and  that  the  great  man,  the  king,  got  angry  with  us,  and  came 
over  the  water  and  killed  our  men  and  burnt  some  of  our  houses,  which 
caused  a war,  and  all  your  people,  the  Indians,  helped  the  great  man 
over  the  water,  and  we  beat  you  all ; and  then  the  great  man  over  the 
water  gave  up  all  this  land  to  us,  the  white  people,  and  made  a peace 
with  us,  and  then  our  great  men,  the  Congress,  made  a peace  with  you, 
and  agreed  to  live  brothers  with  you  all,  and  gave  you  such  a piece  of 
land  to  live  on  as  they  thought  right,  and  so  did  your  brother,  John 
Sevier,  governor  of  this  country,  and  his  commissioners  at  Dumplin, 
last  year  ; but  now  you  have  broke  all  the  good  Talk,  and  your  people 
have  murdered  our  young  warriors,  your  brothers,  at  Kentucky,  Cum- 
berland, and  here,  at  home,  and  have  killed  our  people  as  you  did  when 
you  were  helping  the  great  man  over  the  water,  and  have  always  laid 
it  on  the  Creeks ; but  now  we  know  it  is  your  people  that  does  the 
mischief.  And  to  convince  you  we  are  willing  to  live  brothers,  we  have 
marched  a few  of  our  warriors  into  the  town  that  killed  our  young  men, 
and  burnt  the  town  house  where  your  people  held  the  council  to  kill 
our  men,  and  have  burnt  the  bad  men’s  houses,  and  destroyed  as  much 
corn  as  we  thought  belonged  to  them,  but  have  not  marched  to  any 
other  town  where  our  honest  brothers  lived,  but  have  sent  for  them  all 
to  come  and  talk  and  smoke  and  eat  with  us,  and  let  them  all  see  that 
we  will  not  hurt  any  of  their  people,  our  brothers,  that  are  honest  and 
will  not  kill  our  people.  And  we  now  tell  you,  in  plain  words,  that  if 
you  kill  any  more  of  our  people,  we  will  come  down  and  destroy  the 
town  that  does  the  mischief,  unless  you  bring  the  rogues  to  us ; and  if 
our  people  have  killed  any  of  your  people  since  we  came  down,  you 
must  blame  your  bad  men  for  it,  for  we  do  not  know  your  bad  men 
when  they  are  in  the  woods.  You  have  killed  our  old  commanders, 
Colonel  Donelson  and  Colonel  Christian,  who  were  always  your  friends 
when  you  were  brothers,  and  were  our  great  warriors  and  counsellors ; 
and  that  you  may  not  be  any  more  deceived,  we  now  tell  you,  plainly, 
that  our  great  counsellors  have  sold  us  the  lands  on  the  north  side  of 
the  Tennessee  to  the  Cumberland  Mountain,  and  we  intend  to  settle  and 
live  on  it,  and  if  you  kill  any  of  our  people  for  settling  there,  we  shall 
destroy  the  town  that  does  the  mischief ; and  as  your  people  broke  the 
peace  you  made  with  Congress  and  us,  and  killed  our  men,  it  was  your 


346 


TREATY  OF  COYATEE. 


faults  that  we  come  out  to  war.  We  have  right  to  all  the  ground  we 
marched  over,  but  if  you  wish  to  live  brothers,  and  be  at  peace,  we  will 
let  you  live  iu  Coytoy,  as  brothers,  in  your  old  houses,  if  you  will  agree 
to  give  up  the  murderers  when  you  can  get  them  ; and  we  only  claim 
the  island  in  Tennessee,  at  the  mouth  of  Holston,  and  from  the  head 
of  the  island  to  the  dividing  ridge  between  Holston  River,  Little  River 
and  Tennessee,  to  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  the  lands  North-Carolina  sold 
us,  on  the  north  side  of  Tennessee,  which  lines  and  terms  we  will  agree 
to  lay  before  our  Great  Council,  and  if  you  will  agree  to  live  brothers 
and  friends,  notwithstanding  our  taking  of  it  by  the  sword,  which  is 
the  best  right  to  all  countries,  we  will  do  our  best  endeavours  to  get  our 
Council  to  give  you  all  some  goods,  in  token  of  our  sincere  peace  and 
lasting  friendship,  although  you  refused  to  give  up  the  murderers  at 
Chota  Ford  when  we  sent  to  you  and  demanded  them  of  you,  agreeable 
to  your  treaty  with  us  before  we  did  you  any  harm,  which,  had  you 
have  done,  we  would  not  have  marched  into  your  town,  but  wouli 
have  taken  you  by  the  hand  and  been  brothers.  Now,  can  you  blame 
us,  when  your  people  broke  the  good  Talks  and  spilt  our  blood  ? We 
call  upon  the  Great  Man  above  to  witness,  and  you,  yourselves,  know, 
that  we  have  acted  agreeable  to  our  former  treaty,  and  only  wish  to 
punish  the  bad  men  and  settle  on  the  land  North-Carolina  sold  us. 

Wm.  Cocke, 

Alex.  Outlaw, 
Samuel  Wear, 
Henry  Conway, 
Thomas  Ingles. 


Attest — Joseph  Conway. 


answer. 


August  3d. 

Brothers  : — You  have  spoke  to  me.  I am  very  thankful  to  you  for  it. 
My  brother,  William  Christian,  took  care  of  every  body,  and  was  a good 
man ; he  is  dead  and  gone.  It  was  not  me  nor  my  people  that  killed 
him.  They  told  lies  on  me.  I loved  Col.  Christian,  and  he  loved  me. 
He  was  killed  going  the  other  way,  over  the  big  river.  I never  heard 
of  your  Great  Council  giving  you  the  land  you  speak  of.  I talked,  last 
fall,  with  the  great  men  from  Congress,  but  they  told  me  nothing  of 
this.  I remember  that  the  great  men  and  I talked  together  last  fall, 
and  did  not  think  this  murder  would  have  happened  so  soon.  We  talk 
good  together  now,  but  the  great  people,  a good  way  off,  don’t  talk  so 
good  as  you  ; they  have  spoke  nothing  to  us  about  the  land,  but  now 
you  have  told  us  the  truth.  We  hope  we  shall  live  friends  together  on 
it,  and  keep  our  young  men  at  peace,  as  we  all  agree  to  sign  the  above 
terms  and  live  brothers  hereafter. 


Wm.  Cocke, 

Alex.  Outlaw, 

Saml.  Wear, 

Henry  Conway, 

Thomas  Ingles. 

Attest — Joseph  Conway. 


his 

Old  td  Tassel, 
mark 

his 

Hanging  M Maw. 
mark. 


MISSION  OF  GENERAL  COCKE  AND  JUDGE  CAMPBELL. 


347 


The  difficulties  with  the  Indians  being  thus  adjusted,  and 
provision  being  made  for  co-operating  with  Georgia  against 
the  Creeks,  it  remained  for  the  authorities  of  Franklin  to  re- 
concile conflicts  nearer  home.  The  imperium  in  imperio 
condition  of  things  threatened  anarchy  or  misrule — perhaps 
disaster  and  ruin  to  all  parties.  The  people  in  some  of  the 
revolted  counties  had  sent  forward  their  representatives  to 
the  General  Assembly  of  North -Carolina,  which  met  in  No- 
vember, at  Fayetteville.  They  were,  in  like  manner,  repre- 
sented in  the  Assembly  of  Franklin.  Taxes  were  laid  by 
both  governments  and  collected  by  neither,  the  people  not 
knowing,  as  was  pretended,  which  had  the  better  right  to 
receive  them  ; and  neither  government  was  forward  in  over- 
ruling the  plea,  for  fear  of  giving  offence  to  those  who  could 
at  pleasure,  transfer  their  allegiance.*  Previous  attempts 
had  failed  in  securing  from  North-Carolina  her  consent  to  the 
separation  of  her  revolted  counties.  Disaffection  had  already 
manifested  itself  against  the  authority  of  Franklin,  and  some 
of  those  who  at  first  were  the  most  zealous  and  clamorous 
for  the  separation,  were  now  opposing  it  in  their  legislative 
capacity  at  Fayetteville.  Every  day  brought  new  embar- 
rassments to  the  administration  of  Governor  Sevier,  who, 
with  the  Assembly,  was  devising  plans,  by  which  to  extri- 
cate the  new  government  from  impending  danger.  One  of 
these  was  the  appointment  of  General  Cocke  and  Judge 
Campbell,  as  Commissioners,  to  negotiate  a separation.  Each 
of  them  was  well  suited  for  the  purpose  of  his  mission.  The 
former  was  identified  with  the  new  settlements,  by  an  early 
participation  in  the  privation,  enterprise  and  danger  of  the 
pioneer  life.  More  recently,  he  had  taken  an  active  part  in 
founding  the  new  state — had  been  appointed  its  delegate  to 
Congress — commanded  a brigade  of  its  militia,  and  held  other 
positions  implying  confidence  in  his  talents  and  address.  His 
colleague  had  also  a minute  acquaintance  with  every  ques- 
tion relating  to  either  of  the  parties; — held  the  highest  judi- 
cial station  in  the  government  from  which  he  was  accredited, 
and  by  his  private  worth  was  entitled  to  the  respect  of  the 
one  to  which  he  was  sent. 


* Haywood. 


348 


GOVERNOR  SEVIER  TO  GOVERNOR  CASWELL, 


To  secure  to  his  embassy  the  greater  consideration  and 
weight,  the  Governor  of  Franklin  addressed  to  the  Governor 
of  North-Carolina  a communication,  conceived  in  respectful 
and  lenient  terms,  yet  manifesting,  at  the  same  time,  earnest- 
ness and  determination,  in  maintaining  the  rights  and  ad- 
vancing the  interests  of  his  state.  It  is  dated  at  his  private 
residence. 

Mount  Pleasant,  Franklin,  28th  October,  1786. 

Sir  : — Our  Assembly  have  again  appointed  Commissioners  to  wait 
on  the  parent  state,  who,  I hope,  will  cheerfully  consent  to  the  separa- 
tion as  they  once  before  did. 

It  gives  us  inexpressible  concern  to  think  that  any  disputes  should 
arise  between  us,  more  especially  when  we  did  not  in  the  first  instance 
pray  the  separation,  but  adopted  our  course  after  the  same  was  done  by 
Act  of  your  Assembly.  We  humbly  conceived  we  should  do  no  wrong 
by  endeavouring  to  provide  for  ourselves,  neither  had  we  the  most  dis- 
tant idea  that  the  Cession  act  would  be  repealed,  otherwise  matters 
might  not  have  been  carried  to  the  length  they  are.  The  propriety  of 
the  repeal  we  do  not  pretend  to  scrutinize,  as  respecting  the  policy  of 
your  state ; but,  permit  us  to  say,  that,  in  our  opinion,  we  discover  many 
embarrassments  both  parties  are  likely  to  labour  under  in  consequence 
of  the  repeal.  We  cannot  suppose  that  Congress  will  consider  itself 
well  treated  by  North-Carolina,  and  we  doubt  that  body  will,  thereby, 
become  in  some  measure  inattentive. 

The  late  Indian  Treaties  in  the  south  seem  deeply  to  concern  each 
party,  especially  now  we  find  Congress  have  ratified  the  proceedings, 
and  we  have  called  on  your  state  to  carry  the  same  into  effect,  so  far  as 
respects  the  same.  We  do  not  pretend  to  discriminate  the  motives  that 
induced  that  body  to  enter  into  those  measures,  but  beg  leave  to  say,  that, 
in  our  opinions,  that  had  the  deed  or  deeds  been  executed  agreeable  to 
the  Cession  act,  that  then  our  lands  in  the  westward  would  have  been 
secured  under  the  conditions  of  that  act ; but,  under  the  present  cir- 
cumstances, the  greatest  part  of  our  western  country  lies  in  a very 
doubtful  and  precarious  situation.  I hope  your  Assembly  will  take  un- 
der their  serious  consideration  our  present  condition,  and,  we  flatter  our- 
selves, that  august  body  will  not  submerge  into  ruin  so  many  of  their 
late  citizens,  who  have  fought  and  bled  in  behalf  of  the  parent  state,  and  ' 
are  still  ready  to  do  so  again,  should  there  be  an  occasion,  Our  local 
and  remote  situation  are  the  only  motives  that  induce  us  to  wish  for  a 
separation.  Your  constitution  and  laws  we  revere,  and  consider  our- 
selves happy  that  we  have  had  it  in  our  power  to  get  the  same  estab- 
lished in  the  State  of  Franklin,  although  it  has  occasioned  some  confu- 
sion among  ourselves.  We  do,  in  the  most  candid  and  solemn  manner, 
assure  you  that  we  do  not  wish  to  separate  from  you  on  any  other 
terms,  but  on  those  that  may  be  perfectly  consistent  with  the  honour 
and  interest  of  each  party  ; neither  do  we  believe  there  is  any  among 
us  who  would  wish  for  a separation,  did  they  believe  the  parent  state 


ACCREDITING  HIS  COMMISSIONERS. 


349 


would  suffer  any  real  inconveniency  in  consequence  thereof.  We  would 
be  willing  to  stand  or  fall  together,  under  any  dangerous  crisis  what- 
ever. 

We  cannot  be  of  the  opinion  that  any  real  advantages  can  be  ob- 
tained by  a longer  connection.  Our  trade  and  commerce  is  altogether 
carried  on  with  other  states,  therefore  neither  party  is  benefited  on  that 
head  ; and  whether  it  can  be  suggested  that  the  business  of  government 
can  be  extended  from  five  to  eight  hundred  miles  distance,  is  a matter  I 
leave  to  your  own  good  sense  to  judge  of ; and,  further,  it  cannot  be 
supposed  that  the  inhabitants  who  reside  at  that  distance,  are  not  equally 
entitled  to  the  blessings  of  civil  government,  as  their  neighbours  who 
live  east,  south,  or  any  other  point,  and  not  one-fourtli  of  the  distance 
from  the  seat  of  government,  besides  the  incomparable  advantages  of 
the  roads  and  other  easy  communications,  that  you  have  on  the  east  of 
the  Apalachian.  However  inconsiderable  the  people  of  this  country 
may  appear  at  this  day,  reason  must  inform  us  that  the  time  is  not  far 
distant,  when  they  will  become  as  consequential  in  numbers,  if  not  more 
so,  than  most  of  the  Eastern  States,  and  when  your  Excellency  will  be 
pleased  to  view  the  many  advantages  arising  from  the  fertility  of  our 
soil,  and  the  moderate  and  salubrious  climate,  you  cannot,  I presume, 
differ  in  sentiments  on  this  head. 

We  will  admit  that  our  importation  is  not  so  flattering,  but  our  ex- 
ports are  equal  to  any.  As  to  our  present  abilities,  we  must  confess 
they  are  not  so  great  as  could  be  wished  for;  but,  happily  for  us,  we  have 
the  parent,  and  many  old  and  experienced  states  to  copy  after. 

As  to  my  own  part,  I have  always  considered  myself  happy  while  under 
the  government  of  North-Carolina,  and  highly  honoured  with  the  dif- 
ferent appointments  they  have  been  pleased  to  confer. 

I heartily  wish  your  Legislature  had  either  not  repealed,  or  never 
passed  the  Cession  act,  for  probably  it  may  occasion  much  confusion, 
especially  should  your  Assembly  listen  too  much  to  prejudiced  persons, 
though  this  I have  no  right  to  suggest,  but  fear  we  may  have  a quarrel 
sufficient  on  our  hands  without  any  among  ourselves. 

I am  authorized  to  say  there  is  no  set  of  people  can  think  more  highly 
of  your  government  than  those  who  want  the  separation,  and  they  only 
wish  it  to  answer  their  better  conveniency ; and,  though  wanting  to  be 
separated  iii  government,  wish  to  be  united  in  friendship,  and  hope  that 
mutual  good  offices  may  ever  pass  between  the  parent  and  infant  state, 
which  is  my  sincere  wish  and  desire. 

Judge  Campbell,  on  account  of  ill  health,  was  unable  to 
accompany  the  other  Commissioner  on  his  embassy  to  Fay- 
etteville. But,  desirous  of  effecting  its  object,  “ a ratifica- 
tion of  our  independence,”  he  forwarded  to  Governor  Cas- 
well his  written  argument  in  support  of  it,  as  follows  : 

State  of  Franklin,  ) 
Caswell  County,  Nov.  30th,  1786.  [ 

May  it  please  your  Excellency — 

I have  hesitated  to  address  your  Excellency  on  so  delicate  a subject  as 


350 


judge  campbell’s  written  argument. 


the  present.  I shall  only  state  a few  facts,  and  leave  your  Excellency  to 
draw  the  conclusion. 

Is  not  the  continent  of  America  one  day  to  become  one  consolidated 
government  of  United  States?  Is  not  your  state,  when  connected  with 
this  part  of  the  country,  too  extensive  ? Are  we  not,  then,  one  day  to  be  a 
separate  people  ? Do  you  receive  any  advantage  from  us  as  now  situated  ? 
or  do  you  ever  expect  to  receive  any  ? I believe  you  do  not.  Suffer  us, 
then,  to  pursue  our  own  happiness  in  a way  most  agreeable  to  our 
situation  and  circumstances.  The  plans  laid  for  a regular  and  sys- 
tematic government  in  this  country,  are  greatly  frustrated  by  the  oppo- 
sition from  your  country.  Can  a people  so  nearly  connected  as  yours 
are  with  ours,  delight  in  our  misfortunes?  The  rapid  settlements  that 
are  making,  and  have  been  made  out  of  the  bounds  prescribed  both  by 
your  state  and  ours,  is  a matter  worthy  your  consideration;  our  divisions 
are  favourable  to  those  who  have  a mind  to  transgress  our  laws.  If  you 
were  to  urge  us,  and  it  were  possible  we  should  revert  back  to  you.  in 
what  a labyrinth  of  difficulties  would  we  be  involved  ? Witness  the 
many  lawsuits,  which  have  been  decided  under  the  sanction  of  the  laws 
of  Franklin,  the  retrial  of  which  would  involve  many  persons  in  certain 
ruin. 

If  we  set  out  wrong,  or  were  too  hasty  in  our  separation,  this  country 
is  not  altogether  to  blame  ; your  state  pointed  out  the  line  of  conduct, 
which  we  adopted  ; we  really  thought  you  in  earnest  when  you  ceded  us  1 
to  Congress.  If  you  then  thought  we  ought  to  be  separate,  or  if  you 
now  think  we  ever  ought  to  be,  permit  us  to  complete  the  work  that  is  j 
more  than  half  done ; suffer  us  to  give  energy  to  our  laws  and  force  to 
our  councils,  by  saying  we  are  a separate  and  independent  people,  and 
Ave  will  yet  be  happy.  I suppose  it  will  astonish  your  Excellency  to 
hear  that  there  are  many  families  settled  within  nine  miles  of  the  i 
Cherokee  nation.  What  will  be  the  consequence  of  those  emigrations? 
Our  laws  and  government  must  include  these  people  or  they  will  be-  !' 
come  dangerous;  it  is  vain  to  say  they  must  be  restrained.  Have  not 
all  America  extended  their  back  settlements  in  opposition  to  laws  and 
proclamations?  The  Indians  are  now  become  more  pusillanimous,  and 
consequently  will  be  more  and  more  encroached  upon  ; they  must,  they 
will  be  circumscribed.  Some  of  your  politicians  think  we  have  not  men 
of  abilities  to  conduct  the  reins  of  government ; this  may  iu  some  mea- 
sure be  true,  but  all  new  states  must  have  a beginning,  and  we  are 
daily  increasing  in  men  both  of  political  and  law  knowledge.  It  was 
not  from  a love  of  novelty,  or  the  desire  of  title,  I believe,  that  our  leaders 
were  induced  to  engage  in  the  present  revolution,  but  from  pure  neces- 
sity. We  were  getting  into  confusion,  and  you  know  any  government  is 
better  than  anarchy.  Matters  will  be  differently  represented  to  you, 
but  you  may  rely  on  it,  a great  majority  of  the  people  are  anxious  for 
a separation.  Nature  has  separated  us  ; do  not  oppose  her  in  her  work ; 
by  acquiescing  you  will  bless  us,  and  do  yourself^no  injury  ; you  bless  us 
by  uniting  the  disaffected,  and  do  yourself  no  injury,  because  you  lose 
nothing  but  people  who  are  a clog  on  your  government,  and  to  whom 
you  cannot  do  equal  justice  by  reason  of  their  detached  situation. 

I was  appointed  to  wait  on  your  General  Assembly,  to  urge  a ratifi- 


GENERAL  COCKe’s  ADDRESS  TO  ASSEMBLY. 


351 


cation  of  our  independence,  but  the  misfortune  of  losing  one  of  my  eyes, 
and  some  other  occurrences,  prevented  me.  You  will,  therefore,  par- 
don me  for  the  liberties  I have  taken,  whilst  endeavouring  to  serve  a 
people  whose  situation  is  truly  critical. 

Notwithstanding  these  earnest  representations  made  in 
behalf  of  the  people  of  Franklin,  the  Assembly  of  North- 
Carolina,  disregarding  their  protests  and  memorials,  con- 
tinued to  legislate  for  them.  The  territory  that  had  been  em- 
braced in  the  new  county  of  Spencer,  under  the  Franklin 
Government,  was,  by  the  Legislature  of  North-Carolina,  laid 
off  into  a new  county  called  Hawkins,  and  civil  and  mili- 
tary officers  were  at  the  same  session  appointed  for  it,  and 
the  time  was  fixed  by  law  for  holding  the  courts.  The  As- 
sembly had  also  taken  into  consideration  the  measures 
necessary  to  be  adopted  in  relation  to  the  revolters  in 
Franklin.  At  this  moment,  General  Cocke,  the  other  Com- 
missioner from  the  State  of  Franklin,  appeared  in  Fayette- 
ville, and,  at  his  request,  was  heard  at  the  bar  of  the  House 
of  Commons.  In  a speech  of  great  length,  as  copied  from 
Haywood,  he  pathetically  depicted  the  miseries  of  his  dis- 
tressed countrymen;  he  traced  the  motives  of  their  separa- 
tion to  the  difficult  and  perilous  condition  in  which  they  had 
been  placed  by  the  Cession  act  of  1784  ; he  stated  that  the 
savages  in  their  neighbourhood,  often  committed  upon  the  de- 
fenceless inhabitants  the  most  shocking  barbarities;  and 
that  they  were  without  the  means  of  raising  or  subsisting 
troops  for  their  protection  ; without  authority  to  levy  men  ; 
without  the  power  to  lay  taxes  for  the  support  of  internal 
government ; and  without  the  hope  that  any  of  their  neces- 
sary expenditures  would  be  defrayed  by  the  State  of  North- 
Carolina,  which  had  then  become  no  more  interested  in  their 
safety  than  any  other  of  the  United  States.  The  sovereignty 
retained  being  precarious  and  nominal,  as  it  depended  on  the 
acceptance  of  the  cession  by  ; . , ;o  it  .-uv.-  anticipa- 

ted would  be  the  concern  of  North-Carolina  for  the  ceded 
territoiy.  With  these  considerations  full  in  view,  what  were 
the  people  of  the  ceded  territory  to  do,  to  avoid  the  blow  of 
the  uplifted  tomahawk?  How  were  the  women  and  children 
to  be  rescued  from  the  impending  destruction  ? Would  Con- 


352  PATHETICALLY  RECOUNTS  THE  TRIALS  AND 

gress  come  to  their  aid  ? Alas  ! Congress  had  not  yet  ac- 
cepted of  them,  and  possibly,  never  would.  And  if  accepted, 
Congress  was  to  deliberate  on  the  quantum  of  defence  which 
might  be  afforded  to  them.  The  distant  states  would  wish 
to  know  what  profits  they  could  respectively  draw  from  the 
ceded  country,  and  how  much  land  would  remain,  after 
satisfying  the  claims  upon  it.  The  contributions  from  the 
several  states  were  to  be  spontaneous.  They  might  be  too 
limited  to  do  any  good,  too  tardy  for  practical  purposes. 
They  might  be  unwilling  to  burthen  themselves  for  the  salva- 
tion of  a people  not  connected  with  them  by  any  endearing 
ties.  The  powers  of  Congress  were  too  feeble  to  enforce 
contributions.  Whatever  aids  should  be  resolved  on,  might 
not  reach  the  objects  of  their  bounty,  till  all  was  lost. 
Would  common  prudence  justify  a reliance  upon  such  pros- 
pects ? Could  the  lives  of  themselves  and  their  families  be 
staked  upon  them  ? Immediate  and  pressing  necessity  called 
for  the  power,  to  concentrate  the  scanty  means  they  possessed 
of  saving  themselves  from  destruction.  A cruel  and  insid- 
ious foe  was  at  their  doors.  Delay  was  but  another  name 
for  death.  They  might  supinely  wait  for  events,  but  the  first 
of  them  would  be  the  yell  of  the  savage  through  all  their 
settlements.  It  was  the  well-known  disposition  of  the  sav- 
ages to  take  every  advantage  of  an  unpreparedness  to  receive 
them,  and  of  a sudden  to  raise  the  shrieking  cry  of  exulta- 
tion over  the  fallen  inhabitants.  The  hearts  of  the  people  of 
North-Carolina  should  not  be  hardened  against  their  breth- 
ren, who  have  stood  by  their  sides  in  perilous  times,  and 
never  heard  their  cry  of  distress  when  they  did  not  instantly 
rise  and  march  to  their  aid.  Those  brethren  have  bled  in 
profusion  to  save  you  from  bondage,  and  from  the  sangui- 
nary hands  of  a relentless  enemy,  whose  mildest  laws  for 
the  punishment  of  rebellion,  is  beheading  and  quartering. 
When  driven  in  the  late  war,  by  the  presence  of  that  enemy, 
from  your  homes,  we  gave  to  many  of  you  a sanctified  asy- 
lum in  the  bosom  of  our  country,  and  gladly  performed  the 
rites  of  hospitality  to  a people  we  loved  so  dearly.  Every 
hand  was  ready  to  be  raised  for  the  least  unhallowed  viola- 
tion of  the  sanctuary  in  which  they  reposed. 


VINDICATION  OF  THE  FRANKS. 


353 


The.  act  for  our  dismissal  was,  indeed,  recalled  in  the  winter 
of  1784;  what  then  was  our  condition?  More  pennyless, 
defenceless  and  unprepared,  if  possible,  than  before,  and  un- 
der the  same  necessity  as  ever,  to  meet  and  consult  together 
for  our  common  safety.  The  resources  of  the  country  all 
locked  up,  where  is  the  record  that  shews  any  money  or  sup- 
plies sent  to  us  ? — a single  soldier  ordered  to  be  stationed  on 
the  frontiers,  or  any  plan  formed  for  mitigating  the  horrors 
of  our  exposed  situation  ? On  the  contrary,  the  savages  are 
irritated  by  the  stoppage  of  those  goods  on  their  passage, 
which  were  promised  as  a compensation  for  the  lands  which 
had  been  taken  from  them.  If  North-Carolina  must  yet  hold  us 
in  subjection,  it  should  at  least  be  understood  to  what  a state 
of  distraction,  suffering  and  poverty,  her  varying  conduct 
has  reduced  us,  and  the  liberal  hand  of  generosity  should  be 
widely  opened  for  relief,  from  the  pressure  of  their  present 
circumstances  ; all  animosity  should  be  laid  aside  and  buried 
in  deep  oblivion,  and  our  errors  should  be  considered  as  the 
offspring  of  greater  errors  committed  by  yourselves.  It  be- 
longs to  a magnanimous  people  to  weep-  over  the  failings  of 
their  unfortunate  children,  especially  if  prompted  by  the  in- 
considerate behaviour  of  the  parent.  Far  should  it  be 
from  their  hearts  to  harbour  the  unnatural  purpose  of  adding 
still  more  affliction  to  those  who  have  suffered  but  too  much 
already.  It  belongs  to  a magnanimous  people  to  give  an 
industrious  attention  to  circumstances,  in  order  to  form  a just 
judgment  upon  a subject  so  much  deserving  of  their  serious 
meditation,  and  when  once  carefully  formed,  to  employ,  with, 
sedulous  anxiety,  the  best  efforts  of  their  purest  wisdom,  in 
choosing  a course  to  pursue,  suitable  to  the  dignity  of  their 
own  character,  consistent  with  their  own  honour,  and  the 
best  calculated  to  allay  that  storm  of  distraction  in  which 
their  hapless  children  have  been  so  unexpectedly  involved. 
If  the  mother  shall  judge  the  expense  of  adhesion  too  heavy 
to  be  borne,  let  us  remain  as  we  are,  and  support  ourselves 
by  our  own  exertions  ; if  otherwise,  let  the  means  for  the  con- 
tinuance of  our  connexion  be  supplied  with  the  degree  of 
liberality  which  will  demonstrate  seriousness  on  the  one  hand 
and  secure  affection  on  the  other. 

23 


354 


THE  REMOVAL  OF  OLD  OFFICE  HOLDERS,  DRAWS 


His  speech  was  heard  with  attention,  and  he  retired. 

The  Assembly  progressed  in  deliberating  on  the  measures  to  be 
adopted  with  respect  to  the  revolted  counties.  By  another  act  of  this 
session,  they  pardoned  the  offences  of  all  persons  who  had  returned  to 
their  allegiance  to  the  State  of  North-Carolina,  and  restored  them  to  all 
the  privileges  of  the  other  citizens  of  the  state,  as  if  the  said  offences 
and  misconduct  had  never  existed.  With  regard  to  decisions  respecting 
property,  which  were  incompatible  with  justice,  they  enacted,  that  the 
person  injured  should  have  remedy  at  common  law.  They  continued 
in  office  all  officers,  both  civil  and  military,  who  held  and  enjoyed  such 
offices  on  the  1st  of  April,  1*784 ; but  declared  vacant  the  offices  of  all 
such  persons  as  had  accepted  and  exercised  other  offices  and  appoint- 
ments, the  acceptance  and  exercise  of  which  were  considered  to  be  a 
resignation  of  their  former  offices  held  under  the  State  of  North-Caro- 
lina ; and  they  directed  that  such  vacant  offices,  both  civil  and  military, 
shall  be  filled  with  proper  persons  to  be  appointed  by  the  General  As- 
sembly, and  commissioned  by  the  Governor  of  North-Carolina,  as  by 
law  directed.* 

The  latter  provisions  of  this  act  produced  great  dissatis- 
faction amongst  the  people  upon  whom  it  was  intended  to 
operate.  The  old  office  holders  were  capable,  they  had  been 
faithful,  and  their  experience  and  attention  to  official  duty 
had  secured  universal  confidence  and  approbation  These, 
upon  whom  the  new  appointments  were  conferred,  were 
many  of  them  non-residents,  inexperienced  and  not  reliable, 
selected  by  the  favouritism  of  some  functionary  in  the  old 
state,  and,  for  that  reason,  odious  to  the  people.  Their  ap- 
pointment was  denounced  by  and  drew  forth  the  bitter  con- 
demnation of  some  of  both  parties.  The  temper  of  the  com- 
plainants is  seen  in  the  letter  following,  from  Judge  Camp- 
bell to  the  Governor. 

State  of  Franklin,  ) 
Caswell  County,  March  18th,  1787.  f 
May  it  please  your  Excellency  : 

I was  honoured  with  yours  of  the  23d  of  February,  for  which  I ' 
beg  you  to  accept  of  my  most  cordial  acknowledgments.  The  majority 
of  the  people  of  Franklin  proclaim,  with  a degree  of  enthusiastic  zeal, 
against  a reversion  to  your  state.  Indeed,  I am  at  a loss  to  conjecture  J 
whether  your  Assembly  wished  us  to  revert ; if  so,  why  did  they  treat  II 
the  old  faithful  officers  of  this  couutry  with  so  much  contempt  ? Officers 
who  have  suffered  in  the  common  cause,  who  have  been  faithful  in  the 
discharge  of  the  trust  reposed  in  them,  have  been  displaced,  without 
even  the  formality  of  a trial.  Representations  by  a few  malcontents 


Haywood. 


FROM  JUDGE  CAMPBELL  A FURTHER  REMONSTRANCE.  355 


might  have  been  the  cause  of  such  proceedings,  but  surely  it  was  a 
most  impolitic  step.  If  the  old  officers,  who  were  the  choice  of  the 
people,  and  under  whom  they  have  long  served,  had  been  continued,  I 
doubt  not  hut  all  things  would  have  been  settled  here,  agreeable  to  the 
most  sanguine  wish  of  your  General  Assembly  ; but  such  infringements 
on  the  liberties  and  privileges  of  a free  people  will  never  be  attended 
with  any  salutary  consequence.  I also  blame  the  law,  which  passed  in 
your  Assembly,  to  enable  the  people  here  to  hold  partial  elections.  If 
it  was  intended  to  divide  us,  and  set  us  to  inassacreing  one  another,  it 
was  well  concerted,  but  an  ill-planned  scheme,  if  intended  for  the  good 
of  all.  The  great  number  of  warrants  which  issue  from  your  entry- 
taker’s  office,  without  the  composition  money  being  paid,  is  a very  great 
evil,  and  will  tend  exceedingly  to  embarrass  this  country.  But  I under- 
stand your  Assembly  have  put  a stop  to  such  unfair  proceedings.  You 
mention,  if  the  people  here  could  be  brought  to  agree  in  making  a 
general  application  to  the  Legislature  of  North- Carolina,  the  desired 
object  might  easily  be  brought  about.  Human  nature  is  the  same  in  all 
countries.  To  expect  to  bring  a people,  cordially  and  unanimously,  to 
adopt  even  the  most  salutary  measure,  is  not  to  be  expected,  and  they 
will  most  assuredly  be  refractory  to  doubtful  and  exceptionable  plans. 

The  people  here — for  I have  been  in  public  assemblies  and  made  it 
my  business  to  collect  their  sentiments — dread  the  idea  of  a reversion. 
They  say,  if  North-Carolina  is  in  earnest  about  granting  them  a separa- 
tion, why  not  permit  them  to  go  on  as  they  have  begun,  and  not  involve 
them  in  inextricable  difficulties,  by  undoing  the  work  of  two  or  three 
years  past?  They  made  offers  by  their  agent,  which  they  think  was 
favourable  to  your  country ; but  they  rejected  it  with  contempt.  I 
mean  the  bill  offered  by  General  Rutherford  to  your  Assembly,  in  behalf 
of  this  people.  What  conditions,  say  they,  would  North-Carolina  extort 
from  us,  were  we  under  their  laws  and  immediate  influence  ? Indeed, 
my  mind  is  tilled  with  painful  anxiety  for  this  people  ; the  sword  of  jus- 
tice and  vengeance  will,  I believe,  be  shortly  drawn  against  those  of  this 
'country  who  attempt  to  overturn  and  viojate  the  laws  and  government 
of  Franklin,  and  God  only  knows  what  will  be  the  event.  If  any  blood  is 
spilt  on  this  occasion,  the  act  for  partial  elections  from  your  country  will  be 
the  cause  of  it  ; and  I am  bold  to  say, -the  author  of  that  act  was  the 
author  of  much  evil.  That  your  Excellency  may  not  be  in  the  dark 
about  the  spirit  and  determination  of  a great  majority  of  these  people, 
n supporting,  maintaining  and  defending  their  beloved  Franklin,  I shall 
give  you  a brief  and  concise  detail  of  what  has  transpired  here  since  the 
ate  of  our  memorial  and  personal  application  to  the  Legislature  of 
Torth-Carolina  has  been  announced  to  us.  Pains  were  taken  to  col-- 
ect  the  wishes  of  the  people  respecting  a reversion ; many,  who  were 
onnerly  lukewarm,  are  now  flaming  patriots  for  Franklin.  Those  who 
/ere  reai  Franklinites,  are  now  burning  with  enthusiastic  zeal.  They 
ay  that  North-Carolina  has  not  treated  us  like  a parent,  but  like  a step- 
ame.  She  means  to  sacrifice  us  to  the  Indian  savages  ; she  has  broke 
ur  old  officers,  under  whom  we  fought  and  bled,  and  placed  over  us 
jiany  men  unskilled  in  military  achievements,  and  who  were  none  of  our 
hoice.  The  General  Assembly  has  been  convened  and  steps  were  taken  for 


356 


AUTHORITY  OF  FRANKLIN  IN  GREENE  COUNTY. 


our  internal  security,  with  a degree  of  unanimity  never  before  known  in  a 
deliberative  assembly.  A treaty  is  set  on  foot  with  the  Indians.  The 
land  office,  as  opened  to  the  Tennessee  from  the  south  side  of  French  Broad 
and  Holston  Rivers,  did  not  interfere  with  the  north  side,  where  your 
office  was  opened,  and  cautiously  avoided  interfering  with  the  rights  of  Con- 
gress. You  may  judge  from  the  foregoing  whether  these  people  are  in 
earnest  or  not.  You  must  not  conclude  we  are  altogether  unanimous, 
butj  I do  assure  you  a very  great  majority,  perhaps  nineteen-twentieths, 
seem  determined  to  persevere  at  all  hazards.  I make  no  doubt  but  your 
Excellency  will  use  your  influence  to  bring  matters  to  a friendly  and 
advantageous  issue  for  both  countries.  Nothing  that  the  love  of  hu- 
manity  can  inspire  me  with,  shall  be  wanting  on  my  part. 

The  Legislature  of  North-Carolina,  at  the  same  session 
when  this  obnoxious  act  was  passed,  adopted  the  concilia- 
tory measure  of  relinquishing  to  the  citizens  of  the  revolted 
counties  all  the  taxes  due  and  unpaid  since  1784.  This,  with 
the  act  of  pardon  and  oblivion  for  such  as  should  return  to 
their  allegiance  to  North-Carolina,  had  the  desired  influence 
upon  a part  of  the  disaffected.  Commissions  were  sent  to 
and  accepted  by  several  in  Washington,  Sullivan,  and  Haw- 
kins counties,  as  justices  of  the  peace,  under  the  authority 
of  the  old  state,  and  by  them  courts  were  held  and  law  ad- 
ministered, as  though  the  State  of  Franklin  did  not  exist.  In 
Greene  county,  and  the  new  counties  below  it,  men  could 
not  be  found  willing  to  accept  the  offered  commissions.  Ji 
There  the  authority  of  Franklin  was  supreme,  and  there 

^ ( was  no  conflict  of  jurisdiction.  It  was  very  different 
l elsewhere,  and  especially  in  Washington  county.  Pre- 
vious to  the  revolt,  courts  had  been  held  at  Jonesboro’,  and 
had  afterwards  been  held  at  the  same  place  under  the  new 
government.  Now,  w'hen  the  sentiment  of  allegiance  to 
North-Carolina  had,  in  some  measure,  become  general,  the 
newly  appointed  magistrates,  as  directed  by  law,  opened  and  ! 
held  their  courts  at  Davis’s,  ten  miles  above  Jonesboro’,  on 
Buffalo  Creek.  The  partizans  of  one  government  quarrelled 
with  those  of  the  other.  The  officers  of  each,  in  discharge 
of  official  duty,  came  into  conflict  with  the  authority  of  the 
rival  government.  The  animosity,  thus  engendered,  became 
the  more  acrimonious,  as  this  county  was  the  residence  of 
Governor  Sevier,  and  also  of  Col.  John  Tipton,  who,  though 
at  first  a leader  in  the  revolt,  had  now  become  promi- 


GEN.  SHELBY  HOLDS  A CONFERENCE  WITH  GOV.  SEVIER.  357 


nent  at  the  head  of  the  old  state  party.  These  two,  alike 
brave,  ambitious  and  patriotic,  and  champions  of  their  re- 
spective adherents,  kept  the  people  in  a constant  tumult, 
each,  alternately,  breaking  in  upon  and  interrupting  the 
courts  and  jurisdiction  of  the  other.  The  horrors  of  a fra- 
tricidal conflict  seemed  inevitable,  and  measures  were  adopt- 
ed by  both  parties  to  allay  the  agitation  and  restore  quiet. 
General  Rutherford  had  introduced  before  the  Legislature  of 
North-Carolina  a measure  of  conciliation,  that  would  have 
been  acceptable  to  the  malcontents  beyond  the  mountain, 
but  it  was  instantly  rejected.  The  mission  of  General  Cocke, 
and  the  pacific  overtures  of  Judge  Campbell,  had  been  abor- 
tive and  unsuccessful.  As  a dernier  resort,  negotiation  was 
attempted,  to  reconcile  the  conflicts  of  interests  and  of  feeling 
between  the  two  states.  Who  should  be  the  negotiator  ? An 
officer  of  the  old  state  ? The  opposition  to  such  an  one,  was 
at  one  time  a mere  prejudice — it  had  now  become  a senti- 
ment of  inappeasable  malignity,  and  no  offers  of  compromise 
from  him  could  be  for  a moment  entertained.  Policy  dicta- 
ted that  he  should  be  selected  from  the  western  people  them- 
selves, and  that  he  should  be  one  who,  from  his  past  position, 
was  identified,  in  all  his  sympathies  and  interests,  with  the 
West.  General  Evan  Shelby,  high  in  the  confidence  of  his 
countrymen  everywhere,  remarkable  for  his  probity,  can- 
dour, good  sense  and  patriotism,  was  requested  by  Gov.  Cas- 
well to  take  charge  of  this  delicate  negotiation ; and,  in  con- 
junction with  others,  whose  assistance  he  solicited,  met  a 
Commission  from  the  State  of  Franklin,  on  the  20th  day  of 
March,  1787,  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Smith.  At  this  con- 
ference Gov.  Sevier  represented  his  own  government,  aided 
by  such  of  its  friends  as  he  chose  to  invite.  The  result  of 
their  mutual  efforts  to  accommodate  existing  difficulties,  and 
to  prevent  the  occurrence  of  those  of  greater  magnitude,  now 
constantly  apprehended,  was  given  in  the  letter  following, 
from  General  Shelby  to  Governor  Caswell : 

Sullivan  County,  March  21st,  1787. 

Dear  Sir  : — Your  letter,  and  the  packets  which  you  were  pleased  to 
forward  by  your  son,  I have  received,  and  the  commissions  to  the  several 
counties  belonging  have  been  forwarded,  except  those  to  the  county  of 


358 


TERMS  OF  THE  COMPROMISE. 


Greene,  yet  in  my  hands,  not  well  knowing  who  to  direct  them  to.  The 
proclamations  have  been  disposed  of  accordingly.  I have  held  a confe- 
rence with  Mr.  John  Sevier,  Governor  of  the  Franklin  people.  The 
enclosed  is  a copy  of  what  was  there  concluded  between  him  and  me. 
It  is  submitted  to  the  legislature.  The  people  of  Franklin  have  lately 
held  an  Assembly  for  their  state,  and  have  passed  a bill  for  opening  an 
office  for  to  receive  entries  for  the  lands  included  between  French  Broad 
and  Tennessee  Rivers.  Also,  they  have  laid  a land  and  poll-tax  on  the  peo- 
ple. Conformable  to  the  commissions  for  the  peace  sent  up,  courts  of 
pleas,  &c.,  have  been  held  in  the  counties  of  Washington,  Sullivan  and 
Hawkins,  without  any  opposition.  Many  people  are  firmly  attached  to 
Nortli-Carolina  ; others  are  as  obstinate  against  it ; however,  it  is  to  be 
hoped  that  time  and  reflection  will  restore  them  friendly  to  North- 
Carolina. 

The  animosities  arising  from  difference  of  opinion  in  governments 
among  our  people  here,  have  run  high.  To  quiet  the  minds  of  the 
people,  and  preserve  peace  and  tranquillity  till  something  better  could 
be  done,  was  the  reason  that  induced  me  to  hold  a conference  and  con- 
clude on  the  articles  enclosed.  I would  be  much  rejoiced  if,  as  you 
mention,  you  would  think,  in  earnest,  to  come  and  live  among  us.  You 
might  do  much  here. 

CONFERENCE  AT  SMITH’S. 

“ At  a conference  held  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Smith,  Esquire,  on  the 
20th  day  of  March,  F787,  between  the  Honourable  Evan  Shelby, 
Esquire,  and  sundry  officers,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Honourable  John 
Sevier  and  sundry  officers,  of  the  other  part.  Whereas,  disputes  have 
arisen  concerning  the  propriety  and  legality  of  the  State  of  Franklin, 
and  the  sovereignty  and  jurisdiction  of  the  State  of  North-Carolina  over 
the  said  state  and  the  people  residing  therein. 

“ The  contending  parties,  from  the  regard  they  have  to  peace,  tran- 
quillity and  good  decorum  in  the  Western  country,  do  agree  and  recom- 
mend as  follows  : 

“ First.  That  the  courts  of  justice  do  not  proceed  to  transact  any  busi- 
ness in  their  judicial'  departments,  except  the  trial  of  criminals,  the 
proving  of  wills,  deeds,  bills  of  sale,  and  such  like  conveyances ; the 
issuing 'of  attachments,  writs  and  any  legal  process,  so  as  to  procure 
bail,  but  not  to  enter  into  final  determinations  of  the  suits,  except  tire 
parties  are  mutually  agreed  thereto. 

“ Secondly.  That  the  inhabitants  residing  within  the  limits  of  the  dis- 
puted territory  are  at  full  liberty  and  discretion  to  pay  their  public  taxes 
to  either  the  State  of  North-Carolina  or  the  State  of  Franklin. 

“ Thirdly.  That  this  agreement  and  recommendation  continue  until  the 
next  annual  sitting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  North-Carolina,  to  be 
held  in  November  next,  and  not  longer.  It  is  further  agreed,  that  if 
any  person,  guilty  of  felony,  be  committed  by  any  North  Carolina  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  that  such  person  or  persons  may  and  shall  be  recei  ved 
by  the  Franklin  sheriff  or  gaoler  of  Washington,  and  proceeded  against 
iii  the  same  manner  as  if  the  same  had  been  committed  by  and  from  any 
such  authority  from  under  the  State  of  Franklin.  It  is  also  recom- 
mended, that  the  aforesaid  people  do  take  such  modes  and  regulations, 


A TEMPORARY  QUIET  RESTORED. 


359 


and  set  forth  their  grievances,  if  any  they  have,  and  solicit  North-Caro- 
lina,  at  their  nest  annual  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  for  to 
complete  the  separation,  if  thought  necessary  by  the  people  of  the 
Western  country,  as  to  them  may  appear  most  expedient,  and  give  their 
members  and  representatives  such  instructions  as  may  be  thought  most 
conducive  to  the  interest  of  our  Western  World,  by  a majority  of  the 
same,  either  to  be  a separate  state  from  that  of  North-Carolina,  or  be 
citizens  of  the  State  of  North-Carolina. 

“ Signed  and  agreed,  on  behalf  of  each  party,  this  day  and  year  above 
written.  Evan  Shelby, 

John  Sevier.” 

A temporary  quiet  succeeded  this  compromise,  and  the  peo- 
{ pie  having  the  right  of  paying  their  taxes,  and  of  owing 

1 I Oi  j 

( allegiance  to  either  of  the  rival  governments,  at  their 
own  option,  the  jurisdiction  of  both  was  for  a time  co-ordi- 
nate. No  better  proof  need  be  adduced  that  the  inhabitants 
of  the  disaffected  country  were  law-abiding,  honest,  just,  and 
peaceable,  than  their  demeanour  under  this  unwonted  condi- 
tion of  questionable  allegiance.  Anywhere  else,  anarchy, 
misrule,  tumult  and  violence,  would  have  followed.  Preva- 
lent sentiment  was,  amongst  these  primitive  people,  essen- 
tially the  law,  and  had  the  validity  and  force  of  legislative 
authqrity.  Popular  opinion  was  radically  sound.  It  was  in 
favour  of  right  and  justice.  The  people  bowed  to  its  supre- 
macy, and  paid  allegiance  to  its  mandates.  They  needed  no 
other  tribunal. 

Still,  a wound  had  been  inflicted  upon  the  dignity  of  the 
parent  state,  and  there  were  not  wanting  men  in  the  coun- 
try, willing  to  appease  her  wrath,  and  make  an  atonement 
for  the  indignity  and  injury  she  had  received.  These,  finding 
fault  with  and  condemning  the  acts  of  the  new  state,  re- 
ported its  wrong  doings  to  Governor  Caswell.  They  were 
clamorous  about  trespasses  committed  upon  Cherokee  terri- 
tory, by  the  intruding  “ Franklinites,”  and  foreboded  what 
really  took  place,  a renewal  of  Indian  aggression  upon  the 
settlements,  if  these  were  not  restrained.  Such  is  the  im- 
port of  the  letter  following  : 

Chota,  25th  March,  1 7 8 7. 

Sir  : — At  my  arrival  in  this  place,  I found  the  Indians  in  greater 
confusion  than  I had  ever  seen  before,  owing  in  part  to  Colonel  John  Lo- 
gan’s expedition  against  them,  together  with  daily  encroachments  of  the 


360 


COLONEL  MARTIN  TO  GOVERNOR  CASWELL. 


Franklintons  on  their  lands.  They  have  actually  opened  a land  office 
for  every  acre  of  land  that  the  Legislature  of  Nortli-Carolina  ceded  to 
them  north  of  the  Tennessee,  which  includes  several  of  their  principal 
cornfields,  and  a part  of  their  beloved  town,  Chota,  and  the  whole  town 
of  Rial,  and  are  now  settling  on  the  banks  of  the  river.  I this  day 
finished  a Talk  with,  the  Indians,  a copy  of  which  I enclose  to  your  Ex- 
cellency. Three  letters  have  lately  been  brought  to  the  different  towns, 
and  read,  from  the  French  at  the  Muscle  Shoals,  which  inform  the  Indians 
that  the  English,  French  and  Spanish,  have  actually  joined  to  carry  on 
a war  against  America ; that  the  Americans  have  stopped  their  trade 
from  Detroit,  by  seizing  several  of  their  boats  on  the  Mississippi ; that 
they  will  not  undertake  to  furnish  them  in  future  with  anything  but 
guns,  knives,  tomahawks,  and  ammunition  ; of  these  articles  they  shall 
have  plenty.  Various  are  the  conjectures  of  the  traders  respecting 
war  with  the  Cherokees.  My  opinion  is,  there  will  be*  a great  deal  of 
mischief  done,  if  not  an  open  war,  unless  the  Franklinites  can  be  re- 
moved off  their  land  ; which,  I am  well  assured,  cannot  be  done  without 
an  armed  force. 

Another  writer,  under  date  March  26th,  of  this  year,  in- 
forms the  governor,  “ Politics  in  this  part  of  the  country 
run  high.  \ou  hear  in  almost  every  collection  of  people, 
frequent  declarations  of  hurrah  for  North-Carolina  ! and 
others  in  the  same  manner  for  the  State  of  Franklin.”  “ The 
Franklin  Assembly  have  passed  their  act  to  punish,  by 
imprisonment,  any  person  that  shall  -act  in  the  commission 
of  justice  of  the  peace  or  other  civil  office,  under  the  as- 
sumed authority  of  North-Carolina.  God  only  knows  where 
this  contention  will  end.  I fear  it  will  end  in  blood.” 

Governor  Caswell  received  another  letter  of  still  more  por- 
tentous import,  from  an  accredited  agent,  who  had  been  sent 
to  spy  out  the  real  condition  of  affairs  in  his  trans-montane 
territory.  In  his  tour  of  observation,  he  seems  to  have  de- 
tected not  only  infidelity  on  the  part  of  the  people  of  Frank- 
lin to  North-Carolina,  but  “ a tendency  to  dissolve  the  federal 
bands.”  He  is  the  first  to  advise  “ the  interference  of  go- 
vernment” to  suppress  the  insurgents. 

Col.  Hutchings  to  Gov.  Caswell  : 

Hawkins  County,  the  1st  April,  1787. 

Sir  : — I received  your  Excellency’s  letter  of  the  27th  Feb.,  1787,  with 
the  enclosed  papers  and  others  forwarded  ; and  in  compliance  with  the 
contents,  I give  you  a statement  of  the  proceedings  in  this  quarter,  as 
you  signified  a desire  to  know  how  the  laws  and  a return  to  the  old  go- 
vernment set  on  the  minds  of  the'people.  I find  in  the  county  of  Greene 
the  people  are  much  divided.  In  the  other  three  counties,  about  two- 


GOVERNOR  CASWELL  TO  GOVERNOR  SEVIER. 


361 


thirds  are  much  pleased  with  the  laws  and  a return  to  the  old  govern- 
ment. The  commissions  and  appointments  are  generally  received.  The 
people  on  the  Indian  hunting  grounds,  I learn,  are  very  obstinate,  and  I 
suppose  will  pay  little  or  no  respect  to  your  Excellency’s  proclamation 
for  their  removal.  The  Franklin  party  yet  persist,  and  seems  to  impede 
the  progress  of  civilization  and  retard  the  operation  of  the  most  salutary 
laws.  They  have  lately  held  an  Assembly  and  passed  several  acts,  and 
seem  vigorous  in  executing  them.  They  have  opened  an  office  for  the 
lands  south  of  French  Broad  to  the  banks  of  Tennessee  Paver.  The 
land  is  to  be  sold  at  forty  shillings  per  hundred  acres,  the  first  ten 
shillings  in  hand,  and  two  years  credit  for  the  other  thirty  shillings. 
This  unites  the  inhabitants  of  those  lands  to  their  party  ; and  in  order 
to  frighten  others  into  a compliance  with  them,  the  Assembly  have 
passed  an  act  to  fine  and  imprison  any  person  who  shall  dare  to  act 
under  the  authority  of  North-Carolina  : — for  the  first  offence  five  pounds  ; 
a second  offence,  ten  pounds  and  a year’s  imprisonment;  and  the  governor 
at  his  discretion  to  summon  a guard  over  them,  which  guard  are  to  be 
paid  out  of  the  property  of  the  offender.  They  have  also  empowered 
the  governor  to  raise  the  militia  to  oppose  the  operation  of  the  laws  of 
North-Carolina,  who  are  now  enlisting  and  giving  four  hundred  acres  of 
land  bounty.  This  is  under  a colour  of  guarding  the  frontiers.  Should 
they  offer  any  insult  to  the  civil  authority,  I expect  it  will  be  difficult  to 
prevent  an  effusion  of  blood.  I think  your  Excellency  will  readily  see  the 
necessity  of  the  interference  of  government ; and  unless  those  people  are 
entitled  to  exclusive  and  separate  emoluments  from  the  rest  of  the  com- 
munity, they  ought,  certainly,  to  be  quelled.  If  we  are  in  our  allegiance, 
protection  ought  to  be  reciprocal.  I,  therefore,  give  it  as  my  opinion, 
that  it  is  highly  necessary  that  notice  should  be  taken  of  the  conduct  of 
those  people,  as  there  are  many  plans  and  matters  agitated  by  them, 
which  seem  to  have  a tendency  to  dissolve  even  the  federal  bands.  Seve- 
ral letters  I have  in  my  possession,  which  can  be  spoken  of  no  other 
way.  A few  lines  from  your  Excellency,  with  your  advice  howto  conduct 
myself  in  this  unhappy  dilemma,  would  be  most  thankfully  received. 

The  Governor  of  North-Carolina  thought  proper,  after  the 
adjournment  of  its  legislature,  to  communicate  directly  to 
Gov.  Sevier,  the  proceedings  of  that  body  in  reference  to  the 
revolters.  It  follows : 

Kinston,  23d  February,  1Y8Y. 

Sir: — I was  favoured  with  your  letter  of  the  28th  of  October,  on  the 
subject  of  a separate  and  independent  government  on  your  side  of  the 
Apalachian,  which  I did  myself  the  honour  of  laying  before  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly.  Their  resolutions  and  determinations  on  that  subject,  I 
had  3 at  ter  ed  myself  it  would  be  in  my  power  to  have  forwarded  you 
copies  of,  by  this  time.  It  must,  therefore,  suffice,  that  I acquaint  you 
for  the  present,  that  the  Assembly,  from  the  representation  of  persons 
from  among  yourselves,  was  induced  to  believe  it  was  proper  for  the  peo- 
ple to  return  to  subjection  to  the  laws  and  government  of  North-Caro- 
lina ; that  they  are  not  yet  of  strength  and  opulence  sufficient  to  sup- 


382 


REPLY  OF  GOVERNOR  SEVIER. 


port  an  independent  state ; that  they,  the  Assembly,  wish  to  continue 
the  benefits  and  protection  of  the  state  towards  them,  until  such  time 
as  their  numbers  and  wealth  will  enable  them  to  do  for  themselves, 
when  they,  the  Assembly,  are  free  to  say,  a separation  may  take  place. 
In  the  meantime,  the  most  friendly  intercourse  between  the  citizens  on 
the  eastern  and  western  waters,  is  strongly  recommended;  and  as  the 
people  westward  of  the  Apalachian  have  received  no  benefit  from  Go- 
vernment for  the  two  years  last  past,  they  are  willing  to  exempt  them 
from  the  payment  of  the  public  taxes. 

Thus,  sir,  you  have  in  substance,  as  far  as  I recollect,  the  amount  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  Assembly,  save  the  appointment  of  civil  and 
military  officers  for  the  three  old  and  a new  county  ; the  brigade  to  be 
commanded  by  Evan  Shelby,  Esq.  In  the  civil  department,  Judge 
Campbell  is  re-appointed;  and  the  representatives  carried  out  commis- 
sions for  the  county  officers,  civil  and  military.  I have  not  a doubt,  but 
a new  government  may  be  shortly  established,  if  the  people  would 
unite,  submit  to  the  former  government,  and  petition  for  a separation. 
This,  I think,  is  the  only  constitutional  mode,  and  I firmly  believe,  if 
pursued,  will  be  a means  of  effecting  the  separation  on  friendly  terms, 
which  I much  wish  ; and  I cannot  say  but  I have  my  own  satisfaction 
in  view,  as  I expect,  if  life  and  health  and  strength  last,  to  lay  my 
bones  on  the  western  waters.  Twelve  months  will  bring  about  a re- 
lease to  me  from  public  employment,  and  it  is  my  intention  then  to  visit 
that  country  once  more ; and  if  I can  find  a place,  to  secure  an  agreeable 
private  retreat  for  the  remainder  of  my  life,  I mean  to  establish  it  as 
the  place  of  my  residence.  I wish  you  and  your  friends  to  consider  the 
propriety  of  these  measures,  and  if  you  think  proper  to  adopt  them, 
you  will.  I think,  answer  your  views  with  respect  to  a new  government, 
and  come  a shorter  way  to  obtain  the  same,  than  by  divisions  among 
yourselves  ; for  there  will  be  greater  obstructions  in  your  way  than  those 
occasioned  by  the  mere  opinion  of  the  people  here.  These  are  my  candid 
sentiments.  I may  be  mistaken,  but  time  will  evince  the  propriety  or 
otherwise,  of  my  observations. 

In  answer  to  this  communication,  the  Governor  of  Frank- 
lin writes,  under  date, 

Jonesboro’,  6th  April,  1'78'7. 

Sir : — I was  favoured  with  yours  of  23d  February,  in  which  your 
Excellency  was  pleased  to  favour  me  with  a detail  of  the  proceedings  of 
your  Assembly.  I must  own,  before  their  rising,  I had  the  fullest  hopes 
and  confidence,  that  body  would  have  either  agreed  to  the  separation,  on 
honourable  principles  and  stipulations,  or  otherwise  endeavoured  to  have 
re-united  us  upon  such  terms  as  might  have  been  lasting  and  friendly, 
but  I find  myself  and  country  entirely  deceived  ; and  if  your  Assembly 
have  thought  their  measures  would  answer  such  an  end,  they  are  equally 
disappointed.  But  I firmly  believe,  had  proper  measures  been  adopted, 
an  union,  in  some  measure,  or  perhaps  fujly,  would  have  taken  place. 
We  shall  continue  to  act  as  independent,  and  would  rather  suffer  death 
in  all  its  various  and  frightful  shapes,  than  conform  to  any  thing  that  is 
disgraceful. 


COLCILIATORY  REPLY  OF  GOVERNOR  CASWELL. 


363 


The  firm  and  decisive  tone  of  this  letter,  was  in  accord- 
ance with  the  present  temper  of  Sevier  and  his  adherents. 
The  compromise  entered  into  between  the  contracting  par- 
ties, March  20th,  was  found  to  be,  in  some  of  the  counties,  of 
little  avail.  “It  is  agreed  and  recommended,”  were  terms 
sufficiently  explicit  and  strong  to  be  obligatory  on  the  masses, 
and  their  “regard  to  peace,  tranquillity  and  good  decorum,” 
led  them  to  respect  the  provisions  of  the  agreement.  But 
in  Washington,  Sullivan  and  Hawkins,  where  the  recent  act 
of  North-Carolina  had  vacated  certain  of  the  offices,1  and 
commissions  under  her  authority  had  been  accepted  and 
acted  under,  a spirit  of  faction  and  discontent  developed 
itself.  The  ins  and  the  outs,  as  is  sometimes  seen  in  more 
modern  times,  quarrelled.  A question  arose  as  to  the  pow- 
ers of  those  who  had  negotiated  the  late  “ agreement  and 
recommendation.”  By  common  consent,  the  office  holders 
considered  them  invalid  and  irregular.  The  truce  was  ended. 
Gov.  Sevier  determined  that  he  and  the  other  officers  of 
Franklin  would  “ act  as  independent.” 

To  Gov.  Sevier’s  letter,  Gov.  Caswell  replied,  in  a very 
friendly  and  conciliatory  spirit,  under  date, 

Kinston,  April  24th,  1 T87. 

Bear  Sir  : — I had  the  honour  to  receive  your  letters  by  Mr.  Meek. 
I cannot  account  for  the  conduct  of  our  Assembly  in  their  last  session. 
I know  some  of  the  gentlemen’s  sentiments  did  not  coincide  with  my 
own,  but  still  think  if  the  people  on  your  side  the  mountain  had  then 
been  more  unanimous,  the  measures  of  a separation  on  just  and 
honourable  principles  would  have  been  pursued ; and  if  it  were  possible 
for  the  people  amongst  you  to  prevail  upon  themselves  to  apply  by  suffi- 
cient number,  to  give  convincing  proofs  of  far  the  greater  part  of  the 
whole  being  desirous  of  establishing  a new  government  upon  such  prin- 
ciples, the  same  may  yet  be  effected.  If  the  violences  of  the  passions  of 
some  men  among  you  are  not  restrained,  if  they  are  suffered  to  break 
out,  it  will  be  putting  the  day  further  off ; and,  perhaps,  the  separation 
may  not  be  effected  without  bloodshed.  This,  I am  sm-e,  neither  you  nor 
any  other  man  capable  of  reflection,  would  wish  to  see  brought  about, 
if  it  can  be  evaded  by  justifiable  means. 

You  may  rely  upon  it  that  my  sentiments  are  clearly  in  favour  of  a 
separation,  whenever  the  people  to  be  separated  think  themselves  of 
sufficient  strength  and  abilities  to  support  a government.  This  separa- 
tion to  be  established  upon  reasonable,  honourable,  equitable  and  just 
principles,  reciprocally  so  to  those  who  will  still  continue  the  old  go- 
vernment, as  well  as  those  who  are  to  form  the  new.  My  ideas  are  that 


364 


GENERAL  SHELBY  ADVISES  ENERGETIC  MEASURES. 


nature,  in  this  formation  of  the  hills  between  us,  and  directing  the 
courses  of  waters  so  differently,  had  not  in  view  the  inhabitants  on 
either  side  being  longer  subject  to  the  same  laws  and  government ; that 
it  might  be  convenient  for  them,  as  she  has  liberally  bestowed  on  the 
minds  of  thinking  men  wishes  to  enjoy  and  obtain  for  themselves,  and 
others  in  their  circumstances,  equal  benefits,  privileges  and  immunities 
with  the  rest  of  mankind. 

I conclude,  by  recommending  unanimity  among  you,  as  the  only 
means  by  which  your  government  ever  can  obtain  energy,  even  when 
the  separation  is  effected  by  consent  of  North-Carolina. 

General  Shelby,  the  other  diplomatist,  proposed,  in  the 
meanwhile,  to  the  government  he  represented,  the  adoption 
of  more  energetic  and  efficient  measures. 

Sullivan  County,  May  4th,  1*787. 

Sir : — The  27th  of  April  past,  I called  the  colonels  (viz  : Tipton, 
Maxwell  and  Hutchings)  of  Washington,  Sullivan  and  Hawkins  coun- 
ties, in  order  to  consult  on  some  measures  which  might  be  most  salutary 
for  the  safety  of  this  country  at  the  present  time.  The  gentlemen  met, 
accordingly,  at  my  house,  and  several  gave  it  as  their  opinion  that  I 
should  address  government  in  the  following  manner  : As  the  safety  and 
well  being  of  government  are  now  at  hazard,  and  the  liberties  and  pro- 
perties of  the  good  citizens  thereof  wrested  from  them  by  parties  of  fac- 
tion, notwithstanding  the  lenient  and  conciliatory  measures  of  the 
General  Assembly,  by  a call  of  the  commanding  officers  of  the  several 
counties,  and  sundry  complaints  from  individuals  and  the  enclosed  copies 
of  letters,  it  was  thought  proper  to  advise  with  your  Excellency  on  the 
occasion,  and  send  a just  statement  of  the  proceedings.  The  Assembly 
of  Franklin  being  called,  have  passed  and  ratified  the  following  acts  : 
They  have  opened  an  office  for  the  lands  reserved  for  the  Indians,  from 
French  Broad  River  to  the  Tennessee  River  ; also,  an  act  fining  and  im- 
prisoning any  person  who  shall  dare  act  under  the  authority  of  the  St^te 
of  North-Carolina,  under  which  act  they  proceed' with  the  greatest  rig- 
our, beating  and  imprisoning,  and  seizing  the  property  by  men  in  arms. 
By  a third  act,  in  order  to  complete  their  designs  and  draw  a party  to  their 
interest,  they  have  laid  their  taxes  one  shilling  the  poll  and  sixpence 
per  hundred  acres  of  land,  after  the  collection  of  which  they  give  three 
years  tax  free.  These  methods,  with  many  others,  such  as  appointing 
officers  to  carry  into  execution  their  treasonable  acts  and  designs,  a total 
subversion  of  all  laws  and  good  government,  even  every  sense  of  civiliza- 
tion, are  lost  among  them.  I have,  therefore,  thought  it  expedient  to 
call  upon  you  for  your  immediate  assistance,  having  the  faith  and  honour 
of  the  Legislature  of  North-Carolina  pledged  to  us,  that  we  shall  remain- 
secure  in  our  liberties  and  properties.  The  matter  is  truly  alarming,  and  it 
is  beyond  a doubt  with  me  that  hostilities  will  in  a short  time  commence, 
and  without  the  interference  of  government  without  delay,  an  effusion  of 
blood  must  take  place.  I,  therefore,  think  it  highly  necessary  that  one 
thousand  troops,  at  least,  be  sent,  as  that  number  might  have  a good 
effect ; for  should  we  have  that  number  under  the  sanction  of  govern- 


COLONELS  HUTCHINGS  AND  BLEDSOE’S  LETTERS. 


3G5 


ment,  there  is  no  doubt  with  me  they  would  immediately  give  way, 
and  would  not  appear  in  so  unprovoked  an  insurrection.  On  the  con- 
trary, should  a faint  and  feeble  resistance  be  made,  the  consequence 
might  be  very  fatal,  and  would  tend  to  devastation,  ruin  and  distress. 
Should  your  Excellency  think  it  convenient  to  call  on  the  commonwealth 
of  Virginia,  I have  reasons  to  believe  we  might  meet  with  their  aid,  as 
they  have  four  counties  yearly  bordering  on  us,  and  would  be  the  most 
speedy  assistance  we  could  come  at,  in  case  your  troops  do  not  reach  us 
in  time  to  relieve  us.  I think  it  highly  necessary  that  a quantity  of 
ammunition  be  forwarded  to  us,  as  it  is  very  scarce  in  this  country.  Thus, 
sir,  you  have  before  you  the  result  of  my  conference  with  the  aforemen- 
tioned colonels;  it  is  plain  where  the  measure  therein  advised,  if  adopted, 
will  end.  The  matter  is  entirely  referred  to  government,  and  I hope 
something  may  be  done  and  some  measure  adopted,  to  put-  a final  eDd 
to  the  present  unhappy  disturbances.  The  officers  in  Greene  county 
have  all  engaged  in  the  new  state  affair,  and  have,  therefore,  refused  to 
receive  their  commissions.  There  is  scarcely  any  money  in  the  country. 
I have  been  obliged  to  fit  out  this  express  with  horse  and  cash  to  bear 
him  down.  It  is  to  be  expected  your  Excellency  will  procure  some  money 
to  bear  his  expenses  home  again.  Your  Excellency  will  perceive,  by 
comparing  the  enclosed  in  my  last  letter  with  this,  that  the  people  of 
Franklin  have  not  assented  to  the  agreement  which  was  entered  into 
with  their  governor,  for  the  preservation  of  peace  and  good  order  in  this 
country.  Not  many  men  are  here  engaged  in  vindicating  the  authority  of 
North-Carolina.  They  have  hitherto  behaved  with  that  coolness  and 
prudence  which  ever  ought  to  characterize  good  subjects,  assured  of 
their  safety  under  the  government  they  are  in ; at  the  same  time,  con- 
vinced that  allegiance  and  protection  are  reciprocal,  they  expect  to  enjoy 
the  one  as  they  have  yielded  the  other. 

Among  the  papers  enclosed  by  General  Shelby  to  the 
Governor  of  North-Carolina,  was  a letter  to  himself  from 
Col.  Hutchings,  of  Hawkins  county,  of  April  22d,  in  which, 
speaking  of  the  officers  of  the  new  state,  he  says : 

They  have,  among  them,  a Major  Elholm,  from  Georgia,  who,  I am 
informed,  is  a great  advocate  for  their  cause  ; also,  a Major  Jones,  who 
fled  from  Virginia.  They  advise  Cromwell’s  policy  to  be  adopted,  Mr. 
Cocke  threatening  confiscation  and  banishment.  That  the  gentle- 
men have  not  been  very  candid,  this  Major  Donelson  will  give  you  a 
further  account  of.  Cocke’s  party  are  getting  very  insolent.  I expect, 
in  a few  days,  I shall  be  obliged  to  try  his  boasted  number.  I am  ma- 
king the  necessary  preparations,  and  cannot  doubt  success  if  they  have 
not ^assistance  from  Greene  county.  I have  more  than  five  their  number 
in  Jdawkins. 

Col.  Anthony  Bledsoe,  at  the  time  a citizen  of  Davidson 
county,  and  of  great  personal  influence  and  weight  of  cha- 
racter, aided,  by  his  presence  in  the  disaffected  counties,  in 


366 


GOVERNOR  CASWELL  DISSUADES  FROM  VIOLENCE, 


keeping  down  any  violence  or  outbreak.  He  seconded  the 
views  of  General  Shelby,  without  being  so  specific  as  to  the 
“decided  part  ” he  wished  the  government  of  North-Caro- 
lina  to  act.  His  letter  follows  : 

Sullivan  County,  May  4th,  1787. 

Dear  Sir : — When  I last  addressed  your  Excellency,  I little  expected 
to  have  dated  a second  from  the  same  place.  I have  stayed  long  enough  in 
this  part  of  the  country  to  see  the  appearance  of  the  long-dreaded  con- 
fusion— long  enough  to  see  and  hear  the  measures  of  the  last  session 
of  the  General  Assembly  treated  with  the  greatest  contempt.  I have 
always  been  of  opinion  that,  without  the  greatest  prudence,  it  was  to 
end  in  blood,  and  am  now  further  convinced  that,  without  government 
acts  a decided  part,  hostilities  will  shortly  commence.  Might  I be  per- 
mitted to  request  your  Excellency’s  addressing  these  people,  and  advi- 
sing them  of  the  necessity  and  advantage  of  returning  to  their  duty  once 
more,  and  the  danger  and  evil  consequences  of  their  persisting  in  the 
attempt  of  their  supporting  an  independence  ? I do  assure  your  Excel- 
lency, that  it  is  my  opinion,  your  address  on  that  occasion  would  have  a 
very  good  effect  on  the  principal  people  in  the  revolted  party.  I judge 
this  will  accompany  a letter  from  General  Shelby  addressed  particularly 
on  this  subject. 

To  his  suggestions  of  maintaining  the  authority  of  North- 
Carolina  by  an  armed  force,  Governor  Caswell  replies  to 
General  Shelby,  under  date, 

Kinston,  May  21st,  1787. 

Sir: — Your  letter  of  the  4th  current,  came  to  my  hands  the  19th.  I 
stated  the  situation  of  your  country  to  the  Council,  and  laid  your  letter 
and  every  other  information  I possessed  respecting  the  same,  before 
them  for  advice  ; the  result  of  their  deliberations,  I have  the  honour  of 
enclosing  you  a copy  of ; they  may  not  answer  your  expectations,  but  I 
hope  will  prove  satisfactory,  when  I inform  you  upon  what  principles 
they  acted. 

They  think  it  would  be  very  imprudent  to  add  to  the  dissatisfaction  of 
the  people  there,  by  showing  a wish  to  encourage  the  shedding  of  blood, 
as  thereby,  a civil  war  would  be  eventually  brought  on,  which  ought  at  all 
times  to  be  avoided,  if  possible ; but  more  especially  at  the  present,  as 
we  have  great  reason  to  apprehend  a general  Indian  war.  If  the 
northern  and  southern  tribes  should  unite  with  your  Cherokee  neigh- 
bours, you  will  stand  in  need,  they  think,  of  all  your  force ; and  there- 
fore recommend  unanimity  amongst  you,  if  it  can  by  any  means  be 
effected  ; as  you  thereby  will  be  much  more  able  to  defend  yourselves, 
than  you  possibly  can  be  when  divided;  let  alone  the  circumstances  of 
cutting  each  other’s  throats.  Besides  these,  it  would  be  impracticable  to 
raise  an  armed  force  here,  to  be  sent  to  your  assistance  at  this  time,  if 
we  were  ever  so  much  disposed  thereto,  for  the  following  reasons : The 
people  in  general,  are  now  engaged  in  their  farming  business,  and  if 
brought  out,  would  very  reluctantly  march  ; there  is  no  money  in  the 


AND  ADDRESSES  THE  MALCONTENTS. 


36? 


treasury  to  defray  the  expenses  of  such  as  might  be  called  out ; nor,  in 
fact,  have  we  arms  or  ammunition ; that,  under  such  circumstances,  it 
would  be  necessary  to  attempt  it. 

I must,  therefore,  recommend  to  you,  the  using  every  means  in  your 
power  to  conciliate  the  minds  of  the  people,  as  well  as  those  who  call 
themselves  Franklinites,  as  the  friends  and  supporters  of  government. 
If  things  could  be  dormant,  as  it  were,  till  the  next-  Assembly,  and  each 
man’s  mind  be  employed  in  considering  your  common  defence  against 
the  savage  enemy,  I should  suppose  it  best,  and  wherever  unanimity 
prevails  among  your  people,  and  their  strength  and  numbers  will  jus- 
tify, an  application  for  a separation  ; if  it  is  general,  I have  no  doubt 
of  its  taking  place  upon  reciprocal  and  friendly  terms. 

I have  written  a letter  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  counties  of  Washing- 
ton, Sullivan,  Greene  and  Hawkins,  stating  matters  in  such  a point  of 
view,  as  the  opinion  of  the  Council ; a copy  of  which  I have  the  honour 
to  enclose  you.  Your  express  also  carries  a letter  for  the  commanding 
officer  of  each  of  the  counties,  which  you  will  be  pleased  to  forward 
to  them. 

Accompanying  this  letter,  Governor  Caswell  also  for- 
warded, through  General  Shelly,  the  following  address  : 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  the  counties  of  Washington,  Sullivan,  Greene  and 

Hawkins : 

Friends  and  Fellow- Citizens: — I have  received  information  that  the 
former  contention  between  the  citizens  of  those  counties,  respecting  the 
severing  such  counties  from  this  state,  and  erecting  them  into  a separate, 
free,  and  independent  government,  hath  been  again  raised,  notwith- 
standing the  lenient  and  salutary  measures  held  out  to  them  by  the 
General  Assembly  in  their  last  session ; and  some  have  been  so  far  mis- 
led, as  openly  and  avowedly  to  oppose  the  due  operation  and 
execution  of  the  laws  of  the  state,  menacing  such  as  should  ad- 
here to  the  same,  with  violence ; and  some  outrages  on  such  occasions, 
have  been  actually  committed,  whereby  sundry  of  the  good  citizens  of 
the  said  counties  have  been  induced  to  signify  to  government  their  ap- 
prehension of  being  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  arms,  in  order  to  sup- 
port the  laws  and  constitution  of  this  state.  And  notwithstanding  the 
behaviour  of  some  of  the  refractory  might  justify  such  a measure,  yet 
I am  willing  to  hope,  that  upon  reflection  and  due  consideration  of  the 
consequences  which  must  ensue  in  case  of  the  shedding  of  blood  among 
yourselves,  a moment’s  thought  must  evince  the  necessity  of  mutual 
friendship  and  the  ties  of  brotherly  love  being  strongly  cemented  among 
you.  You  have,  or  shortly  will  have,  if  my  information  is  well-grounded, 
enemies  to  deal  with,  which  will  require  this  cement  to  be  more  strong 
than  ever ; your  whole  force  may  become  necessary  to  be  exerted  against 
the  common  enemy,  as  it  is  more  than  probable  they  may  be  assisted 
by  the  subjects  of  some  foreign  power  ; if  not  publicly,  they  will  fur- 
nish arms  and  ammunition  privately  to  the  Indian  tribes,  to  be  made  use  of 
against  you ; and  when  your  neighbours  are  so  supported  and  assisted 


368 


POPULAR  DISCONTENT  APPEASED. 


by  the  northern  and  southern  Indians,  if  you  should  be  so  unhappy 
as  to  be  divided  among  yourselves,  what  may  you  not  then  apprehend 
and  dread  ? Let  me  entreat  you  to  lay  aside  your  party  disputes  ; they 
have  been,  as  I conceive  and  yet  believe  will  be,  if  continued,  of  very 
great  disadvantage  to  your  public  as  well  as  private  concerns.  Whilst 
these  disputes  last,  government  will  want  that  energy  which  is  neces- 
sary to  support  her'  laws  and  civilize ; in  place  of  which,  anarchy  and 
confusion  will  be  prevalent,  and,  of  course,  private  interest  must  suffer. 

It  certainly  would  be  sound  policy  in  you,  for  other  reasons,  to  unite. 
The  General  Assembly  have  told  you,  whenever  your  wealth  and  num- 
bers so  much  increase  as  to  make  a separation  necessary,  they  will  be 
willing  the  same  shall  take  place  upon  friendly  and  reciprocal  terms.  Is 
there  an  individual  in  your  country  who  does  not  look  forward,  in  expec- 
tation, of  such  a day’s  arriving  ? If  that  is  the  case,  must  not  every 
thinking  man  believe,  that  this  separation  will  be  soonest  and  most 
effectually  obtained  by  unanimity  ? Let  that  carry  you  to  the  quiet 
submission  to  the  laws  of  North-Carolina,  till  your  numbers  will  justify 
a general  application;  and  then,  I have  no  doubt,  but  the  same  maybe 
obtained  upon  the  principles  held  out  by  the  Assembly ; nay,  it  is  my 
opinion  that  it  may  be  obtained  at  an  earlier  day  than  some  imagine,  if 
unanimity  prevailed  amongst  you. 

Although  this  is  an  official  letter,  you  will  readily  see  that  it  is  dicta- 
ted by  a friendly  and  pacific  mind.  Don’t  neglect  my  advice  on  that 
account ; if  you  do,  you  may  repent  it  when  it  is  too  late  ; when  the 
blood  of  some  of  your  dearest  and  worthiest  citizens  may  have  been 
spilt,  and  your  country  laid  waste  in  an  unnatural  and  cruel  civil  war  ; 
and  you  cannot  suppose  if  such  an  event  should  take  place,  that  go- 
vernment will  supinely  look  on,  and  see  you  cutting  each  other’s  throats, 
without  interfering,  and  exerting  her  powers  to  reduce  the  disobedient. 
I will  conclude  by  once  more  entreating  you  to  consider  the  dreadful 
calamities  and  consequences  of  a civil  war.  Humanity  demands  this  of 
me  ; your  own  good  sense  will  point  out  the  propriety  of  it;  at  least, 
let  all  animosities  and  disputes  subside  till  the  next  Assembly ; even  let 
things  remain  as  they  are,  without  pursuing  compulsory  measures  until 
then,  and  I flatter  myself  that  honourable  body  will  be  disposed  to  do 
what  is  just  and  right,  and  what  sound  policy  may  dictate. 

Nothing  yet  had  occurred  in  the  transactions  between 
Franklin  and  North-Carolina  so  well  calculated  to  heal  the 
breach,  and  effect  a reconciliation  between  them,  as  this 
letter  of  Gov.  Caswell,  and  the  action  of  the  North-Carolina 
Legislature  communicated  in  it.  The  origin  and  cause  of 
the  separation,  at  the  time  it  occurred,  was  the  Cession  Act. 
That  had  been  repealed.  The  great  object  of  the  secessionists 
now,  was  independence  of  North-Carolina,  so  as  to  avoid  a 
re-enactment  of  the  repealed  law.  The  apprehension  of 
that  objectionable  and  inadmissable  policy  was  removed  in 


SETTLEMENTS  SOUTH  OF  FRENCH  BROAD. 


369 


the  minds  of  some  of  the  earliest  and  most  steadfast  friends 
of  Franklin  by  the  assurances  of  the  Governor  and  Legisla- 
ture of  North-Carolina,  that,  at  the  proper  time,  a new  state 
should  be  formed,  and  their  cherished  wishes  for  indepen- 
dence should  be  gratified,  if  the  malcontents  would  return 
to  their  allegiance.  The  argument  was  forcible — to  many 
perfectly  satisfactory  and  irresistible.  It  inflicted  a vital 
stab  upon  the  new  government,  which,  within  the  next  year, 
caused  its  dissolution. 

PROGRESS  OF  THE  SETTLEMENTS  SOUTH  OF  FRENCH  BROAD. 

The  Irish  Bottom  began  to  be  settled.  George  McNutt 

was  one  of  the  earliest  emigrants.  His  daughter, , 

afterwards  the  wife  of  Col. McFarland,  and  still  living: 

in  Jefferson  county,  was  the  first  white  child  born  south  of 
French  Broad.  Nancy  Rogers,  daughter  of  Jonah  Rogers 
was  the  second. 

After  the  treaty  of  Dumplin,  great  facilities  existed  for 

g i occupying  the  country  acquired  under  it,  south  of 

l French  Broad  and  Holston,  and  the  stream  of  emi- 
gration was  principally  directed  in  that  channel.  From 
Henry’s  Station,  at  the  mouth  of  Dumplin,  the  emigrants 
crossed  the  river,  settling  along  Boyd’s  Creek  Valley,  where 
McGaughy’s,  Newell’s  and  other  stations  were  formed. 
They  soon  crossed  the  ridge  dividing  that  stream  from  Elijah, 
and  formed  a station,  McTeer’s,  still  in  the  occupancy  of  a 
descendant  of  the  same  name,  William  McTeer,  Esq.  It 
soon  became  the  nucleus  of  an  excellent  neighbourhood  of 
intelligent,  worthy  and  patriotic  citizens — emigrants  princi- 
pally from  the  valley  of  Virginia,  who  brought  with,  and 
diffused  around  them,  republicanism,  religion,  intelligence 
and  thrift.  They  were,  for  several  years,  annoyed  and  ha- 
rassed by  Cherokee  incursions.  The  proximity  of  their  set- 
tlement to  the  fastnesses  of  the  adjoining  mountains,  made  it 
necessary,  constantly,  to  guard  their  frontier.  While  one 
worked  in  the  field,  another  acted  as  a scout  or  a sentinel. 
They  were  often  driven  into  stations,  and  twice  had  to  leave 
their  farms  and  cabins,  and  fall  back,  for  a short  time,  upon 
the  older  settlements.  But  gaining,  year  after  year,  addition- 
al strength  by  new  emigrations,  they  gradually  extended  the 


370 


STATIONS  IN  SEVIER  AND  BLOUNT  COUNTIES. 


settlements  down  the  valley  of  Elijah  and  NailPs  Creek. 
Henry’s,  McTeer’s,  McCullock’s,  Gillespie’s,  Craig’s,  Kelley’s, 
Houston’s,  Black’s,  Hunter’s,  Bartlett’s,  Kirk’s,  Ish’s,  and  oth- 
ers, were,  soon  after,  the  neuclei  of  settlements.  During  the 
formation  and  defence  of  all  these  stations,  a volume  would 
not  contain  the  instances  of  Indian  outrage  and  aggression 
perpetrated  against  the  property  and  lives  of  the  inhabitants, 
nor  the  heroic  and  soldierly  conduct  of  the  brave  frontier- 
men,  in  protecting  themselves,  repelling  invasion,  pursuing 
and  chastising  the  savages,  inflicting  a just  retaliation  with 
vengeful  severity  upon  the  cruel  Cherokees,  in  their  distant 
villages  and  the  seclusions  of  the  mountains.  Boys  became 
men — women  turned  soldiers — assisting  in  defence  of  the 
family  and  the  home.  Vigilance  and  heroism,  and  fearless- 
ness and  energy,  characterized  the  entire  population.  Could 
a diagram  be  drawn,  accurately  designating  every  spot  sig- 
nalized by  an  Indian  massacre,  surprise  or  depredation,  or 
courageous  attack,  defence,  pursuit  or  victory  by  the  whites, 
or  station,  or  fort,  or  battle-field,  or  personal  encounter,  the 
whole  of  that  section  of  country  would  be  studded  over  by 
delineations  of  such  incidents.  Every  spring,  every  ford, 
every  path,  every  farm,  every  trail,  every  house,  nearly,  in 
its  first  settlement,  was  once  the  scene  of  danger,  exposure, 
attack,  exploit,  achievement,  death.  Some  of  these  are 
given  in  their  chronological  order,  elsewhere.  A few  other 
instances,  culled  from  the  whole,  are  here  given  : Houston’s 

Station  stood  about  six  miles  from  Maryville,  where  Mr. 
Minnis  has  since  lived.  It  was  occupied  by  the  families  of 
James  Houston,  McConnell,  McEwen,  Sloane  and  Henry. 
It  was  attacked  by  a party  of  Indians,  one  hundred  in  num- 
ber. They  had,  the  day  before,  pursued  the  survivors  of  the 
Citico  massacre,  in  the  direction  of  Knoxville,  many  of 
whom  they  had  killed.  Elated  with  their  preceding  suc- 
cesses, they  determined,  on  their  return,  to  take  and  murder 
the  feeble  garrison  at  Houston’s.  A vigorous  assault  was 
made  upon  it.  Hugh  Barry,  in  looking  over  the  bastion, 
incautiously  exposed  his  head  to  the  aim  of  an  Indian  rifle. 
He  fell,  within  the  station,  fatally  wounded,  having  received 
a bullet  in  his  forehead.  The  Indians  were  emboldened  by 
this  success,  and  prolonged  the  conflict  more  than  half  an 


HEROISM  OF  MRS.  M’EWEN. 


371 


hour.  The  garrison  had  some  of  the  best  riflemen  in  the 
country  within  it,  and,  observing  the  number  and  activity  of 
the  assailants,  they  loaded  and  discharged  their  guns  with  all 
possible  rapidity.  The  women  assisted  them  as  far  as  they 
were  able.  One  of  them,  Mrs.  McEwen,  mother  of  R.  H. 
McEwen,  Esq.,  of  Nashville,  and  since  the  wife  of  the 
Senior  S.  Doak,  D.D.,  displayed  great  equanimity  and  hero- 
ism. She  inquired  for  the  bullet  moulds,  and  was  engaged, 
busily,  in  melting  the  lead  and  running  bullets  for  different 
guns.  A bullet  from  without,  passing  through  the  inter- 
stice between  two  logs  of  the  station,  struck  the  wall  near 
her,  and  rebounding,  rolled  upon  the  floor.  Snatching  it 
up,  and  melting  and  moulding  it  quickly,  she  carried  it  to 
her  husband  and  said : “ Here  is  a ball  run  out  of  the  In- 

dians’ lead ; send  it  back  to  them  as  quick  as  possible.  It  is 
their  own  ; let  them  have  it  in  welcome.” 

Simultaneously  with  the  extension  of  the  settlement  of  the 
country  south  of  French  Broad,  after  the  Franklin  Treaty 
at  Dumplin,  was  its  expansion  north  of  that  stream  and  on 
Holston.  Adam  Meek  made  the  first  settlement  on  the  head 
of  Beaver  Creek,  at  the  place  in  the  Quaker  Valley  now 
owned  by  John  Bales,  Sen.  Mr.  Meek  had  no  neighbour 
west  of  him,  and  so  sparse  were  the  settlers  on  the  east,  that 
at  first  he  procured  meal  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Greene- 
ville. 

Mr.  Meek  was  a surveyor,  an  emigrant  from  Mecklenburg 
county,  N.  C.,  and  had,  as  early  as  1785,  explored  the  coun- 
try and  made  surveys  on  the  frontier.  Like  most  other  pio- 
neers, Mr.  Meek  built  his  first  cabin  of  round  poles.  This 
he  covered  with  bark  and  grass,  which,  for  the  first  year, 
sheltered  his  family.  During  the  Indian  alarms,  the  family 
frequently  retired,  at  evening,  to  a deep  sink,  three-quarters 
of  a mile  from  their  cabin,  and  there  spent  the  night.  A fort 
or  station  was,  at  a later  period,  formed  at  the  Strawberry 
Plains,  now  the  residence  of  Rev.  Thomas  String-field.  In 
this  station  the  settlers  collected  together  for  mutual  protec- 
tion and  defence.  It  soon  became  the  centre  of  an  enter- 
prising, respectable  and  intelligent  population,  and  there  is 
still,  one  of  the  most  flourishing  and  enlightened  neighbour- 


372 


gillaim’s  station  erected. 


hoods  in  the  country — distinguished  for  its  Institutions  of 
learning,  its  churches,  its  thrift  and  general  prosperity. 

Lands  had  been  entered  and  surveyed,  and  grants  issued 
for  them,  in  what  is  now  Knox  and  Grainger  counties.  The 
current  of  population  followed  the  vallies,  and  here  and 
there  along  the  valley  south  of  Clinch  Mountain,  could  be 
seen  springing  up  in  the  forests,  at  the  head  of  Flat  Creek, 
Bull  Run  and  Beaver  Creek,  the  humble  cabin  of  the  back- 
woodsman. In  the  fork  between  Holston  and  French  Broad, 
new  settlers  began  their  clearings.  Henry’s  Station,  at 
Dumplin,  ceased  to  be  the  last  post  north  of  the  river.  A 
little  colony  from  it  crossed  Bay’s  Mountain,  and  formed 
what  was  known  as  Greene’s,  afterwards  Manifold’s,  Station.. 
Near  it,  Gibson,  Beard,  Bowman  and  Cozby  settled,  and  with 
them  came  James  White,  afterwards  the  proprietor  of  Knox- 
ville. He  first  pitched  his  tent  four  miles  above  the  mouth 
of  French  Broad,  and  on  its  north  bank,  near  the  present 
residence  of  John  Campbell,  Esq.  His  early  compatriots, 
Greene  and  Cozby,  settled  soon  after  near  him,  but  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river.  Captain  Thomas  Gillespie  set- 
tled three  miles  below,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  The 
ruins  of  his  house  are  still  seen.  It  stood  near  the  present 
residence  of  Mr.  James  Hufacre.  A little  later  came  Jere- 
miah Jack,  Esq.,  and  settled  the  second  plantation  above  the 
mouth  of  French  Broad. 

Robert  Armstrong  planted  corn  and  raised  a crop,  this 
1787  $ year,  on  the  plantation  which,  next  year,  he  settled 
l on  Holston,  a little  above  the  mouth  of  Swan  Pond 
Creek.  Mr.  Devereaux  Gillaim,  at  the  same  time,  occupied 
the  plantation  embracing  the  point  between  French  Broad 
and  Holston.  His  first  cabin  stood  east  of  the  dwelling  house 
of  the  present  proprietor,  between  it  and  the  church. 

Archibald  Rhea,  Sen.,  settled  immediately  opposite,  on  the 
south  bank  of  French  Broad.  Alexander  McMillan  settled 
the  place  now  occupied  by  Rev.  Thomas  Stringfield,  then,  as 
now,  known  as  Strawberry  Plains,  and  soon  after  removed 
to  the  farm  on  which  he  died,  four  miles  above  Armstrong’s 
Ferry,  on  the  present  New  Market  Road. 

The  settlements  between  the  rivers  were  less  annoyed  by 


mes.  Gillespie’s  presence  of  mind. 


373 


the  Indians,  than  those  south  or  north  of  them.  Almost  in- 
sulated by  the  rivers,  the  intervention  of  these  large  streams 
furnished  to  the  inhabitants  some  immunity  from  invasion. 
On  one  occasion,  however,  some  armed  warriors  crossed  the 
river,  and  presented  themselves  at  the  door  of  Captain  Gil- 
lespie’s cabin.  The  captain  had,  the  day  before,  been  clear- 
ing in  the  island  and  burning  brush,  and  the  fires  were  still 
burning  there,  in  view  of  the  house.  He  had  left  home 
early  that  morning,  on  his  way  to  Dumplin,  twelve  miles  off. 
The  Indians,  finding  Mrs.  Gillespie  unprotected,  entered  the 
house,  and  one  of  them  taking  out  a scalping  knife,  drew  it 
across  his  bare  arm,  as  if  sharpening  it  He  then  went  to  a 
cradle,  in  which  an  infant  lay  asleep,  and  indicated  with  his 
finger  a line  around  its  head,  along  which  he  intended  to 
apply  the  knife  in  scalping  it.  The  other  Indians  looked  on 
with  savage  ferocity.  The  heroic  mother,  with  surprising 
presence  of  mind,  sprang  to  the  door,  and,  looking  in  the 
direction  of  the  clearing,  exclaimed,  in  a loud  voice,  “ White 
men,  come  home ! come  home,  white  men  ! Indians  ! Indians!” 
The  warriors,  disconcerted  by  her  well  contrived  stratagem 
and  her  well  timed  equanimity,  precipitately  left  the  house* 
dashed  down  the  hill  towards  the  spring,  and  disappeared  in 
the  cane-brake.  Mrs.  G.  bearing  her  child  in  her  arms,  es- 
caped in  the  opposite  direction,  and  in  sight  of  the  path 
along  which  her  husband  would  return.  She  had  gone 
several  miles  in  anxious  apprehension  of  the  murderous  pursuit 
of  the  warriors,  when  she  met  the  captain.  He  guessed  the 
cause  of  their  unexpected  meeting,  took  the  mother  and 
the  child  upon  his  horse,  carried  them  hastily  back  to  Mani- 
fold’s ; leaving  them  there,  he  reinforced  himself  with  three 
men,  and  returned  in  haste  to  his  house.  The  savages  had 
plundered  it  of  its  contents,  and  while  some  were  carrying 
off  the  spoils,  one  was  busily  engaged  in  setting  fire  to  the 
house.  He  was  fired  upon  by  Captain  G.,  who  had  outrode 
the  other  horsemen,  and  shot  without  dismounting.  The  In- 
dian was  partly  obscured  by  the  smoke  of  the  fire  he  was 
kindling,  and  escaped.  The  ether  men  came  up,  the  property 
was  recaptured  and  the  Indians  were  driven  across  the  river. 
Two  of  them  were  wounded  in  crossing,  at  the  mouth  of 
Burnett’s  branch.  It  was  believed  that  the  Indians  came  to 


374  WHITE  AND  CONNER  SETTLE  THE  FUTURE  KNOXVILLE. 

steal  rather  than  to  murder ; indeed,  this  neighbourhood 
suffered  more  by  having  their  horses  stolen,  than  by  any  other 
form  of  Indian  aggression.  On  one  occasion  only,  is  it  re- 
collected that  the  people  generally  went  into  a station.  A 
sudden  invasion  of  Little  River  settlement  produced  an  alarm, 
and  the  settlers  temporarily  forted  at  Gillaim’s ; the  alarm 
subsided,  and  the  people  returned  to  their  plantations. 

The  population  accumulated  rapidly  ; being  accessible  by 
the  two  rivers,  the  neighbourhood  received  many  families 
from  the  upper  counties  in  boats  and  canoes.  Amongst  these 
were  James  Anderson,  Moses  Brooks  and  George  McNutt, 
Esq.,  who  removed  from  Chucky  and  settled  on  the  north 
side  of  Holston,  above  Knoxville.  James  White,  the  year 
before,  had  moved  from  his  first  cabin  in  the  Fork,  and  settled 
on  what  is  since  White’s  Creek.  With  Captain  White,  came 
his  old  neighbour  from  Iredell  county,  North-Carolina,  and 
comrade  in  arms,  James  Conner,  the  worthy  ancestor  of  H. 
W.  Conner,  Esq.,  of  Charleston,  South-Carolina.  These 
two  were  the  first  to  disturb  the  virgin  soil,  on  which  the 
future  Knoxville  was  to  be  built.  Tradition  says,  that  the 
lot  on  which  the  First  Presbyterian  church  now  stands,  v/as 
the  place  first  cleared  b}^  them.  Pounded  corn  was  the  only 
bread  the  first  settlers  used.  Their  rifles,  which  had  been 
used  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  procured  them  meat. 
Their  cabin  stood  half  a mile  from  the  mouth  of  the  creek, 
and  on  its  west  side,  north  of  Mrs.  Kennedy’s  orchard.  This 
cabin  afterwards  constituted  one  corner  of  White’s  Fort ; 
Captain  Crawford  and  others  forted  in  it  with  him.  A quad- 
rangular plat  of  ground,  containing  a quarter  of  an  acre, 
was  chosen,  on  each  corner  of  which  was  a strong  cabin, 
but  of  less  imposing  appearance  than  Mr.  White’s,  which 
was  two  stories  high.  Between  these  corners,  stockades 
were  placed  eight  feet  high,  impenetrable  to  small  arms, 
and  having  port-holes  at  convenient  height  and  distance. 
A massive  gate  opened  in  the  direction  of  the  spring*. 
White’s  Fort  became  the  central  point  for  emigrants,  and 
the  rendezvous  for  rangers  and  scouts.  They  were  charmed 
with  its  beauties.  In  their  short  rambles  around  their  en- 
campment, they  noticed  an  elevated  parallelogram,  extend- 
ing south,  and  terminating  with  a bold  front  upon  the  Holston. 


THE  RURAL  BEAUTY  OF  ITS  ENVIRONS. 


375 


A creek  of  considerable  size  glided  along  its  eastern,  and 
another  along  its  western  base,  from  the  banks  of  which 
gushed  forth,  in  close  proximity,  fountains  of  excellent  water. 
It  was  noticed  that  the  two  streams  furnished  several  eligi- 
ble sites  for  water  power.  The  highest  point  of  land  between 
them,  seemed  designed  by  nature  for  a barrack  or  garrison. 
As  then  seen,  the  site  of  the  future  Knoxville  was  lovely  in 
the  extreme — almost  entirely  sheltered  by  the  primitive  forest, 
in  its  rich  foliage,  and  having  an  air  of  enchanting  coolness 
and  rural  retirement  and  seclusion  — its  quiet  disturbed 
only  by  the  playful  murmurings  of  rivulets,  formed  by  the 
several  springs,  and  winding  through  their  grassy  bordersjn 
stillness  to  the  creeks.  Wooded  hills  and  sylvan  slopes  com- 
pleted the  picture  of  rural  beauty.  The  high  land  terminated 
abruptly  towards  the  Holston,  seen  here  and  there  through 
the  tall  trees,  winding  its  way  along,  the  cane-brakes 
which  lined  its  margin.  Immediately  |opposite,  was  the  Lit- 
tle Island,  robed  in  green  and  almost  ^submerged  by  the  tur- 
bid stream.  The  southern  shore  presented,  in  one  place? 
lofty  hills,  resting  upon  a perpendicular  cliff — in  another, 
rising  with  a more  gradual  ascent  to  the  ridge  beyond.  The 
whole  country  was  carpeted  with  verdure  and  clothed  with 
trees — dense  woods  surrounding  you,  with  the  solitude  and 
silence  of  nature.  These  attractions,  and  the  advantages  of 
its  position,  had  pointed  out  the  place  as  the  nucleus  of  a fu- 
ture settlement.  Mr.  White  soon  had  other  settlers  as  his 
neighbours.  John  Dearmond  settled  south  of  the  river,  near 
Col.  Church  well’s  Ferry,  and  other  emigrants  came  rapidly 
around  White’s  Fort.  A small  tub-mill  was  erected  by  him. 
The  necessity  for  it  was  so  urgent,  that  at  first  he  was  forced  to 
use  a very  inferior  stone  for  runners.  These  were  still  in 
use  at  the  time  of  the  treaty  in  1791.  Amongst  other  emi- 
grants, John  Adair  moved  this  year  to  his  late  residence  in 
Knox  county.  He  had  been  appointed  Commissary  under 
North-Carol ina,  to  furnish  provisions  for  the  Cumberland 
Guards,  and  in  the  discharge  of  that  trust,  took  his  position  on 
the  extreme  frontier.  Adair’s  Station  was  erected  at  the  same 
time  with  White’s,  about  five  miles  north  of  it.  The  country 
began  to  be  reached  by  wagons;  settlers  were  gradually  ex- 


376 


Campbell’s  station  erected. 


tending  themselves  west,  and  in  quick  succession,  Well’s,  Ben- 
nett’s, Byrd’s,  Hackett’s  and  Cavett’s  Stations,  were  formed. 
Campbell’s  Station  was  settled  by  several  emigrants  of  that 
name  from  Virginia,  survivors  of  the  gallant  regiment  which 
had  signalized  itself  at  King’s  Mountain.  Of  these  the 
principal  one  was  Col.  David  Campbell,  who  has  left  the 
savour  of  a good  name  wherever  he  was  known.  He  was 
the  ancestor  of  the  present  Governor  of  Tennessee,  who  has 
so  well  sustained  the  reputation  of  the  Volunteer  State,  in 
the  late  Mexican  War. 

At  first,  each  of  these  stations  was  a single  cabin  in  the 
midst  of  a clearing.  When  Indian  disturbances  broke  out, 
the  inhabitants  clustered  together  in  the  strongest  one  near 
them,  and  it  then  became  a Station.  They  have  all  disap- 
peared, except  Colonel  Campbell’s,  which  still  exists  as  the 
east  end  of  the  present  dwelling  house  of  Mr.  Martin. 

Jacob  Kimberlin  found  lead,  and  furnished  it  to  the  inha- 

_ ( bitants.  It  was  found  south  of  French  Broad,  not  far 
( from  Gap  Creek,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Jere 
miah  Johnson,  Esq. 

Besides  the  Counties  of  Franklin,  the  State  was  also  ar- 
ranged into  Districts.  Whether  these  were  judicial  or  mili- 
tary, this  writer  has  no  means  of  determining.  The  only 
evidence  he  has  been  able  to  procure  of  this  subdivision  of 
Franklin,  is  furnished  by  the  “ commission  ” of  one  of  its 
Colonels,  of  Elholm  District.*  The  original  is  before  the 
writer,  in  the  bold  chirography  of  Governor  Sevier.  The 
seal  of  the  state  affixed  to  it,  is  a small  wafer,  covered  with 
common  paper.  There  was,  in  all  probability,  no  other  seal 
of  state. 

Leaving  here  the  chronological  order  of  events  in  Frank- 
lin, we  pause  to  review  some  transactions  in  its  Foreign 
policy,  which  could  not  be  so  well  introduced  elsewhere. 

Georgia,  desirous  of  extending  her  settlements  to  the  rich 

*Elholm  District  was,  doubtless,  so  called  in  honour  of  Major  Elholm.  In  this 
district,  as  the  tradition  is,  was  embraced  all  the  territory  of  Franklin,  below 
Washington  county,  viz:  Greene,  Caswell  and  Sevier  counties.  Washington 
District  probably  embraced  Washington,  Sullivan,  Spencer  and  Wayne  Coun- 
ties. 


FOREIGN  AFFAIRS  OF  FRANKLIN. 


377 


interior  of  the  state,  had  established  Houston  county  in  that 
( part  of  her  territory  north  of  the  Tennessee  River, 
l and  including  the  Great  Bend  of  that  stream,  oppo- 
site the  Muscle  Shoals.  The  Commissioners  appointed  to 
organize  the  new  county,  held  an  adjourned  meeting,  July 
30,  1784. 

“Present,  Stephen  Heard,  Chairman ; J ohn  Donelson,  Joseph  Martin 
and  John  Sevier,  Esqrs. 

“The  Board  resolved  that  John  Sevier  be  appointed  to  receive  locations 
and  entries  of  lands,  and  that  William  Blount,  Esq.,  Lachlin  McIntosh, 
John  Morell,  John  Donelson,  Stephen  Heard,  William  Downs,  John  Se- 
vier, Charles  Robertson,  Joseph  Martin  and  Valentine  Sevier,  junior, 
Esqrs.,  be  appointed  justices  of  the  peace. 

“That  John  Sevier  be  recommended  as  Colonel,  John  Donelson,  Lieut. 
Colonel,  and  Valentine  Sevier,  junior,  Major.  John  Donelson,  Esq.,  was 
appointed  Surveyor,  and  Joseph  Martin,  Esq.,  recommended  as  Agent 
and  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs.  The  Entry-taker  is  requested  to 
attend  and  receive  entries  for  claims  of  land,  on  the  fifteenth  day  of 
March  next,  at  or  near  the  mouth  of  Elk  River. 

“The  Board  adjourned  to  the  15th  March  next,  and  then  to  meet  at 
the  mouth  of  Elk  River.  Stephen  Heard,  Chairman.” 

It  is  not  known  that  the  Board  ever  assembled  at  the 
mouth  of  Elk.  It  is  scarcely  probable  that  they  did  as  the 
military  expedition  which  accompanied  them,  descended  the 
Tennessee  River  no  further  than  the  point  where  it  was  in- 
tersected by  the  state  line.  The  appearances  of  the  Indians 
were  so  hostile,  the  Commissioners  remained  but  a few  days, 
and  then  withdrew. 

A further  meeting  of  the  Board  took  place  29th  July, 
1785,  when  it  was 

“ Resolved , That  the  application  be  made  to  the  Governor  and  Council 
by  William  Downs  and  Thomas  Napier,  Esquires,  Commissioners,  or 
either  of  them,  for  their  direction  and  approbation,  to  have  ten  tracts  of 
land,  containing  ten  thousand  acres  each,  to  be  laid  out  in  the  bend  of 
Tennessee,  for  public  use.” 

The  Board  met  at  Washington,  July  the  24th,  1787,  and 

“ Took  into  consideration  the  state  of  the  business,  agreeable  to  a former 
resolution  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  having  certain  accounts  from 
the  State  of  Franklin,  and  the  settlements  of  the  Cumberland  and  Ken- 
tucky, that  a number  of  people  from  the  aforesaid  settlements  are  about 
to  go  into  the  District  of  Tennessee,  to  make  settlements  thereon. 

“ Resolved , With  leave  of  the  Executive  Council,  that  the  business  of 
surveying  in  said  district,  be  immediately  put  into  execution,  agreeable 
to  a Resolve  of  the  Assembly,  of  February,  1784.” 


378 


LAW  OF  TFIE  STATE  OF  FRANKLIN. 


At  the  ensuing  session  of  the  Legislature  of  Franklin,  the 
necessary  provision  was  made  to  raise  a force  of  mounted 
riflemen,  sufficient  to  succour  Georgia  and  subdue  the  Creek 
Indians.  We  copy  the  act  of  the  Franklin  Assembly  from 
the  original  manuscript  in  the  possession  of  this  writer. 

Whereas,  it  appears  to  this  House,  from  a letter  of  the  27th  of 
August,  1786,  to  his  Excellency,  Governor  Sevier,  from  his  Honour,  the 
Governor,  Edward  Telfair,  of  the  State  of  Georgia,  with  certain  informa- 
tion that  the  Creek  Indians  had  declared  war  against  the  white  people, 
and  had  committed  several  murders  on  their  frontier  of  late  ; and  that 
in  consequence  of  which,  he  had  sent  a Peace  Talk  to  the  nation  of  In- 
dians, and  that  from  the  best  accounts  he  could  get,  they  intended  to 
make  vigorous  assaults  on  the  white  people,  as  soon  as  they  had 
gathered  their  corn  ; and  that  the  said  state  intends  to  carry  on  a vigo- 
rous campaign  against  said  Indians,  if  they  do  not  treat  with  said  state, 
and  were  to  march  by  the  first  of  November  next;  and  also  by  a letter 
from  Colonel  Joseph  Martin,  dated  the  first  of  October,  instant,  with  cer- 
tain accounts  that  the  Creek  Indians  were  laying  in  a large  quantity  of 
powder,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  the  war,  which  was  furnished  by 
the  Spaniards ; and  that  they  had  spies  in  all  the  Cherokee  towns,  and 
on  our  frontiers,  and  were  making  every  preparation  for  war  ; and  have 
had  also  information  from  the  Cherokee  Indians,  that  the  Creeks  intended 
attacking  our  frontier,  and  were  making  outrageous  threats  against  us 
daily.  And  whereas,  it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of  the  inhabitants  of 
this  state  to  guard  against  all  dangers,  and  the  Confederation  directs  and 
empowers  each  state  to  defend  itself  against  any  enemy. 

Be  it  therefore  Resolved  by  this  General  Assembly,  That  each  county 
in  this  state,  raise  one-fourth  of  the  militia  of  each  county,  who  are  here- 
by required  to  bold  themselves  in  readiness,  to  march  on  horse  to  the 
frontiers  of  this  state,  at  the  shortest  notice,  to  defend  their  own  state,  in 
case  there  should  be  any  attacks  made  on  it  by  any  enemy,  or  nation  of 
Indians,  when  attacked  by  the  State  of  Georgia,  and  that  every  six  men 
furnish  themselves  with  one  pack-horse,  and  twenty  days’  provision 
each  man. 

2.  And  be  it  further  Resolved , That  there  be  officers  appointed  to 
command  such  men  so  raised,  and  that  they  all  go  as  militia  men,  and 
to  be  paid  as  such,  and  all  plunder  taken  in  action  from  the  enemy,  shall 
be  free  plunder  to  the  captors. 

3.  That  the  light  horse  regiment  of  this  state  be  immediately 
equipped,  and  made  ready  to  march  with  the  above  draft. 

4.  And  be  it  further  Resolved , That  the  Governor  and  Council  hold 
a friendly  correspondence  with  his  Honour,  the  Governor  of  Georgia ; 
and  that  they  communicate  to  him  our  intentions,  and  that  the  men 
so  raised,  and  holding  themselves  in  readiness,  march  at  their  direc- 
tion,  on  the  shortest  notice,  to  the  protection  of  our  frontiers. 

And  it  is  Resolved,  That  his  Excellency  the  Governor  be  directed  to 
hold  the  militia  of  this  state  in  immediate  readiness  to  march  to  the  aid 
of  the  frontier,  on  the  shortest  notice. 


PROMULGATION  OF  THE  FRANKLIN  LAWS. 


379 


Resolved , That  the  Governor,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  his  Council, 
is  hereby  empowered  to  call  the  Assembly  to  any  part  of  the  state  he 
thinks  right,  to  direct  the  movements  of  the  army,  now  ordered  out,  in 
case  he  should  find  it  necessary  to  march  them  out  of  the  state. 

Attest — 

Jo.  Conway,  C.  S.  Gilbert  Christian,  S.  S. 

I.  Taylor,  C.  C.  Henr.  Conway,  S.  C. 

October  13th,  1786. 

As  far  as  is  now  known,  the  manuscript  from  which  the 
above  is  copied,  is  the  only  legislative  enactment  of  the 
State  of  Franklin  that  has  survived  the  ravages  of  time  and 
accident.  At  that  day,  there  was  no  printing  press  nearer 
than  Richmond,  Newbern  or  Charleston.  The  proceedings 
of  Franklin  were  never  printed,  and  for  that  reason  it  be- 
came necessary  to  revive  a provision  made  under  similar 
circumstances,  many  years  before,  in  North-Carolina  ; and 
that  was,  at  the  opening  of  the  first  session  of  the  county 
courts,  and  at  the  first  militia  training  or  muster,  after  the 
rise  of  the  General  Assembly,  an  individual  was  appointed  to 
read  all  recent  enactments  aloud  in  the  hearing  of  the  peo- 
ple, at  the  court-house  or  muster-grounds.  Thirty  years 
since,  the  late  Col.  F.  A.  Ramsey  was  often  mentioned  as 
“ the  man  who  read  Sevier’s  laws  to  the  militia  of  Franklin.” 
If  further  proof  were  wanting  to  show  that  the  “Consti- 
tution of  the  State  of  Frankland  ” was  never  adopted  or 
acted  under,  the  above  act  furnishes  that  proof  irrefragably. 
That  Constitution,  as  has  been  seen,  provides  for  a single 
house,  while  this  act  is  signed  by  the  Speaker  of  the  Senate, 
and  by  the  Speaker  of  the  Commons,  and  is  also  attested  by 
the  Clerk  of  the  Senate,  and  by  the  Clerk  of  the  Commons. 

After  intelligence  had  reached  the  authorities  of  Georgia 
that  the  people  of  Franklin,  of  Cumberland  and  of  Kentucky, 
were  intending  to  emigrate  to  the  Bend  of  Tennessee,  another 
attempt  was  made  to  effect  the  settlement  of  Houston  county. 
Gov.  Sevier  was  written  to  on  the  subject.  His  reply  is  dated : 
Gov.  Sevier  to  Gov.  Telfair  : 

State  of  Franklin,  ) 

Washington  County,  14tli  of  May,  1786.  j 
Sir : — Being  appointed  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Tennessee 
District,  I beg  leave  to  inform  your  Honour  that  it  appears  impractica- 
ble to  proceed  on  that  business  before  the  fall  season. 


380 


PROJECTED  INVASION  OP  THE  CREEKS. 


The  people  here  are  apprehensive  of  an  Indian  war.  Hostilities  are 
daily  committed  in  the  vicinities  of  Kentucky  and  Cumberland.  Cols. 
Donelson,  Christian,  and  several  other  persops,  were  lately  wounded  and 
are  since  dead. 

The  success  of  the  Muscle  Shoal  enterprise,  greatly  depends  on  the 
number  that  will  go  down  to  that  place.  A small  force  will  not  be 
adequate  to  the  risk  and  danger  that  is  to  be  encountered,  and  the  peo- 
ple here  will  not  venture  to  so  dangerous  a place  with  a few. 

Your  Honour  will  be  pleased  to  be  further  informed,  and,  through 
you,  the  different  branches  of  your  government,  that  no  unfair  advan- 
tage will  betaken  from  this  quarter;  no  surveying  will  be  attempted 
until  a force  sufficient  can  be  had,  and  timely  notice  given  to  those  who 
may  intend  to  moVe  down.  The  people  in  this  quarter  wish  to  pro- 
ceed in  the  fall,  but  will  wait  your  advice  on  this  subject.  Your  Hon- 
our may  rest  assured  that  I shall,  with  jdeasure,  facilitate  everything  in 
my  power  that  may  tend  to  the  welfare  of  this  business. 

Gov.  Telfair,  replying  to  Sevier’s  letter  of  May  14,  in- 
formed him,  Aug.  27,  1786,  that  the  Legislature  of  Georgia 
had  postponed  the  consideration  of  the  Tennessee  Land 
District  ; that  the  Creek  Indians  had  been  committing  mur- 
ders and  depredations  on  the  frontier  of  Georgia  ; that  com- 
missioners had  been  appointed  to  negotiate  terms  of  a peace, 
in  failure  of  which,  the  state  would,  at  once,  carry  on  vigor- 
ous hostile  operations  against  that  tribe.  It  had  been  sug- 
gested, continued  Gov.  Telfair,  that  the  State  of  Franklin 
intended  to  march  a body  of  men  against  the  Creeks.  “ I 
flatter  myself  it  will  be  greatly  to  the  success  of  both 
armies  to  begin  their  movements  at  one  and  the  same  time, 
should  it  become  necessary.  The  first  of  November  I sug- 
gest as  the  time  for  marching.  On  this  subject  I have  to 
solicit  your  immediate  answer  and  determination.”  He  also 
informs  Gov.  Sevier  that  Robert  Dixon  and  Stephen  Jett, 
Esquires,  were  appointed  Commissioners  on  the  part  of 
Georgia,' 'to  confer  with  him  on  that  subject. 

Not  long  after  the  date  of  this  letter,  to  wit,  Aug.  26, 
1786,  Governor  Houston,  of  Georgia,  commissioned  Governor 
Sevier,  Brigadier-General  for  the  District  of  Tennessee. 
This  brigade  was  formed  for  the  defence ' of  Georgia,  and 
for  repelling  any  hostile  invasion. 

Governor  Sevier  was  not  unwilling  to  accept  this  evidence 
of  the  confidence  and  friendship  of  the  Governor  and  people 
of  Georgia.  He  was  sensible  of  the  opposition  Franklin 


EMBASSY  OF  MAJOR  ELHOLM. 


381 


had  encountered,  and  the  growing  discontent  and  difficulty 
yet  to  be  encountered  from  some  in  the  new  state,  and  from 
the  government  of  North-Carolina.  His  Cherokee  neigh- 
bours, and  their  allies,  the  Creeks,  were  ready,  at  any  mo- 
ment, to  take  advantage  of  the  necessities  of  the  infant 
government,  and  to  involve  it  in  a general  war.  He  took 
the  precaution,  therefore,  to  assure  himself  of  the  good  feel- 
ing and  co-operation  of  the  Georgians,  and  to  identify  that 
people  with  his  own  in  the  common  cause  of  self-defence 
and  self-protection.  With  many  of  their  leading  men  he 
had  become  acquainted,  in  his  several  campaigns  to  the 
South,  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  Some  of  them  were 
at  his  side  on  King’s  Mountain,  and  other  battle  grounds  of 
that  struggle.  Some  of  them,  at  its  close,  had  followed  him 
to  the  West,  and  adhered  to  his  fortunes  in  every  vicissitude. 
The  countrymen  of  Clarke,  and  Pickens,  and  Matthews,  all 
knew  his  gallantry  and  were  his  steadfast  friends.  Of  these, 
no  one  appreciated  Governor  Sevier  more  highly  than  a 
foreigner,  Caesar  Augustus  George  Elholm.  He  was  a 
Frenchman  or  Polander,  a member  of  Pulaski’s  Legion,  and 
was  with  that  brave  leader  at  the  siege  of  Savannah.  A 
feat  performed,  in  part,  by  him,  once  considered  fabulous, 
but  recently  authenticated  by  I.  K.  Tefft,  Esq.,  of  Savannah, 
is  here  given  in  the  words  of  that  learned  antiquarian  and 
accurate  historian : 

“ While  the  allied  army  was  engaged  before  Savannah,  and  while 
the  siege  was  pending,  Col.  John  White,  of  the  Georgia  line,  conceived 
and  executed  an  extraordinary  enterprise. 

“ Captain  French,  with  one  hundred  and  eleven  British  regulars, 
had  taken  post  on  the  Ogechee  River,  about  twenty-five  miles  from 
Savannah.  At  the  same  place  lay  five  British  vessels,  of  which  four 
were  armed,  the  largest  mounting  fourteen  guns  and  the  smallest  four. 
Col.  White  having  with  him  only  Captain  Caesar  Augustus  George 
Elholm,  a sergeant  and  three  men,  on  the  night  of  the  1st  of  October, 
1'7'79,  approached  the  encampment  of  French,  kindled  many  fires, 
which  were  discernible  at  the  British  station,  exhibiting  from  the  man- 
ner of  arranging  them  the  plan  of  a camp.  To  this  stratagem  he 
added  another.  He  and  his  comrades,  imitating  the  manner  of  the 
staff,  rode  with  haste  in  various  directions,  giving  orders  in  a loud  voice. 
French  became  satisfied  that  a large  body  of  the  enemy  were  upon  him, 
and  on  being  summoned  by  White  he  surrendered  his  detachment,  the 
crews  of  the  five  vessels,  forty  in  number,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty 


382 


FRANKLIN  NEGOTIATIONS  WITH 


stand  of  arms.  Having  thus  succeeded,  Col.  White  pretended  that  h« 
must  keep  back  his  troops,  lest  their  animosity  should  break  out,  and  an  in- 
discriminate slaughter  take  place,  in  defiance  of  his  authority,  and  that, 
therefore,  he  would  commit  them  to  three  guides,  who  would  conduct 
them  safely  to  good  quarters.  The  deception  was  carried  on  with  so 
much  address,  that  the  whole  of  the  British  prisoners  were  safely  con- 
ducted by  three  of  the  captors  for  twenty-five  miles  through  the  country 
to  the  American  post  at  Sunbury.  One  of  these  captors  was  C.  A.  G. 
Elholm.” 

Such  was  Major  Elholm,  who  is  now  introduced  to  the 
reader,  and  will  again  be  mentioned  as  bearing  further  part 
in  the  affairs  of  Franklin. 

When,  in  1786,  it  became  necessary  for  the  new  state  to 
strengthen  the  relations  of  friendship  and  good  feeling  with 
other  communities,  Governor  Sevier,  through  the  Legislature 
of  Franklin,  professed  a readiness  to  unite  with  Georgia, 
and  make  common  cause  with  that  state  in  the  prosecution 
of  the  war  against  the  Creeks,  which  seemed  then  inevitable. 
The  management  of  this  proposition,  Sevier  entrusted  to 
Major  Elholm,  whom  he  despatched  to  Augusta.  Bearing 
with  him  the  strongest  evidences  of  the  Governor’s  confi- 
dence, and  with  “sealed  instructions”,  in  his  possession,  he 
waited  upon  the  Executive  of  Georgia.  In  accordance  with 
the  main  object  of  his  mission,  Elholm  succeeded  in  procuring 
an  embassy  to  accompany  him  on  his  return,  to  whose  care 
was  committed  the  charge  of  enlisting  the  Western  people 
into  an  invasion  of  the  Creek  nation.  An  account  of  the  re- 
ception of  the  embassy  in  Franklin,  and  the  Major’s  con- 
jectures of  its  results,  will  be  given  in  his  own  words.  The 
reader  will  excuse  the  Major’s  Gallicisms.  They  are  well 
atoned  for  by  his  ardour  and  enthusiasm. 

Major  Elholm  to  Gov.  Telfair  : 

Governor  Sevier’s,  Franklin,  September  30,  1786. 

Sir ; — I does  myself  the  honour  to  inform  your  Excellency,  that  your 
Commissioners  set  out  from  this  the  28th  inst.,  by  the  way  of  Kentucky 
and  Cumberland.  They  were  received  very  politely  by  his  Excellency 
the  Governor,  from  whose  zeal  for  to  assist  you,  aided  by  the  inclination 
of  the  Franks,  I am  fully  convinced  your  embassy  will  meet  all  wished 
success  by  the  Assembly  of  this  State,  which  is  ordered  to  assemble 
12th  next,  by  his  Excellency’s  command,  in  consequence  thereof.  Seve- 
ral of  the  inhabitants  have  waited  on  the  governor,  for  to  be  informed 
of  the  contents  of  the  embassy  from  Georgia.  And  when  being  ac- 


GEORGIA,  TO  MARCH  AGAINST  THE  CREEKS. 


383 


quainted  therewith,  it  gave  me  great  pleasure  to  find  no  other  apprehension 
appeared,  but  that  of  making  peace  with  the  Creeks  without  fighting, 
by  which  occasion  they  said  so  favourable  a chance  for  humbling  that 
nation  would  fall  dormant.  The  Governor,  in  order  that  the  Americans 
may  reap  a benefit  from  the  dread  the  Cherokees  and  Chickasaws  feels 
from  the  displeasure  and  power  of  the  Franks,  he  has  despatched  letters 
to  them,  offering  them  protection  against  the  Creek  nation,  with  condi- 
tion that  they  join  him. 

Cumberland,  it  seems,  has  it  at  this  time  in  contemplation  to  join  in 
government  with  the  Franks.  If  so,  so  much  the  better,  and  it  would 
surely  be  their  interest  so  to  do,  as  they  are  yet  few  in  numbers,  and 
often  harassed  by  the  Indians. 

Judging  from  apparent  circumstances,  you  may  promise  youself  one 
thousand  riflemen  and  two  hundred  cavalry,  excellently  mounted  and 
accoutred,  from  this  state,  to  act  in  conjunction  with  Georgia. 

“ P.  S.  Governor  Sevier  received  letters  from  the  principal  men  in 
Cumberland,  which  inform  him  of  a convention  held  lately  at  that  place, 
when  Commissioners  were  chosen  by  the  people  with  power  for  to  join 
with  the  Franks  in  their  government. 

“Mr.  John  Tipton’s  party,  which  is  against  the  party  of  the  new 
government,  seems  deep  in  decline  at  present,  which  proves  very  favour- 
able to  the  embassy  from  Georgia.” 

Gov.  Sevier  to  Gov.  Telfair  : 

Mount  Pleasant,  Franklin,  28th  Sept.,  1786. 

Yours  of  the  27th  August,  I am  honoured  with.  I consider  myself 
much  obliged  with  the  information  your  Honour  was  pleased  to  give  me 
respecting  the  manner  and  form  you  intend  to  conduct  with  the  Creek 
Indians. 

You  will  please  to  be  informed,  that  the  deliberations  of  our  Assembly 
have  not,  as  yet,  been  fully  had,  respecting  the  marching  a force  against 
that  nation  of  Indians.  Our  Assembly  will  be  convened  in  a few  days, 
at  which  time,  I make  not  the  smallest  doubt,  but  they  will  order  out  a 
respectable  force  to  act  in  conjunction  with  the  army  of  your  state.  The 
determinations  of  our  Legislature  I shall  immediately  communicate  to 
your  Honour,  as  soon  as  the  same  can  be  fully  obtained.  The  move- 
ments to  begin  about  the  first  November,  I fear  will  be  rather  early  for 
our  army.  Could  the  time  be  procrastinated  a few  days,  I hope  it  would 
not  obstruct  the  success  of  the  expedition.  Shall  be  much  obliged  by 
being  informed  of  the  time  of  marching,  should  the  same  be  found  ne- 
cessary. Also,  as  near  as  may  be,  of  the  time  and  place  your  army 
may  be  expected  in  the  Creek  country. 

Gov.  Telfair  replied,  under  date  of  28tli  November,  1786, 
“That  Commissioners  appointed  to  treat  with  the  Creek  na- 
tion have  concluded  a peace,  on  account  of  which  every 
preparation  for  hostile  operations  are  now  suspended.”  The 
governor  also  expressed  a hope  that  the  peace  might  be 
lasting.  This  hope  was  doomed  to  be  disappointed. 


384 


ACTION  OF  GOVERNOR  AND  COUNCIL  OF  GEORGIA. 


The  offer  of  assistance  by  the  people  of  Franklin,  made 
by  Gov.  Sevier,  and  his  recommendation  of  Major  Elholm, 
his  ambassador,  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Georgia, 
drew  forth  the  following  action  : 

House  of  Assembly,  3d  Feb.,  1787. 

Mr.  O’Brien,  from  the  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  letter 
from  John  Sevier,  Esq.,  brought  in  a report,  which  was  agreed  to,  and 
is  as  follows : 

That  the  letters  from  the  said  John  Sevier,  Esq.,  evince  a disposition 
which  ought  not  to  be  unregarded  by  this  state,  particularly  in  the  in- 
tention of  settlers  in  Nollichucky,  etc.,  to  co-operate  with  us  during  the 
late  alarm  with  the  Indians,  provided  the  necessity  of  the  case  required 
it ; they,  therefore,  recommend  to  the  House,  that  his  Honour,  the 
Governor,  inform  the  Honourable  John  Sevier,  Esq.,  of  the  sense 
this  state  entertains  of  their  friendly  intentions,  to  aid  in  the  adjustment 
of  all  matters  in  dispute  between  us  and  the  hostile  tribes  of  Creek  In- 
dians that  were  opposed  to  this  state. 

That  in  regard  to  Major  Elholm,  who  has  been  so  particularly  recom- 
mended, they  cannot  forbear  mentioning  him  as  a person  entitled  to  the 
thanks  and  attention  of  the  Legislature,  and  recommend  that  his  Hon- 
our, the  Governor,  draw  a warrant  on  the  Treasury,  in  favour  of  Major 
Elholm,  for  the  sum  of  fifty  pounds. 

Subsequently,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  of 
Georgia,  authorizing  the  Governor  and  Executive  Council  to 
make  an  engagement  with  the  people  of  Franklin  to  sup- 
press the  hostilities  of  the  Creek  Indians. 

Gen.  Clarke  to  Gov.  Sevier  : 

Augusta,  Feb.  11th,  1787. 

Dear  Sir : — I received  your  favour  by  Major  Elholm,  who  informed 
me  of  your  health.  Assure  yourself  ol  my  ardent  friendship,  and  that 
you  have  the  approbation  of  all  our  citizens,  and  their  well  wishes  for 
your  prosperity.  We  are  sensible  of  what  benefit  the  friendship  of 
yourself  and  the  people  of  your  state  will  be  to  Georgia,  and  we  hope 
you  will  never  join  North-Carolina  more.  Open  a Land  Office  as  speed- 
ily as  possible,  and  it  cannot  fail  but  you  will  prosper  as  a people  ; this 
is  the  opinion  current  among  us. 

I have  considered  greatly  on  that  part  of  your  letter  which  alludes  to 
politics  in  the  Western  country.  It  made  me  serious,  and  as  seven 
states  have  agreed  to  give  up  the  navigation,  it  is  my  friendly  advice  that 
you  do  watch  with  every  possible  attention,  for  fear  that  two  more  states 
should  agree.  I only  observe  to  you,  that  the  Southern  States  will  ever 
be  your  friends. 

It  was  reported  that  East  and  West  Florida  were  ceded  by  the  Span- 
iards to  France,  but  it  is  not  so.  I know  that  you  must  have  the  navi- 
gation of  the  Mississippi.  You  have  spirit  and  right ; it  is  almost  every 
man’s  opinion  that  a rumour  will  rise  in  that  country.  I hope  to  see 


SEVIER  ELECTED  MEMBER  OP  THE  CINCINNATI. 


385 


that  part  myself  yet.  Adieu  ; Heaven  attend  you  and  every  friend,  with 
my  best  respects. 

Governor  Telfair  also  addressed  him,  under  date — 

Augusta,  Georgia,  13th  February,  1787. 

Sir:  ....  I took  the  liberty,  in  my  place,  to  lay  your  communica- 
tions before  the  legislature,  with  a few  comments  thereon.  I am  happy, 
sir,  to  inform  you,  they  were  received  with  that  attention  and  respect 
due  to  the  friendly  manner  in  which  you  were  pleased  to  convey  the  aid 
you  were  authorized  to  afford  the  state,  in  case  of  active  operations 
being  found  necessary  to  be  carried  on  against  the  Creek  Nation. 

Governor  Sevier,  writing  to  Governor  Matthews,  says, 
under  date — 

Mount  Pleasant,  Franklin,  3d  March,  1787. 

Sir: — Yours  of  12th  February,  with  the  resolves  of  the  Honourable 
the  General  Assembly  therein  enclosed,  I had  the  honour  to  receive 
from  Major  Elholm.  A principal  chief  of  the  Choctaws  arrived  here, 
who  had  come  by  way  of  the  Creek  Nation,  and  was  there  informed, 
that  nation  intended  hostilities  against  the  State  of  Georgia  early  this 
spring; — that  they  intended  last  summer  to  have  given  Georgia  a home 
stroke,  had  not  a small  party,  contrary  to  their  councils,  committed  hos- 
tilities before  the  main  body  of  the  warriors  was  ready  to  go  out. 

Permit  me,  sir,  to  return  you  my  sincere  thanks,  and  through  you  the 
other  gentlemen  of  your  state,  for  the  great  honour  done  me  on  the 
fifth  day  of  February  last. 

The  honour  alluded  to  in  this  last  paragraph  bjr  Gov.  Se- 
vier, was  the  recommendation  of  his  election  as  an  honorary 
member  of  the  District  Society  of  the  Cincinnati.  His  cer- 
tificate of  membership  is  before  the  writer.  In  the  report  of 
the  Committee,  appointed  to  “investigate  the  merits  of  the 
Honourable  Brigadier-General  John  Sevier,”  it  is  mentioned 
“ That  he  had  a principal  merit  in  the  rapid  and  well  con- 
ducted volunteer  expedition,  to  attack  Colonel  Ferguson,  at 
King’s  Mountain,  and  a great  share  in  the  honour  of  that 
day,  which  is  well  known  gave  a favourable  turn  to  our 
gloomy  and  distressed  situation,  and  that  an  opportunity 
never  yet  appeared,  but  what  confessed  him  an  ardent  friend 
and  real  gentleman.” 

He  is  then  recommended  for,  and  received  the  appointment 
of  a “ Brother  Member  of  the  Cincinnati,”  at  Augusta,  12th 
of  February,  1787. 

Major  Elholm  had  become,  not  less  by  his  address  than  by 
his  enthusiasm,  a favourite  in  Georgia.  The  Executive  Coun- 
25 


38G 


LETTERS  OF  ENCOURAGEMENT  TO  SEVIER, 


cil  received  him  as  a man  of  distinction,  and  invited  him  to 
a seat  with  them,  while  the  subject  of  his  mission  was  under 
consideration.  There  and  elsewhere,  he  took  every  oppor- 
tunity to  descant,  in  his  fervid  manner,  and  in  the  most  glow- 
ing terms,  upon  the  excellence  and  beauty  of  the  country 
from  which  he  came,  and  dwelt  at  length  upon  the  prowess 
of  the  western  people,  and  their  devotion  to  liberty  and  in- 
dependence, and  succeeded  in  creating  an  interest  and  enthu- 
siasm in  their  behalf.  “Success  to  the  State  of  Franklin, 
His  Excellency  Gov.  Sevier,  and  his  virtuous  citizens,”  be- 
came a common  toast. 

Gen.  Clarke  continued  his  correspondence,  under  date — 

Georgia,  22d  May,  1787. 

Sir : . Should  any  further  appearance  of  war  be  apparent,  I 

shall  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  communicating  it  to  you,  with  the 
expectation  of  acting  in  confidence  and  concert  with  your  state,  in  the 
operations  taken  against  the  Creeks. 

I am  very  sorry  to  hear  you  have  not  peaceably  established  your- 
selves in  the  State  of  Franklin,  and  that  the  unhappy  contention  yet 
prevails  between  that  and  the  State  of  North-Carolina,  and  more  parti- 
cularly when  they  think  of  reducing  you  by  force  of  arms.  These  ideas 
have  not  proceeded  from  anv  assurance  from  this  state,  as  it  is  the  re- 
ceived opinion  of  the  sensible  part  of  every  rank  in  Georgia,  that  you 
will,  and  ought  to  be,  as  independent  as  the  other  states  in  the  Union. 

Other  gentlemen  of  distinction  and  character  in  Georgia, 
in  like  manner,  held  out  to  the  Governor  of  Franklin  assu- 
rances, not  of  good  wishes  only,jabut  of  assistance.  One  of 
them  writes,  under  date, 

Wilkes  County,  State  of  Georgia,  May  21,  1787. 
Wm.  Downs  to  Gov.  Sevier: 

Sir:  ....  We  have  various  reports  respecting  the  different  opi- 
nions of  the  politics  of  your  state.  I must  inform  you  I have  had,  within 
these  few  months,  the  different  opinions  of  a number  of  the  greatest  poli- 
ticians in  our  state  respecting  yours,  who  give  it  as  their  opinion,  that 
it  will  support  itself  without  a doubt ; and,  from  what  I can  understand, 
would  give  every  assistance  in  their  power. 

As  a further  means  of  adding  to  the  strength  of  the  new 
state,  Governor  Sevier  and  his  Council  asked  the  advice  of 
Doctor  Franklin.  His  reply  is  dated — 

Philadelphia,  June  30,  1787. 

Sir: — I am  very  sensible  of  the  honour  your  Excellency  and  your 
Council  have  done  me.  But,  being  in  Europe  when  your  state  was 
formed,  I am  too  little  acquainted  with  the  circumstances,  to  be  able  to 


FROM  GEN.  CLARKE,  COL.  DOWNS  AND  DR.  FRANKLIN.  387 


offer  you  any  thing,  just  now,  that  may  he  of  importance,  since  every 
thing  material,  that  regards  your  welfare,  will,  doubtless,  have  occurred 
to  yourselves.  There  are  two  things  which  humanity  induces  me  to 
wish  you  may  succeed  in  : the  accommodating  your  misunderstanding 
with  the  government  of  North -Carolina,  and  the  avoiding  an  Indian 
war  by  preventing  encroachments  on  their  lands.  Such  encroachments 
are  the  more  unjustifiable,  as  these  people,  in  the  fair  way  of  purchase, 
usually  give  very  good  bargains  ; and,  in  one  year’s  war  with  them,  you 
may  suffer  a loss  of  property,  and  be  put  to  an  expense  vastly  exceed- 
ing in  value  what  would  have  contented  them,  in  fairly  buying 
the  lands  they  can  spare. 

I will  endeavour  to  inform  myself  more  perfectly  of  your  affairs,  by 
inquiry,  and  searching  the  records  of  Congress;  and  if  any  thing  should 
occur  to  me,  that  I think  may  be  useful  to  you,  you  shall  hear  from  me 
thereupon.  I conclude  with  repeating  my  wish,  that  you  may  amicably 
settle  your  difference  with  North-Carolina.  The  inconvenience  to  your 
people,  attending  so  remote  a seat  of  government,  and  the  difficulty  to 
that  government  in  ruling  well  so  remote  a people,  would,  I think,  be 
powerful  inducements  to  it,  to  accede  to  any  fair  and  reasonable  propo- 
sition it  may  receive  from  you,  if  the  Cession  act  had  now  passed. 

The  Doctor  continued  to  address  Gov.  Sevier,  in  his  official 
capacity,  as  late  as  December  of  this  year. 

Gen.  Win.  Cocke,  a Brigadier  of  the  Franklin  militia,  and 
a member  of  the  council  of  state,  addressed  Governor 
Matthews  the  following,  dated — 

State  of  Frankland,*  ) 

Mulberry  Grove,  25th  June,  1787.  j 

Sir  : — When  I take  a view  of  the  local  and  political  situation  of  this 
country,  I conceive  the  interests  of  your  state,  so  far  as  respects  Indian 
affairs,  almost  inseparable  with  the  safety  and  happiness  of  this  country ; 
and  on  hearing  that  the  Creek  Indians  have  committed  hostilities  in 
Georgia,  I have  endeavoured  to  consult  with  my  friends  here,  on  the 
subject  of  lending  you  any  assistance  in  our  power,  provided  you  should 
stand  in  need  of  such  assistance ; and  I am  certain  every  thing  to  serve 
your  state  or  its  interests,  will  be  done  by  the  people  of  Franklin , that 
they  could,  with  reason,  be  expected  to  do.  I imagine  General  Kennedy 
will  be  able  to  raise  a thousand  or  fifteen  hundred  men,  as  volunteers, 

* It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  this  letter  is  dated,  “ State  of  Frankland.”  This 
is  the  only  instance,  as  this  annalist  avers,  in  the  whole  list  of  letters  and  other 
papers  which  he  has  had  such  ample  opportunity  to  read  and  examine  in  the 
preparation  of  these  sheets,  in  which  the  name  of  the  new  state  is  not  spelled 
"Franklin.”  In  the  Convention,  Gen.  Cocke  had  been  in  favour  of  the  (rejected) 
“Constitution  of  the  State  of  Frankland,”  and  may  be  supposed  to  have  retained 
from  a feeling  of  paternity,  the  name  first  intended  for  his  bantling.  It  is  ob_’ 
eervable,  however,  that  in  the  body  of  his  letter,  he  gives  the  proper  orthography 
— Franklin. 


388 


THE  PROCEEDINGS  IN  WASHINGTON  COUNTY 


and  I think  I can  raise  a like  number.  An  army  of  two  or  three  thou- 
sand, will  be  quite  sufficient  to  march  through  any  of  the  towns  that  we 
should  have  to  pass  through.  I hope  the  Indians  have  not  been  so 
successful  in  your  state  as  the  Cherokees  report ; the  accounts  from  that 
nation  are  that  the  Creeks  have  killed  twenty-five  families,  without  the 
loss  of  a man.  I have  ordered  the  different  colonels  under  my  com- 
mand, to  hold  their  men  in  readiness,  and  on  being  well  assured  of  the 
Indians  attacking  your  state,  we  shall  march  into  their  towns,  so  soon 
as  we  shall  be  requested  by  you.  But  lest  the  United  States  might 
think  us  forward,  we  shall  remain  in  readiness,  until  we  are  called  for  by 
the  State  of  Georgia  or  until  hostilities  are  committed  in  our  state. 

Propositions  to  assist  in  the  conquest  of  the  Creek  nation 
were  also  made  to  Gov.  Sevier,  by  the  King,  Chiefs  and  Lead- 
ers of  the  Chickasaws. 

The  proffered  auxiliaries  from  the  Chickasaws,  the  re- 
peated assurances  of  co-operation  from  Georgia,  and  the  ex- 
pected assistance  from  Virginia  and  Cumberland,  stimulated 
both  the  authorities  and  people  of  Franklin  to  undertake  the 
subjugation  of  the  Creeks.  Another  consideration  in  favour 
of  that  policy,  exerted  at  this  moment  a powerful  influence  up- 
on the  mind  of  Governor  Sevier,  Some  of  the  causes  for  sepa- 
rating the  western  counties  from  the  parent  state,  had  either 
ceased  to  exist,  or  operated  now,  upon  the  minds  of  the  peo- 
ple with  less  intensity,  and  it  was  very  evident  that  a very 
formidable  party  in  Franklin  was  now  opposed  to  a further 
continuance  of  the  new  government. 

In  Washington  county,  this  opposition  had  become  most 
apparent.  The  magistrates  appointed  by  the  authorities  of 
North-Carolina,  met  at  the  house  of  William  Davis,  some  dis- 
tance from  the  seat  of  justice,  and  organized  a court,  when 
the  following  proceedings  took  place  : 

County  Proceedings. 

178V. — February  Term,  met  at  the  house  of  William  Davis. 

Present,  John  McMahon,  James  Stuart,  and  Robert  Allison. 

George  Mitchell  was  elected  Sheriff  pro.  tem.,  and  John  Tipton  was 
elected  Clerk  pro.  tem.,  and  Thomas  Gomly,  Deputy  Clerk. 

Feb.  0.  The  gentlemen  on  the  Dedimus,  appointed  justices  of  the 
peace  for  said  county,  are  as  follows  : John  Tipton,  Landon  Carter,  Ro- 
bert Love,  James  Montgomery,  John  Hamer,  John  Wyer,  John  Strain, 
Andrew  Chamberlain,  Andrew  Taylor,  Alex.  Moffett,  William  Pursley, 
Edmond  Williams,  and  Henry  Nelson. 

John  Tipton  presented  commission  as  Colonel  of  the  county,  and 
Robert  Love  as  Major,  and  were  qualified. 


ASSUME  A MORE  SERIOUS  ASPECT. 


389 


The  next  Quarterly  Term  of  this  Court  was  held  at  the  same  place. 

At  May  Term,  Tuesday  8th,  the  Court  elected  John  Pugh  Sheriff, 
Alexander  Moffett,  Coroner,  and  Elijah  Cooper,  Stray-master. 

Ordered  by  the  Court,  That  the  Sheriff  of  this  county  demand  the 
public  records  from  John  Sevier,  formerly  Clerk  of  this  county. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sheriff  notify  Vm.  McNabb  to  appear  before  the 
next  County  Court,  with  all  the  records  as  former  Ranger. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sheriff  demand  the  key  of  the  County  Jail  at 
Jonesboro,  from  the  former  Sheriff  of  this  county. 

In  other  counties,  the  authority  of  Franklin  was  so  far 
extinct,  that  of  North-Carolina  so  fully  recognized,  that  elec- 
tions were  not  held  for  the  Greeeneville  Assembly,  but  repre- 
sentatives were  regularly  chosen  for  the  legislature  of  the  old 
state,  to  meet  at  Tarborough,  on  the  18th  November.  Of 
those  thus  elected,  several  had  been  the  early  and  steadfast 
friends  of  separation  and  independence,  and  had  been  the 
principal  functionaries  of  the  new  commonwealth.  Even 
Greene  county,  which  had  refused  to  allow  commissions 
emanating  from  the  old  dynasty,  to  be  accepted  and  acted 
under,  within  its  boundaries,  had  partaken  of  the  general 
defection,  and  had  elected  to  the  Assembly  at  Tarborough, 
David  Campbell,  the  presiding  Judge  upon  the  Franklin 
Bench,  as  Senator  ; and  Daniel  Kennedy,  one  of  the  Frank- 
lin brigadiers,  and  James  Reese,  Esq.,  once  a member  of  its 
legislature,  to  the  House  of  Commons. 

Washington  county,  in  like  manner,  was  represented  by 
John  Tipton,  James  Stuart,  and  John  Blair  ; all  of  whom  had 
been  the  first  to  propose,  and  the  most  active  in  carrying 
into  effect,  the  insurrectionary  movement.  Sullivan  county 
had  chosen  Joseph  Martin,  Joffin  Scott,  and  George  Maxwell ; 
and  Hawkins  county,  Nathaniel  Henderson  and  William 
Marshall;  all  original  supporters  of  Franklin,  and  advocates 
of  separation.  Sevier  and  Caswell  counties  alone  main- 
tained their  allegiance  to  the  new  state,  and  adhered  to  Gov. 
Sevier  and  his  fortunes  ; and  even  in  these,  there  were  not 
wanting  men  whose  position  was  equivocal,  and  who  hesi- 
tated not  to  dissuade  from  further  resistance  to  the  current^ 
which  now  set  so  strongly  in  favour  of  the  mother  state. 
Harassed  by  the  difficulties  that  surrounded  his  official  posi- 
tion, and  perplexed  by  the  duties  and  responsibilities  devolv- 


390 


SEVIER  INVITES  THE  MEDIATION  OF  GEORGIA, 


mg  oil  him  as  a patriot,  Governor  Sevier  instituted  a further 
embassy  to  the  State  of  Georgia,  with  the  hope  of  extrica- 
ting himself  and  his  government  from  surrounding  embarrass- 
ments. As  a dernier  resort,  he  invited  the  mediation  of 
Georgia  between  North-Carol ina  and  Franklin  ; and  ad- 
dressed to  Governor  Matthews  the  following  communi- 
cation : 

Franklin,  24th  June,  178#, 

Sir : — The  Honourable  Major  Elholm  waits  upon  your  Assembly,  in 
character  of  Commissioner  from  this  State,  with  plenary  powers. 

The  party  in  opposition  to  our  new  republic,  although  few  and  in- 
considerable, yet,  by  their  contention  and  disorder,  they  occasion  much 
uneasiness  to  peaceable  minds.  We  are  friendly  citizens  of  the  Ameri- 
can Union,  and  the  real  desire  we  have  for  its  welfare,  opulence,  and 
splendour,  makes  us  unwilling  and  exceedingly  sorry  to  think,  that  any 
violent  measures  should  be  made  use  of,  against  the  adherents  of'any  of 
our  sister  states  ; especially  the  one  that  gave  us  existence,  though  now 
wishing  to  annihilate  us.  And  wha't  occasions  in  us  excruciating  pain  is, 
that  perhaps  we  may  be  driven  to  the  necessity,  unparalleled  and  unex- 
ampled, of  defending  our  rights  and  liberties  against  those,  who  not  long 
since,  we  have  fought,  bled  and  toiled  together  with,  in  the  common 
cause  of  American  Independence,  or  otherwise  become  the  ridicule  of 
a whole  world.  This  I hope,  however,  God  will  avert ; and  that  a re- 
union will  take  place  on  honourable,  just,  and  equitable  principles,  re- 
ciprocally so  to  each  party,  is  our  sincere  and  ardent  wish. 

When  we  remember  the  bloody  engagements  in  which  we  have 
fought  together  against  the  common  enemy,  the  friendly,  timely  and 
mutual  supports  afforded  between  the  State  of  Georgia  and  the  people 
of  this  country,  it  emboldens  us  to  solicit  you,  sir,  and  through  you  the 
different  branches  of  your  government,  that  you  will  be  graciously 
pleased  to  afford  to  the  State  of  Franklin  such  of  your  countenance  as 
you  may,  from  your  wisdom  and  uprightness,  think,  from  the  nature  of 
our  cause,  we  may  deserve, — in  promoting  the  interest  of  our  infant 
republic,  reconciling  matters  between  us  and  the  parent  state,  in  such 
manner  as  you,  in  your  magnanimity  and  justice,  may  think  most  expe- 
dient, and  the  nature  of  our  cause  may  deserve. 

Permit  us  to  inform  you  that  it  is  not  the  sword  that  can  intimidate 
us.  The  rectitude  of  our  cause,  our  local  situation,  together  with  the 
spirit  and  enterprise  of  our  countrymen  in  such  a cause,  would  inflame 
us  with  confidence  and  hopes  of  success.  But  when  we  reflect  and  call 
to  mind  the  great  number  of  internal  and  external  enemies  to  American 
Independence,  it  makes^us  shudder  at  the  very  idea  of  such  an  incurable 
evil,  not  knowing  where  the  disorder  might  lead,  or  what  part  of  the 
body  politic  the  ulcer  might  at  last  infect. 

The  nature  of  our  cause  we  presume  your  Excellency  to  be  sufficient- 
ly acquainted  with.  Only,  we  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  Cession  act 
of  North-Carolina,  also  the  constitution  of  that  government,  wherein  it 


AND  WRITES  TO  ITS  ASSEMBLY. 


391 


mentions  that  there  may  be  a state  or  states  erected  in  the  West,  when- 
ever the  legislature  shall  give  its  consent  for  the  same. 

We  cannot  forbear  mentioning,  that  we  regard  the  parent  state  with 
particular  affection,  and  will  always  feel  an  interest  in  whatever  may 
concern  her  honour  and  prosperity,  as  independent  of  each  other. 

For  further  information,  I beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  Honourable  Ma- 
jor Elholm. 

Accompanying  this  communication,  was  one  addressed  to 
the  Speaker  of  the  Georgia  Assembly,  dated — 

Franklin,  24th  June,  1787. 

Sir  : — At  the  request  of  a number  of  respectable  inhabitants  of  Vir- 
ginia, North-Carolina  and  Franklin,  I am  induced  to  write  your  honour- 
able body,  respecting  the  Tennessee  lands,  informing  you  that  there  is  a 
large  number  of  the  aforementioned  people  who,  for  some  time  past, 
have  been  at  considerable  expense,  in  order  to  equip  themselves  to  be- 
come residents  in  that  quarter,  who  have  been  led  to  believe,  from  the 
tenor  of  your  resolves,  and  the  conduct  of  the  Commissioners  appointed 
for  that  business,  that  they,  the  people,  might,  with  great  propriety,  ex- 
pect to  become  immediate  settlers. 

Permit  me  to  inform  your  honourable  body  that  we  have  every  rea- 
son to  believe,  that  the  making  the  aforesaid  settlements  would  be  of  in- 
finite advantage  to  your  state,  and  of  much  utility  to  the  adventurers  ; 
and  further,  were  that  place  inhabited,  from  the  great  advantages  it 
would  be  to  this  state,  I am  confident  that  Franklin  would  give  every 
necessary  support  to  the  inhabitants,  that  might  be  wanting  to  protect 
them  from  the  ravages  and  depredations  of  any  of  the  hostile  tribes  of 
Indians,  which  will,  in  a great  measure,  be  effected,  by  erecting  some 
garrisons  on  the  frontier  of  our  state,  which  we  have  lately  resolved  to 
do.  We  submit  it  to  your  wiser  consideration,  and  myself,  as  one  of 
your  Commissioners,  shall  be  happy  in  rendering  every  exertion  that  the 
duty  of  my  office  may  require,  in  compliance  with  your  determinations. 

Sevier  continued  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  his  tottering  go- 
vernment, and  under  date  6th  July,  1787,  says  to  General 
Kennedy  : 

Dear  General  : — I met  with  the  Old  State  party  on  the  27th  last 
month ; few  of  our  side  met,  not  having  notice.  I found  them  much  more 
compliable  than  I could  have  expected,  except  a few.  I have  agreed  to 
a second  conference,  which  is  to  be  held  at  Jonesboro’,  the  last  day  of 
this  month.  You  will  please  to  give  notice,  to  all  those  appointed  by  the 
convention,  that  may  be  within  your  district,  to  be  punctual  in  attending 
at  the  time  and  place.  I shall  earnestly  look  for  you  there,  and  as  many 
other  of  our  friends  as  can  possibly  attend,  and  I flatter  myself  some- 
thing for  the  good  of  the  public  may  be  effected. 

In  the  “Columbian  Magazine,”  for  November,  1787,  is 
found  the  following  extract  of  a letter  from  General  Cocke 
to  Major  Elholm,  at  Augusta,  Georgia. 


392 


GOVERNOR  SEVIER  TO  GOVERNOR  MATTHEWS. 


Mulberry  Grove,  State  of  Franklin,  ) 

August  27,  1787.  j 

Col.  Tipton  the  other  clay  appeared  with  a party  of  about  fifty  men,, 
of  such  as  he  could  raise,  under  a pretence  of  redressing’  a quarrel  that 
had  arisen  between  our  sheriff  and  the  sheriff  of  North-Carolina,  though 
their  principal  view  was,  to  put  themselves  in  possession  of  our  records. 
This  conduct  produced  a rapid  report,  that  they  had  made  a prisoner 
of  his  Excellency,  to  carry  him  to  North-Carolina,  which  caused  two 
hundred  men  to  repair  immediately  to  the  house  of  Col.  Tipton,  before 
they  became  sensible  of  the  mistake,  and  it  was  only  through  the  influence 
of  his  Excellency,  that  the  opposite  party  did  not  fall  a sacrifice  to  out 
Franks.  During  this  time,  a body  of  about  fifteen  hundred  veterans, 
embodied  themselves  to  rescue  their  governor  (as  they  thought)  out  of 
the  hands  of  the  North-Carolinians,  and  bring  him  back  to  the  moun- 
tains— an  instance  that  proves  our  citizens  to  have  too  noble  a spirit  to 
yield  to  slavery  or  to  relish  a national  insult. 

Continuing  his  correspondence  with  Governor  Matthews, 
Governor  Sevier  writes  : 

Mount  Pleasant,  Franklin,  30th  August,  1787. 

Sir  : — I had  the  honour  to  receive  your  favour  of  the  9th  inst.,  by 
the  express.  You  are  pleased  to  mention,  that  you  are  of  opinion  that 
your  Assembly  will  be  favourably  disposed  towards  this  state.  The 
measures  entered  into  by  your  Executive,  relating  to  our  business,  we 
are  very  sensible  of,  and  the  honour  you  thereby  do  us. 

I have  enclosed  your  Excellency  copies  of  two  letters  from  Colonels 
Kobertson  and  Bledsoe,  of  Cumberland,  wherein  you  will* he  informed 
of  the  many  murders  and  ravages  committed  in  that  country  by  the 
Creeks.  It  is  our  duty  and  highly  requisite  in  my  opinion,  that  such 
lawless  tribes  be  reduced  to  reason  by  dint  of  the  sword. 

I am  very  sensible,  that  few  of  our  governments  are  in  a fit  capacity 
for  such  an  undertaking,  and  perhaps  ours  far  less  so  than  any  other  ; 
but,  nevertheless,  be  assured,  that  we  will  encounter  every  difficulty  to 
raise  a formidable  force  to  act  in  conjunction  with  the  army  of  your  state 
in  case  of  a campaign. 

We  have  lately  received  accounts  from  some  gentlemen  in  Virginia, 
who  generously  propose  to  send  a number  of  volunteers  to  our  assistance. 
We  shall  cultivate  their  friendship,  and  I make  no  doubt  but  a consider- 
able number  may  be  easily  raised  in  that  quarter. 

Our  Assembly  sat  but  a few  days.  The  only  business  of  importance 
done,  was  the  making  a provision  for  the  defence  of  our  frontier,  by 
raising  four  hundred  men,  which  is  nearly  completed.  They  are  to  be 
stationed  in  the  vicinity  of  Chickamauga,  and  in  case  of  actual  operations 
against  the  Creeks  this  number  will  be  ready. 

Our  Assembly  is  to  meet  on  the  17th  of  next  month,  at  which  time 
I shall  do  myself  the  honour  of  laying  your  despatches  before  that  hon- 
ourable body,  who,  I am  happy  to  inform  you,  will  be  favourably  disposed 
to  render  your  state  every  assistance  in  their  power,  by  making  such  ar 
rangements  as  may  be  judged  adequate  to  the  business.  Their  de 


COLONELS  ROBERTSON  AND  BLEDSOE  TO  SEVIER. 


393 


terminations  on  this  subject  will  be  immediately  communicated  to  your 
honour,  so  £0011  as  the  same  can  be  had  and  fully  obtained. 

The  letter  above  referred  to  from  Col.  Robertson,  bears 
date, 

Nashville,  Aug.  1st,  1787. 

Sir : — By  accounts  from  the  Chickasaws,  we  are  informed  that  at  a 
Grand  Council  held  by  the  Creeks,  it  was  determined,  by  that  whole 
nation,  to  do  their  utmost  this  fall  to  cut  off  this  country,  and  we  expect 
the  Cherokees  have  joined  them,  as  they  were  to  have  come  in,  some 
time  ago,  to  make  peace,  which  they  have  not  done.  Every  circumstance 
seems  to  confirm  this.  The  5th  day  of  July,  a party  of  Creeks  killed 
Captain  Davenport,  agent  for  Georgia,  and  three  men  in  the  Chickasaw 
nation — wounded  three  and  took  one  prisoner,  which  the  Chickasaws 
are  not  able  to  resent  for  want  of  ammunition. 

The  people  are  drawing  together  in  large  stations,  and  doing  every 
thing  necessary  for  their  defence;  but,  I fear,  without  some  timely  as- 
sistance, we  shall  chiefly  fall  a sacrifice.  Ammunition  is  very  scarce, 
and  a Chickasaw,  now  here,  tells  us,  they  imagine  they  will  reduce  our 
station  by  ki! ling  all  our  cattle,  etc.,  and  starving  us  out.  We  expect, 
from  every  account,  they  are  now  on  their  way  to  this  country,  to  the 
number  of  a thousand.  I beg  of  you  to  use  your  influence  in  that 
country  to  relieve  us,  which,  I think,  might  be  done  by  fixing  a station 
near  the  mouth  of  Elk,  if  possible,  or  by  marching  a body  of  men  into 
the  Cherokee  country,  or  in  any  manner  you  may  judge  beneficial.  We 
hope  our  brethren  in  that  country  will  not  suffer  us  to  be  massacred  by 
the  savages,  without  giving  us  any  assistance,  and  I candidly  assure  you 
that  never  was  there  a time  in  which  I imagined  ourselves  in  more  dan- 
ger. 

Kentucky  being  nearest,  we  have  applied  there  for  some  present 
assistance,  but  fear  we  shall  find  none  in  time.  Could  you  now  give  us 
any  ? I am  convinced  it  would  have  the  greatest  tendency  to  unite  our 
counties,  as  the  people  will  never  forget  those  who  are  their  friends  in  a 
time  of  such  imminent  danger. 

I have  wrote  to  General  Shelby  on  this  subject,  and  hope  that  no  di- 
vision will  prevent  you  from  endeavouring  to  give  us  relief,  which  will 
be  ever  gratefully  remembered  by  the  inhabitants  of  Cumberland,  and 
your  most  obedient  humble  servant. 

That  from  Col.  Bledsoe,  bears  date, 

Sumner  County,  Aug.  5th,  1787. 

Dear  Sir  : — When  I had  last  the  pleasure  of  seeing  your  Excellency, 
I think  you  was  kind  enough  to  propose,  that  in  case  the  perfidious 
Chickamaugas  should  infest  this  country,  to  notify  your  Excellency,  and 
you  would  send  a campaign  against  them  without  delay.  The  period 
has  arrived  that  they,  as  I have  good  reason  to  believe,  in  combination 
with  the  Creeks,  have  done  this  country  very  great  spoil  by  murdering 
numbers  of  our  peaceful  inhabitants,  stealing  our  horses,  killing  our 
cattle  and  hogs,  and  burning  our  buildings  through  wantonness,  cutting 
down  our  corn,  etc. 


394 


MAJOR  ELHOLm’s  PROJET. 


I am  well  assured  that  the  distress  of  the  Chickamauga  tribe  is  the 
only  way  this  defenceless  country  will  have  quiet.  The  .militia  being 
very  few,  and  the  whole,  as  it  were,  a frontier,  its  inhabitants  all  shut 
up  in  stations,  and  they,  in  general,  so  weakly  manned,  that  in  case  of 
an  invasion,  one  is  scarcely  able  to  aid  another,  and  the  enemy  daily  in 
our  country  committing  ravages  of  one  kind  or  other,  and  that  of  the 
most  savage  kind.  Poor  Major  Hall  and  his  eldest  son,  fell  a sacrifice 
to  their  savage  cruelty  two  days  ago,  near  Bledsoe’s  Lick.  They  have 
killed  about  twenty-four  persons  in  this  country  in  a few  months,  besides 
numbers  of  others  in  settlements  near  it.  Our  dependence  is  much 
that  your  Excellency  will  revenge  the  blood  thus  wantonly  shed. 

Gov.  Sevier  to  Gov.  Matthews  : 

Franklin,  28th  Oct.,  lYSL 

Sir  : — I have  fortunately  met  with  Mr.  William  Talbot,  who  is  no\r 
on  his  way  to  your  state.  I am  happy  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  in- 
form your  Excellency  that  the  Legislature  of  this  State  has  passed  an 
act,  authorizing  the  Executive  to  forward  an  aid  to  your  assistance,  con- 
sisting of  nine  hundred  men,  together  with  several  companies,  who  of- 
fer their  assistance,  from  Virginia. 

We  flatter  ourselves  this  force,  with  that  from  your  state,  will  be  suf- 
ficient to  answer  the  wished  for  purpose.  We  now  wait  the  determina- 
tion of  your  state,  and  shall  endeavour  to  comply  with  any  reasonable 
request  we  may  receive  from  your  state  towards  carrying  on  a campaign, 
in  conjunction  with  you,  against  the  Creek  Indians.  The  Creeks,  I am 
told,  have,  in  some  measure,  abated  their  hostilities  at  Cumberland. 
They  have  not  done  us  any  damage  in  this  quarter  as  yet. 

These  several  communications  were  submitted  to  the  Exe- 
cutive Council  of  Georgia. 

While  they  were  under  consideration,  Major  Elholm  was 
invited  to  a seat  in  the  Council,  and  was  requested  to  fur- 
nish a projet  of  the  military  preparation  necessary  for  the 
conquest  of  the  Creek  nation,  and  the  settlement  of  the  Great 
Bend  of  the  Tennessee  River.  The  plan  he  submitted 
and  advised,  was  to  appropriate  the  Great  Bend  as  boun- 
ties, to  the  officers  and  soldiers  employed  in  taking  and 
occupying  it ; and  that  while  they  continued  to  maintain  and 
protect  their  settlements,  without  expense  to  Georgia  or 
Franklin,  the  inhabitants  should  pay  no  taxes  for  a term  of 
3rears.  In  support  of  his  plan,  Major  Elholm  added,  “I  am 
certain  you  may  expect  at  least  one  thousand  men  from 
Franklin.” 

Gov.  Sevier,  desirous  of  procuring  the  assent  of  the  parent 
state  to  the  separation  and  independence  of  Franklin,  ap- 
pointed another  Commissioner  to  North-Carolina.  One  ol 


FURTHER  FOREIGN  EMBASSIES. 


395 


the  Council,  F.  A.  Ramsey,  was  selected  for  that  mission. 
It  is  tradition  that  he  proposed  to  assume,  on  the  part  of  the 
new  government,  the  whole  Continental  debt  of  North-Caro- 
lina.  At  first  his  embassy  met  the  favourable  attention  of 
the  Legislature,  but  the  failure  to  adopt  the  Federal  Consti- 
tution, then  under  discussion,  produced  delay,  and  the  nego- 
tiation failed.  After  his  project  was  acted  on  by  the  Coun- 
cil, Major  Elholm  made*the  following  address. 

To  His  Excellency , George  Matthews,  Esq., 

and  the  Honourable  Council : 

Moved  with  the  liveliest  sense  of  obligation,  for  your  attention  paid 
to  the  Franks,  my  constituents,  I feel  it  the  most  pleasing  task  to  so- 
licit, for  a moment,  to  give  the  due  thanks  to  the  magnanimity  of  your 
government,  in  the  name  of  my  fellow-citizens 

We  are  prepared  to  move  in  concert  with  the  operation  of  your  mili- 
tary forces,  against  our  common  enemy  ; and  for  that  purpose,  a detach- 
ment of  upwards  of  a thousand  men,  weli  accoutred,  now  waits  on  your 
Excellency’s  chief  movements  and  command,  with  a reserve  on  occa- 
sion, to  increase  said  force,  two  thousand  strong. 

To  which  it  was  replied  by  Governor  Matthews: 

In  Council,  Augusta,  Nov.  5,  1187. 

To  the  Honourable  George  Elholm,  Esq., 

Commissioner  from  the  People  of  Franklin. 

Sir : — Your  obliging  and  very  friendly  letter  I had  the  honour  to 
receive,  and  which  was  laid  before  the  Executive  Council.  I have  now, 
sir,  to  return  you,  (in  behalf  of  the  supreme  power  of  this  state,)  my 
warmest  thanks  for  your  assiduity,  as  well  as  for  the  close  attention  you 
have  paid  mutually  to  the  State  of  Georgia  and  the  people  of  Franklin. 
Impressed  deeply  as  we  are,  for  the  welfare  of  all  those  who  have  had  in- 
dependence enough  to  free  themselves  from  British  usurpation,  we  cannot 
but  be  mindful  of  the  good  people  of  Franklin,  and  hope,  ere  long,  the 
interests  of  both  will  be  securely  and  lastingly  cemented. 

Permit  me,  now,  sir,  to  wish  you  a safe  return,  and  a happy  sight  of 
the  people  by  whom  you  were  commissioned  ; in  which  I am  joined  by 
the  honourable  the  Executive. 

Governor  Matthews  to  Governor  Sevier  : 

Augusta,  Nov.  12tli,  1787. 

Sir : — I have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favour  of  the  30th 
August.  The  Assembly  of  the  State  are  now  fully  persuaded  that  they 
never  can  have  a secure  and  lasting  peace  with  the  Creek  Indians,  till 
they  are  well  chastised,  and  severely  feel  the  effects  of  war.  They  have 
passed  a law  for  raising  three  thousand  men  for  that  purpose,  and  have 
empowered  the  Executive  to  call  for  fifteen  hundred  men  from  Franklin, 
in  addition  to  that  number  ; which  united  force,  I flatter  myself,  will  be 
more  than  adequate  to  chastise  their  insolence  and  perfidy.  Major 
Elholm  takes  with  him  the  acts  for  raising  the  men,  -which  will  so  fully 


39G 


REJOICINGS  IN  FRANKLIN  AT  THE 


inform  you  on  that  matter,  that  I need  not  touch  on  the  subject.  I 
have  to  request,  that  you  will  inform  me  as  soon  as  possible,  if  I may  de- 
pend on  that  number  of  troops  from  Franklin  ; and  what  time  they  will 
be  ready  to  take  the  field,  as  I most  ardently  wish  to  have  a speedy  end 
put  to  the  war.  The  Bend  of  Tennessee  being  allowed  for  your  men,  I 
flatter  myself,  will  give  pleasure,  and,  as  the  bounty  is  given  for  fighting 
our  common  enemy,  will  be,  I am  persuaded,  thought  generous  and 
liberal. 

Governor  Telfair  to  Governor  Sevier  : 

Augusta,  Georgia,  12th  Nov.  1787. 

Sir  : — It  affords  me  pleasure  to  congratulate  you  on  the  legislature 
of  this  state,  and  government,  having  taken  measures  that,  in  my  opin- 
ion, will  prove  extremely  beneficial  to  Franklin,  inasmuch  as  to  evince 
to  the  Cnion  that  one  of  the  members  of  it  has  full  confidence  in  the 
valour  and  rectitude  of  the  people  and  government  thereof. 

When  a people  unite  in  common  danger,  and  when  a certain  portion 
of  the  blood  of  each  commonwealth  engaged  therein  must  be  spilt,  in 
the  progress  and  events  of  a savage  war,  it  will  unite  friendship,  awake 
the  feelings,  and  even  hand  to  posterity  a grateful  remembrance  of  past 
transactions;  permit  me,  then,  as  an  individual,  to  suggest  the  propriety 
of  the  intended  co-operation  having  for  its  basis  a well-directed  force, 
suppqrted  by  energy,  and  conducted  by  talents  and  abilities.  It  is  a 
crisis  by  which  a young  people  may  rise  in  estimation,  and  I flatter  my- 
self, it  will  give  tone  to  the  name  of  Franks. 

An  officer  of  similar  rank  and  powers,  was  directed  to  ac- 
company Major  Elholm,  on  his  return  from  his  Georgia 
mission.  The  negotiation,  with  the  management  of  which  that 
Commissioner  had  been  entrusted,  had  been  conducted  with 
zeal  and  fidelity,  and  had  resulted  to  the  entire  satisfaction 
of  the  governor,  the  council,  and  those  of  the  people  of 
Franklin,  who  still  adhered  to  the  declining  fortunes  of 
that  state.  Despatches  containing  the  proceedings  at  Au- 
gusta, and  the  alliance  between  the  contracting  parties, 
were  forwarded  by  express  to  Governor  Sevier.  The  intel- 
ligence was  hailed  with  acclamations  of  joy  by  his  adherents, 
and  was  not  unacceptable  to  that  part  of  the  people  who 
had  transferred,  or  were  prepared  to  transfer,  their  allegiance 
to  the  mother  state.  The  object  of  the  alliance — the  con- 
quest of  the  Creeks,  and  the  occupancy  of  the  country  below 
them  on  the  Tennessee — accorded  exactly  with  the  martial 
spirit  of  the  western  soldiery,  and  comported  well  with  their 
character  and  taste  for  adventure  and  enterprise.  Small  as 
was  their  number,  remote  and  inaccessible  as  was  the  thea- 


ALLIANCE  WITH  GEORGIA. 


397 


tre  for  the  contemplated  campaign,  difficulty  and  danger 
only  stimulated  them  to  the  undertaking,  and  they  longed  for 
the  opportunity  of  carrying  their  victorious  arms  to  the  coun- 
try above  Mobile.  Rumours  had  reached  them  of  the  occlu- 
sion of  the  Mississippi,  and  they  already  cherished  the  design 
of  opening  up  by  their  own  swords,  a channel  of  commerce 
with  the  world,  in  despite  of  Federal  indifference  or  foreign 
diplomacy  and  injustice. 

If  the  people  of  Franklin  rejoiced  at  the  successful  issue  of 
Elholm’s  mission,  it  may  be  easily  supposed  that  Governor 
Sevier  received  the  intelligence  with  the  highest  gratifica- 
tion. He  was  too  sagacious  not  to  have  observed,  that  the  new 
state  was  at  the  point  of  dissolution — the  crisis  was  at  hand 
which  it  could  not  probably  survive.  Elections  had  not  been 
holden  of  members  for  a succeeding  session  •of  the  Franklin 
Assembly.  His  gubernatorial  term  would  expire  in  a few 
short  month — she  was  himself  ineligible,  and  a.  successor 
could  be  appointed  only  by  a vote  of  the  legislative  bodies. 
The  only  chance  of  preserving  the  integrity  of  his  govern- 
ment, was  that  the  projected  campaign  would  silence  the 
clamour  of  the  malcontents,  and  restore  harmony  and  con- 
cert to  the  distracted  members  of  his  little  republic.  This 
hope  was  fallacious  and  illusory ; but  the  governor’s  per- 
severance was  indomitable,  and  he  appealed  at  once  to  his 
countrymen,  and  issued  the  circular  which  follows,  to  the 
colonel  commandant  of  each  county,  and  through  them  to  the 
people. 

GOVERNOR  SEVIER’S  CIRCULAR  TO  THE  MILITARY  OF  FRANKLIN. 

28tii  November,  1787. 

Major  Elkolm  is  just  now  returned  from  Georgia  with  expresses  from 
the  governor  of  that  state,  requiring  an  aid  of  fifteen  hundred  men  from 
the  State  of  Franklin,  to  co-operate  with  them  against  the  Creek  In- 
dians, under  the  following  conditions,  to  wit : 

All  that  will  serve  one  campaign,  till  a peace  is  made,  shall  receive 
as  follows  : 

A colonel,  one  thousand  two  hundred  acres  ; a lieutenant-colonel,  one 
thousand  one  hundred  ; a major,  one  thousand ; a captain,  nine  hun- 
dred; first-lieutenant,  eight  hundred;  second-lieutenant,  seven  hun- 
dred and  fifty  ; non-commissioned  officers,  seven  hundred  ; privates,  well 
armed  and  accoutred,  six  hundred  and  forty. 


398 


sevier’s  circular  to  the 


Any  general  officer,  called  into  the  service,  to  have  the  following 
proportions  : — 

A major-general,  fifteen  hundred  acres  ; a brigadier  general,  fourteen 
hundred  acres. 

The  Bend  of  Tennessee  is  reserved  for  the  troops  of  Franklin,  which 
is  a desirable  spot,  and  will  be  of  great  importance  to  this  state.  Wo 
are  to  have  an  additional  bounty  of  fifty  acres  on  every  one  hundred 
acres,  in  lieu  of  rations,  and  all  other  claims  against  the  State  of  Geor- 
gia, which  makes  our  proportion  of  lands  amount  to  half  as  much  more 
as  what  is  above  allotted.  A private  man’s  share,  if  he  finds  himself, 
amounts  to  nine  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and  officer’s  in  proportion. 

This  great  and  liberal  encouragement  will,  certainly,  induce  numbers 
to  turn  out  on  the  expedition,  which  will  not  only  be  doing  something 
handsome  for  themselves,  but  they  will  have  the  honour  of  assisting 
a very  generous  and  friendly  sister  state  to  conquer  and  chastise  an  in- 
solent and  barbarous  savage  nation  of  Indians. 

I now  request  that  you  will,  with  the  utmost  despatch,  cause  a gene- 
ral muster  to  be  held  in  your  county,  and  endeavour  to  get  as  many 
volunteers  to  enter  into  and  engage  in  the  aforesaid  service,  and  under 
the  above  conditions,  as  is  in  your  power.  You  may,  also,  encourage 
active  persons  to  turn  out  and  recruit ; and  both  yourself,  and  those  that 
may  recruit,  to  transmit  to  me,  immediately  after  the  general  muster, 
your  numbers  of  recruited  volunteers.  If  I am  spared,  I think  to  take 
the  field  once  more,  and  wish  we  may  he  able  to  march  about  Christ- 
mas, if  possible,  for  the  sooner  we  march,  the  sooner  the  people  can 
return  in  time  to  put  in  their  spring  crops. 

I congratulate  you,  and  every  true  friend,  on  the  success  of  our  Com- 
missioner in  the  State  of  Georgia,  and  am  happy  to  inform  you  that 
our  situation  as  a state  is  now  secure  and  on  a permanent  footing — 
much  occasioned  by  one  of  the  members  of  the  Union,  through  her 
liberal  and  sisterly  affection,  having  taken  us  by  the  hand,  and  noticing 
us  as  a people,  of  which  you  will  be  convinced  by  the  copies,  Ac., 
accompanying  this.  The  good  people  in  this  country  are  under  high 
obligations  to  our  trusty  and  worthy  Commissioner,  Major  Elholm, 
whose  acquaintance  and  abilities  have  enabled  him  to  accomplish  for 
us  most  desirable  purposes. 

I have  not  time  to  transcribe  and  send,  for  your’s  and  the  people’s 
perusal,  a copy,  in  full,  of  the  Georgia  act,  respecting  Franklin,  but 
hope  the  outlines,  herein  inserted,  will  be  satisfactory.  I also  recommend 
that  the  recruiting  officers  might  apply  and  take  a copy  for  the  satisfac- 
tion of  those  who  may  be  inclined  to  enter  into  the  service. 

The  State  of  Georgia  has  appointed  Col.  George  Handley,  a respecta- 
ble character  in  that  state,  to  attend  the  State  of  Franklin  in  character 
of  Commissioner.  I expect  him  in  a few  days,  and  shall  be  desirous  of 
giving  him  every  information  before  his  return.  I recommend  the  in- 
formation herein  contained,  through  your  patronage,  to  the  people,  who, 
I hope,  after  seeing  the  great  notice  and  respect  shewn  them  by  the 
State  of  Georgia,  in  her  application  to  us  for  our  assistance,  and  the  high 
confidence  they  place  in  the  spirit  and  bravery  of  the  people  here,  that 
they  will  be  animated  with  the  idea,  that  they  are  now  capable  of  evin- 


MILITIA  OF  FRANKLIN. 


399 


eing  to  the  world  that,  like  a young  officer  who  first  enters  the  field,  they 
are  competent,  from  their  bravery  and  merit,  to  make  themselves  known 
and  respected  amongst  the  nations  of  the  world ; and,  though  we  have 
not  large  cities  and  sea-ports,  which  generally  sink  into  wealth  and 
luxury,  by  which  means  the  offspring  dwindle  into  effeminacy  and  dis- 
sipation, yet,  I hope,  we  shall  always  remain  as  happy,  free  and  inde- 
pendent as  any  other  people ; if  not,  sure  I am,  it  will  be  our  own 
fault,  and  we  ought  never  to  be  pitied. 

This  appeal  by  Governor  Sevier,  to  the  gallantry  of  his 
countrymen,  was  responded  to  in  their  usual  warlike  spirit. 
An  army  of  volunteers  was  at  once  recruited,  and,  as  early 
as  December  2d,  a letter  was  addressed  by  the  Governor  to 
Colonel  Handley,  offering  the  co-operation  of  his  army  with 
the  forces  of  Georgia,  in  the  contemplated  invasion  of  the 
Creek  nation.  To  this  no  answer  was  received  till  after  the 
governor’s  term  of  office  had  expired,  and  he  had  become  a 
private  citizen. 

Colonel  Handley  to  Governor  Sevier  : 

Augusta,  Ga.,  February  19th,  1*788. 

Sir: — We  now  inform  you,  that  we  have  a just  sense  of  the  good 
intentions  of  the  pepple  of  Franklin  towards  this  state;  and  we  are 
well-persuaded,  the  information  contained  in  your  letter,  when  properly 
directed,  is  such  as  will  tend  to  the  mutual  welfare  and  prosperity 
of  both. 

We  have  the  satisfaction  to  assure  you,  sir,  that  great  progress  is 
made  in  our  recruiting  service.  The  regular  troops  will  be  marched  into 
the  Indian  country,  putting  to  death  all  who  make  opposition.  Mercy 
will  not  be  granted  on  any  other  terms  than  a total  surrender  of  their 
country  and  themselves. 

All  this,  we  assure  you,  would  have  happened,  had  not  Congress, 
agreeably  to  their  act  of  the  26th  of  October,  1787,  ordered  one  Com- 
missioner to  be  appointed  from  each  of  the  states,  North-Carolina, 
South-Carolina,  and  Georgia,  to  hold  a treaty  with  the  Indians,  and  we 
now  only  suspend  our  operations  till  their  determinations  are  known. 

This  letter  is  sufficiently  explanatory  of  the  delay  in  re- 
plying to  Sevier,  as  well  as  of  the  cause  of  abandoning  the 
expedition.  This  delay,  and  the  consequent  disappointment 
of  the  militia  of  Franklin,  baffled  the  hope  which  the  gov- 
ernor had  cherished  of  harmonizing  his  people  in  support  of 
the  new  government.  The  volunteers  were  restless,  impa- 
tient and  disappointed.  Employment,  suited  to  their  taste  — 
danger,  with  which  habit  had  made  them  familiar — victory, 
which  had  ever  followed  them  and  their  leader — conquest, 
which  they  never  doubted — renown,  which  they  deified — 


400 


WESTERN  PREJUDICE  AGAINST  SPAIN. 


achievement  which  they  idolized,  and  fame  for  which  they 
sighed,  had  suddenly  vanished  and  eluded  'their  grasp.  Not 
a word  of  censure  was  uttered  against  their  gallant  comman- 
der-in-chief, but  the  soldiery  remained  in  sullen  discontent 
at  home. 

During  the  disturbances  in  Franklin,  and  more  particularly 
while  Governor  Sevier  was  recruiting  an  army  to  co-operate 
with  Georgia  in  the  invasion  and  subjugation  of  the  Creek 
Indians,  some  restles  spirits  in  the  country  contemplated  the 
seizure  of  the  Spanish  posts  at  Mobile,  Natchez  and  New- 
Orleans.  It  was  well  known,  that  by  the  stipulations  of  the 
treaty  at  Pensacola,  in  1784,  the  authorities  of  Spain  consid- 
ered themselves  bound  to  treat  the  Creeks  as  friends  and  allies, 
and  that  they  furnished  them  supplies  of  ammunition,  if  they 
did  not  excite  them  to  hostilities  against  the  western  settle- 
ments. This  engendered  a feeling  of  resentment  against 
Spain,  which  was  exasperated  when  Congress  consented 
to  deliberate  upon  the  proposal  of  Mr.  Jay  to  surrender,  for 
a term  of  years,  the  right  of  navigating  the  Mississippi  liver. 
It  is  not  strange  that,  under  these  circumstances,  the  western 
people  should  consider  the  Spaniards  and  Creeks  alike  as 
enemies  to  them  and  to  their  interests  ; nor  that  they  should 
agitate  the  subject  of  redressing  their  grievances  and  main- 
taining their  rights,  b}r  their  own  arms.  This  subject  was 
agitated  in  Franklin,  and  one  of  the  agents  of  North-Caro- 
lina,  in  criminating  the  new  government,  took  occasion  to 
impute  to  Governor  Sevier  designs  unfriendly  to  the  Union. 
At  this  conjuncture  it  was,  that  a letter  came  into  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Federal  authorities,  pointing  out  unequivocal!; 
machinations  and  designs  against  Spain  on  the  part  of  Frank- 
lin. The  letter  alluded  to,  was  written  Sept.  24,  1787,  from 
Charleston,  South-Carolina,  by  John  Sullivan,  and  was  ad- 
dressed to  Major  Brown,  late  of  the  Maryland  artillery.  The 
writer,  speaking  of  the  Tennessee  River,  said  : “ There  will  be 
work  for  you  in  that  country.  I want  you  much.  Take  my  word 
for  it,  we  will  be  speedily  in  possession  of  New-OrleansT 
This  letter,  written  about  the  time  the  Legislature  of  Frank- 
lin contemplated  and  authorized  the  erection  of  garrisons  in 
the  Bend  of  Tennessee,  and  at  the  time,  too,  when  the  alii- 


DECLINE  OF  THE  FRANKLIN  GOVERNMENT. 


40! 


ance  was  matured  between  them  and  Georgia,  alarmed  the 
Federal  Government,  then  negotiating  with  Spain.  The  War 
Office  at  once  directed  General  Harmar  to  institute  the 
strictest  enquiry  into  the  subject.  No  formal  conspiracy 
could  be  detected.  Those  engaged  in  it,  were  probably  too 
few,  and  the  embarrassments  nearer  home  too  pressing,  to  al- 
low the  execution  of  their  plans,  which,  under  other  circum- 
stances, they  could  have  easily  effected.  Cumberland,  Ken- 
tucky and  the  whole  West,  could  have  co-operated  in  prevent- 
ing the  occlusion  of  the  Mississippi  River  against  their  com- 
merce. The  inhabitants  left  the  subject  to  the  negotiation 
of  the  Federal  Government,  and  chose  not  to  disturb  its 
foreign  relations. 

Having  thus  presented  in  detail  the  foreign  affairs  of  the 
State  of  Franklin,  we  return  to  its  domestic  transactions. 
Pending  the  negotiations  for  obtaining  auxiliaries  from 
abroad,  the  new  government  was  every  day  losing  an  ad- 
herent at  home,  who,  by  transferring  his  allegiance  to  North- 
Carolina,  sensibly  diminished  the  influence  and  authority  of 
Sevier.  In  1787,  there  scarcely  remained  in  the  Common- 
wealth of  Franklin  vitality  enough  to  give  it  a nominal  ex- 
istence ; its  substance  and  strength  were  absorbed  into  the 
Carolina  Regime,  and  the  pangs  of  political  annihilation  ha- 
ving thus  come,  little  more  was  left  of  the  skeleton  of  the 
government,  than  its  head.  That  still,  under  all  the  debility 
which  affected  the  body,  retained  its  wonted  vitality  and  vi- 
gour. The  Council  of  State  had  participated  in  the  general 
disaffection,  and  some  of  its  members  had  accepted  office  un- 
der North-Carolina,  while  others  had  failed  to  meet  their 
colleagues  in  the  Board,  or  had  formally  withdrawn  from  it. 
The  judiciary,  in  its  highest  department,  was  annihilated  by 
the  election  of  Judge  Campbell  to  a seat  in  the  Tarborough 
Legislature,  by  which  he  was  soon  after  appointed  Judge  of 
the  Superior  Court  for  the  District  of  Washington,  at  Jones- 
boro’. The  Legislature  of  Franklin  suffered  also  from  the 
prevalent  disintegration,  and  manifested  a strong  tendency 
to  dismemberment.  From  some  of  the  old  counties  there 
was  no  representation,  while  the  delegates  from  others  exhi- 
bited indecision  or  discordance,  vln  September,  of  this  year, 
26 


402 


LAST  FRANKLIN  LEGISLATURE. 


a quorum  was  got  together,  and  constituted,  at  Greeneville, 
the  last  session  of  the  Legislature  of  Franklin.  Of  this  body, 
John  Menifee  was  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and  Charles  Robinson,  Speaker  of  the  Senate.  Their  legis- 
lation was  chiefly  confined  to  unimportant  amendments  of 
the  laws  of  North-Carolina.  The  Governor  was  scarcely 
able  to  secure  the  passage  of  an  act,  to  provide  ways  and 
means  to  carry  into  effect  his  negotiation  with  Georgia,  and 
for  descending  the  Tennessee  River  with  his  troops,  and  ta- 
king possession  of  its  Great  Bend.  This  bill  was  passed  by 
a compromise.  The  quid  pro  quo  given  to  the  dissentients, 
was  the  appointment  of  two  delegates,  to  attend  the  Legis- 
lature of  North-Carolina,  to  make  such  representations  of 
the  affairs  of  Franklin  as  might  be  thought  proper.  Under 
this  final  adjustment,  Judge  Campbell  and  Landon  Carter 
were  elected  delegates — the  former  of  whom,  as  has  been 
already  stated,  was,  at  the  same  time,  a member  of  the  Tar- 
borough  Assembly.  The  Greeneville  Legislature  also  passed 
an  act,  creating  a land  office  in  Franklin,  with  a provision, 
that  peltry  should  be  taken  by  the  Entry-taker  instead  of 
money. 

It  is  not  known  that  the  State  of  Franklin  issued  grants  for 
lands.  It  had  acquired  by  treaty  with  the  Cherokees,  the 
country  south  of  French  Broad,  and  west  of  Pigeon.  It  is 
probable  that  only  incipient  measures  were  adopted  for  ap- 
propriating it  to  specific  purchasers.  Each  county  had  its 
Entry-taker’s  office,  and  its  Surveyor. 

A copy  follows,  of  a Franklin  Land  Warrant: 

State  of  Franklin,  Caswell  County,  ) 

No.  IV,  April  20,  1787.  j 
To  the  Surveyor  of  said  County,  Greeting  : 

Whereas,  James  Ruddle  hath  paid  into  the  Entry-taker’s  Office  of  this 
County,  ten  shillings,  for  one  hundred  acres  of  land  in  said  County ; 
yoii  are  hereby  required  to  receive  his  location  for  the  same,  and  to  lay 
off  and  survey  the  above  quantity  of  land,  and  make  return  thereof  to 
the  Secretary’s  Office,  agreeable  to  law. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  office,  this  20th  September,  1787. 

John  Sehorn,  E.  T. 

No  grant  has  been  found  on  record,  conveying  land  from 
the  State  of  Franklin.  Indeed,  few  of  its  official  papers 
have  survived  the  ravages^of  time,  and  the  accidents  to 


INCREASING  DEBILITY  OF  FRANKLIN. 


403 


which  the  partizan  and  rival  conflicts,  of  the  respective  offi- 
cers of  the  old  and  new  jurisdiction,  exposed  them.  It  is 
tradition,  that  one  of  the  married  daughters  of  Governor  Se- 
vier concealed  them,  on  one  occasion,  in  a cave.  A portion 
of  the  Docket  of  Washington  County  Court,  now  before  this 
writer,  seems  to  have  undergone  such  an  exposure-  From 
one  of  its  mutilated  pages,  he  is  able  to  decipher  : ' 

“ On  motion  being  made  by  the  Attorney  for  the  State,  and 
at  the  same  time  exhibited  a handbill  containing  an  ‘ Ad- 
dress to  the  Inhabitants  of  Franldand  State,’  under  the  sig- 
nature of  a citizen  of  the  same,  the  Court,  upon  the  same 
being  read  publicly  in  open  Court,  adjudged  it  to  contain 
treasonable  insinuations  against  the  United  States,  and  false, 
ungenerous  reflections  against  persons  of  distinction  in  the 
Ecclesiastic  department,  fraught  with  falsehood,  calculated 
to  alienate  the  minds  of  their  citizens  from  their  government, 
and  overturn  the  same. 

“Upon  mature  deliberation,  the  Court  condemned  said 
handbill  to  be  publicly  burned  by  the  High  Sheriff  of  the 
County,  as  a treasonable,  wicked,  false,  and  seditious  libel.” 

The  defection  had,  in  the  meantime,  extended  further,  and 
embraced  the  State  Council.  Its  members  were  the  last  to 
yield  to  the  force  of  that  current  in  public  affairs,  which  but 
too  plainly  they  saw,  was  now  setting  against  Franklin.  Thev 
all  continued  the  faithful  and  steadfast  friends  of  Sevier. 
But  the  legislature,  session  after  session,  became  smaller  and 
smaller,  and  confining  its  action  to  subjects  of  immediate 
importance  and  urgency,  failed  to  elect  the  State  Council, 
and  the  Governor  was  left  “ alone  in  his  glory.”  Some  of 
the  old  Board,  though  no  longer  his  constitutional  advisers, 
dissuaded  him  from  further  effort  to  perpetuate  the  new  go- 
vernment, and  advised  him  to  yield  to  the  necessity  which 
portended  its  fete,  and  threatened  to  overwhelm  its  Execu- 
tive. Vestige  after  vestige  of  Franklin  was  obliterated;  its 
judiciary  was  gone  ; its  legislature  reduced  to  a skeleton  ; 
its  council  effete,  defunct,  powerless ; its  military  disorga- 
nized, if  not  discordant ; and  its  masses  confused  and  dis- 
tracted, with  no  concert  and  unanimity  among  themselves. 

Distraction  extended  likewise  to  the  lower  judicial  tribu- 


404 


CIVIL  DISTURBANCES ANIMOSITY 


nals  of  Franklin,  Discordant  elements  were  found  amongst 
the  magistrates  composing  its  county  courts.  The  Franklin 
courts  elected  one  set  of  county  officers,  while  another  set 
were  chosen  by  such  of  the  justices  as  had  accepted  commis- 
sions from  North-Carolina.  This  conflict  of  jurisdiction  was 
succeeded,  in  some  instances,  unpleasant  results.  The 
possession  of  the  records  was,  of  course,  desired  by  each  in- 
cumbent. Force  and  stratagem  were  resorted  to  by  both 
parties  to  obtain  them.  Courts  were  held  in  different  places, 
and  an  unarmed  body  of  men  would  suddenly  enter  the  court- 
house of  the  adverse  party,  seize  its  records,  and  bear  them 
off  in  triumph.  An  effort  would  then  be  made  to  regain, 
them.  A scuffle  would  ensue,  ending  sometimes  in  a gene- 
ral fight.  Scenes  of  disorder  took  place,  which  were  gene- 
rally sources  of  merriment  and  pleasurable  excitement, 
rather  than  causes  of  settled  malice  or  revenge.  The  par- 
ties separated,  and  soon  after  were  friends.  In  Washington 
county,  however,  the  dispute  became  acrimonious,  and  at 
length  generated  a feeling  of  inappeasable  malignity  between 
the  leaders  of  their  respective  parties.  From  the  commence- 
ment of  the  Franklin  revolt,  this  county  had  been  the  seat 
of  a central  influence,  which,  while  it  remained  united,  was 
able  to  repress  any  opposition  to  its  authority.  That  central 
power  was  represented  by  two  very  numerous  and  most  re- 
spectable families,  the  leading  members  of  which  were  John 
Sevier  and  John  Tipton — each  alike  brave,  patriotic  and 
ambitious.  Each  had  been  distinguished  by  martial  ex- 
ploits and  patriotic  services  in  civil  life.  They  had  con- 
quered together  at  King’s  Mountain,  and  co-operated  to-  ' 
gether,  harmoniously,  in  all  the  incipient  measures  of  the 
insurrectionary  government.  On  one  occasion,  as  has  been  1 
mentioned,  when  Sevier  hesitated  and  dissuaded  from  sepa- 
ration, Tipton  was  decided  in  support  of  that  measure.  Tip- 
ton  became  an  officer  under  the  new  government.  Sevier 
was  its  Governor.  After  the  repeal  of  the  Cession  act,  the 
former  returned  to  his  allegiance  to  the  parent  state,  and 
was  now  a member  of  its  legislature;  the  latter  main- 
tained his  opposition  to  it.  They  were  now  implacable  ene- 
mies. Each  of  them  had  political  adherents  and  personal 


BETWEEN  GOVERNOR  SEVIER  AND  COLONEL  TIPTON. 


405 


friends.  Neither  of  them  had  a personal  enemy.  Each  of 
these  leaders,  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose,  felt  the  ambition  to 
supplant  his  rival,  and  prevent  his  supremacy. 

The  Legislature  of  North-Carolina,  at  its  session  of  this 
| year,  continued  and  extended  its  conciliatory  policy 
( towards  the  western  people.  The  former  acts  of 
pardon  and  oblivion  to  such  as  had  been  engaged  in  the  re- 
volt, were  re-enacted,  and  those  who  availed  themselves  of 
the  advantages  specified  therein,  were  restored  to  the  privi- 
leges of  citizens.  Suits  were  dismissed,  which  had  been 
instituted  for  the  recovery  of  penalties  or  forfeitures  incurred 
by  a non-compliance  with  the  revenue  laws,  and  those  who 
had  failed  to  list  their  property  for  taxation,  for  the  current 
year,  were  allowed  three  months  longer  in  which  to  comply 
with  the  law.  These  pacific  and  satisfactory  measures  were 
suggested  and  supported  by  the  delegates  from  the  western 
counties,  then  members  of  the  North-Carolina  Legislature, 
and  went  far  to  remove  the  remains  of  discontent  and 
quiet  the  complaints  of  the  citizens. 

The  Governor  of  Franklin  still  retained  his  elastic  and 
sanguine  temper.  As  late  in  his  administration  of  Frank- 
lin, as  January  24,  1788,  Governor  Sevier  continued  to 
inspire  his  adherents  with  hope.  Under  that  date  he 
writes  to — 

Hon.  General  Kennedy  : 

Dear  Sir : — I have,  lately,  received  some  favourable  news  from  Doc- 
tor Franklin,  and  other  gentlemen;  also,  am  happy  to  inform  you  that 
I find  our  friends  very  warm  and  steady — much  more  so  than  hereto- 
fore. My  son  can  inform  you  of  some  late  particulars.  Any  thing 
material  your  way,  will  thank  you  for  a sketch  of  it  by  my  son. 

I am,  sir,  your  most  obdt., 

John  Sevier. 

“Very  warm  and  steady”  were,  indeed,  the  friends  of 
John  Sevier,  but  not  of  the  Governor’ of  Franklin,  now  totter- 
ing into  ruins.  In  little  more  than  one  month,  Franklin  had 
ceased  to  be.  v 

At  the  return  of  the  members,  early  in  January  of  this 
l^gg  ^ year,  from  Tarborough,  it  was  announced  that  the 
( parent  state  had  no  intention  of  acceding  to  the 
views  ot  those  who  favoured  the  establishment  of  the 
Franklin  government? 


406 


GOVERNOR  SEVIER  MARCHES  AGAINST  TIPTON, 


The  County  Court  of  Washington  still  held  its  sessions  at 
Davis’s,  under  the  authority  of  North-Carolina ; that  of 
Franklin,  at  Jonesboro’.  Of  this  court,  James  Sevier,  a 
son  of  the  Governor,  was  clerk.  Of  the  court  at  Davis’s, 
John  Tipton  was  clerk.  An  extract  from  his  docket  is  here 
given : 

“ 1788,  February  Term. — Ordered — That  the  Sheriff  take  into  cus- 
tody the  County  Court  docket  of  said  county,  supposed  to  he  in  posses- 
sion of  John  Sevier,  Esq.,  and  the  same  records  bring  from  him  or  any 
other  person  or  persons  in  whose  possession  they  now  are  or  hereafter 
shall  be,  and  the  same  return  to  this  or  some  succeeding  court  for  said 
county.” 

A fit  opportunity  soon  after  occurred,  of  testing  the  supre- 
macy of  the  new  and  old  dynasty.  We  copy  from  Hay- 
wood : 

A fieri  facias  had  issued  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year 
1787,  and  had  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  sheriff,  to  be 
executed  against  the  estate  of  Governor  Sevier,  in  the  early 
part  of  1788.  The  sheriff,  acting  under  the  authority  of 
North-Carolina,  by  virtue  thereof,  seized  all  or  the  greater 
part,  of  Governor  Sevier’s  negroes,  to  satisfy  it,  and  removed 
them,  for  safe  keeping,  from  his  farm,  on  Nollichucky  River, 
to  the  house  of  Colonel  Tipton.  Sevier  was,  at  this  time,  on 
the  frontiers  of  Greene  county,  devising  means  for  defending 
the  inhabitants  against  the  incursions  of  the  Indians,  whose 
conduct  of  late,  had  given  room  for  the  apprehension  of  a 
formal  renewal  of  hostilities.  Hearing  of  the  seizure  of  his 
negroes  by  virtue  of  an  unlawful  precept,  as  he  deemed  it, 
and  by  an  officer  not  legally  constituted,  he  resolved  immt- 
diately  to  suppress  all  opposition  to  the  new  government  of 
Franklin,  and  to  punish  the  actors  for  their  audacity.  He 
raised  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  principally  in  Greene 
county,  but  partly  in  Sevier,  and  what  is  now  called  Blount 
and  marched  directly  to  Tipton’s  house,  near  to  which  he 
arrived  in  the  afternoon.  Not  more  than  fifteen  men  of  Tip- 
ton’s party  were  then  with  him.  Sevier  halted  his  troops 
two  or  thre  hundred  yards  from  the  house,  on  a sunken  piece 
of  ground,  where  they  were  covered  from  annoyance  by  those 
in  the  house.  Sevier  was  also  incited  to  action  by  another 
incident.  Tipton,  it  was  said,  in  order  to  get  possession  of 


AND  BESIEGES  HIM  IN  HIS  OWN  HOUSE. 


407 


his  person,  had  collected  a party  of  his  adherents,  some  time 
before,  and  had  sent  them  off  with  orders  to  make  Sevier  a 
prisoner.  The  latter  happened  to  be  on  the  frontiers,  and 
Tipton’s  emissaries  missed  their  aim.  When  Sevier  came 
home  and  was  informed  of  this  attempt,  he  burned  with 
indignation  at  the  ingratitude  of  it,  and  at  the  unrelenting 
temper  which  he  considered  to  have  prompted  it.  Hence, 
he  received  an  additional  motive  to  action,  and  resolved,  in 
turn,  to  look  for  the  Saul  who  searched  for  him  in  all  the 
dens  and  hiding  places  of  the  country.  Tipton  had  gained 
some  intimation  of  Sevier’s  design,  and  had  but  just  time  to 
call  for  the  aid  of  fifteen  of  his  friends,  who  were  with  him 
at  the  time  of  Sevier’s  arrival.  With  them  he  kept  posses- 
sion of  his  house,  and  barricaded  it  against  the  expected 
assault,  as  well  as  he  could,  and,  with  undismayed  steadiness, 
waited  the  arrival  of  the  Governor.  The  house  of  Colonel 
Tipton  was  on  Sinking  Creek,  of  Watauga  River,  eight  or 
ten  miles  east  of  Jonesboro’.  The  Governor  was  not  dila- 
tory in  making  his  appearance.  He  presented  himself  and 
his  troops,  with  a small  piece  of  ordnance,  and  took  post  in 
front  of  the  house.  He  demanded  the  unconditional  surren- 
der of  Tipton,  and  of  all  who  were  with  him  in  the  house. 
Tipton,  with  the  earnest  language  which  he  sometimes  em- 
ployed on  emergent  occasions,  sent  word  to  him  “ to  fire  and 
be  damned.”  He  sent  to  Tipton  a written  summons.  This, 
with  a letter  calling  for  assistance,  Tipton  immediately  sent 
to  Colonel  Maxwell,  of  Sullivan,  who  was  commandant  of 
militia  in  that  county,  and  a representative  of  the  county  in 
the  General  Assembly  of  North-Carolina.  For  some  time, 
Tipton  would  not  permit  any  communication  with  Sevier. 
Early  the  next  day,  however,  he  consented  that  Robert  Love, 
Esquire,  one  of  the  fifteen  who  had  come  to  his  assistance^ 
might  correspond  with  him.  Mr.  Love  wrote  to  him  through 
the  medium  of  his  own  flag,  and  directed  his  letter  to  Colo- 
onel  Sevier.  In  reply,  it  was  said,  that  Colonel  Sevier  was 
not  in  camp,  alluding  to  Valentine  Sevier,  a brother  of  the 
Governor,  who  bore  the  title  of  colonel.  Mr.  Love  answered 
them,  and  strongly  recommended  to  the  troops  to  withdraw  and 
disband  themselves,  which,  he  said,  would  enable  those  who 


408 


RALIjY  of  the  clans. 


supported  the  government  of  North-Carolina  to  countermand 
the  orders  for  levying  troops  in  Sullivan  county,  and  other 
places.  The  reply  made  to  this  recommendation  was,  that 
Governor  Sevier  could  countermand  the  orders  for  their 
march.  Here  the  correspondence  ended.  A few  of  the 
most  influential  persons  then  with  Tipton,  were  sent  out  to 
collect  reinforcements  from  the  neighbourhood  and  from  the 
settlements  above.  Two  or  three  were  adso  sent  to  Sullivan 
county,  for  the  same  purpose.  On  the  next  day  a few  men 
joined  Tipton,  and,  in  the  course  of  the  day,  a woman, 
coming  to  the  house  on  some  occasion,  in  company  with 
another  woman,  was  shot  in  the  shoulder.*  Some  of  Se- 
vier’s troops  occupied  an  eminence  of  limestone  rocks,  with- 
in shooting  distance  of  the  house,  and  from  that  quarter  the 
woman  was  wounded.  On  the  next  night  Mr.  Robert  Love 
went  out  with  one  man,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  aid  from 
the  quarter  of  the  country  where  he  resided.  On  his  way 
home,  he  met  his  brother  Thomas,  now  General  Love,  with 
ten  or  twelve  men,  going  to  join  Tipton,  whom  he  informed 
of  the  guard,  at  the  eminence  of  rocks,  which  lay  near  the 
road  that  led  to  the  house.  Mr.  Thomas  Love,  before  it  was 
light,  approached  the  rocks  on  a prancing  horse,  himself 
hemming  and  coughing.  Not  being  hailed,  he  went  to  the 
rocks,  at  which  the  guard  had  been  stationed,  and  found  that 
the  whole  guard  was  absent.  The  weather  being  exces- 
sively cold,  they  had  retired  to  the  main  body,  to  warm 
themselves  by  their  fires.  Mr.  Thomas  Love  returned  to  his 
companions  and  informed  them  of  the  absence  of  the  guard 
from  their  post,  whereupon,  raising  a whoop,  they  went  in 
full  gallop  to  Tipton’s  house,  and  by  their  junction  with  the 
besieged,  infused  fresh  vigour  into  their  resolutions. 

Elholm,  second  in  command  to  the  Governor,  in  order  to 
make  short  work,  and  to  escape  from  the  danger  of  delay, 
proposed  the  erection  of  a light  movable  battery,  under  co- 
ver of  which  the  troops  might  safely  advance  to  the  walls 
of  the  house.  In  the  meantime,  those  coming  in  and  going 
out  of  the  house  of  Tipton,  were  fired  upon,  and  one,  whose 


This  was  purely  accidental. 


BESIEGING  FORCES  RETIRE  FROM  TIPTOn’s. 


409 


I 

name  was  Web'b,  was  killed  ; another,  whose  name  was 
Vaun,  was  wounded  in  the  arm.  Maxwell,  with  all  possi- 
ble expedition,  raised  one  hundred  and  eighty  men,  and 
marching  with  them,  he  had  halted  at  Dungan’s  Mill,  and 
had  stayed  there  in  the  fore  part  of  the  night,  till  they  could 
have  just  time  to  reach  the  camp  of  Sevier  by  morning. 
Whilst  they  were  lying  there,  Sevier’s  scouts  came  within  a 
mile  of  them,  and  not  discovering  any  advancing  enemy, 
returned  to  their  main  body.  The  night  was  cloudy  and 
dark,  and  in  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  February,*1  just  after 
day-break,  which  was  the  time  of  the  attack  made  by  Se- 
vier, the  snow  poured  down  as  fast  as  it  could  fall  from  the 
clouds.  Sevier  had  placed,  in  the  road  leading  from  Sulli- 
van county,  by  the  place  of  his  encampment,  sentinels  to 
watch  the  approach  of  the  reinforcement  to  Tipton,  which 
was  expected  from  Sullivan.  The  cold  weather  was  so 
extreme  that  it  had  forced  them  into  camp  to  warm  them- 
selves for  a few  minutes.  Maxwell  and  Pemberton  advanced 
cautiously,  with  their  men  well  formed  in  a line,  within 
gunshot  of  Sevier’s  camp,  having  passed  the  spot  where  the 
sentinels  were  stationed,  unobserved.  Here  they  a,waited 
the  approach  of  daylight.  As  soon  as  objects  had  become 
visible,  the  snow  falling,  and  Sevier’s  men  advancing  to  the 
attack  on  the  house,  the  troops  under  Maxwell  fired  a volley 
and  raised  a shout  which  seemed  to  reach  the  heavens,  and 
communicated  to  Tipton  and  his  men  in  the  house,  that  de- 
liverance was  at  hand.  From  the  house  they  re-echoed  the 
shout,  and  instantly  sallied  out  upon  the  besiegers.  In  the 
midst  of  these  loud  rejoicings,  a tremor  seized  the  dismayed 
troops  of  Sevier,  and  they  fled  in  all  directions,  through 
every  avenue  that  promised  escape  from  the  victors.  Tip- 
ton  and  Maxwell  did  not  follow  them  more  than  two  hun- 
dred yards.  Within  one  hour  afterwards,  Sevier  sent  in 
Robert  Young  with  a flag,  proposing  terms  of  accommoda- 
tion. They  left,  in  their  flight,  to  be  taken  by  the  victors, 
the  small  piece  of  ordnance  which  Sevier  had  caused  to  be 
planted  upon  a battery.  Pugh,  the  high  sheriff  of  Wash- 

* This  date  is  an  error.  It  was  the  28  th  of  February,  1788. 


410 


TIPTON  RELEASES  HIS  PRISONERS. 


ington  county,  was  mortally  wounded.  Divers  persons  were 
made  prisoners  who  belonged  to  Sevier’s  corps,  and  amongst 
them  two  sons  of  Sevier,  James  and  John.  Tipton  forth- 
with determined  to  hang  both  of  them.  Apprised  of  the 
rash  step  he  intended  to  take,  the  young  men  sent  for  Mr. 
Thomas  Love,  and  others  of  Tipton’s  party,  with  whom  they 
had  a good  understanding,  and  solicited  their  intercession 
with  Tipton.  Those  persons  went  directly  to  him  and  rep- 
resented, in  strong  terms,  the  rashness,  illegality  and  impolicy 
of  the  intended  execution.  They  urged  their  arguments  so 
effectually,  that,  with  tears  flowing  down  his  cheeks  at  the 
mention  of  his  own  sons,  supposing  them  to  be  in  the  pos- 
session of  Sevier,  about  to  be  executed  by  him  for  offences 
imputed  to  the  father,  he  pronounced  himself  too  womanish 
for  any  manly  office,  and  desisted  from  his  purpose. 

This  is  the  account  usually  given  of  the  affair  between 
Tipton  and  Sevier.  It  is  believed  to  be  mainly  correct.  The 
declaration  put  into  the  mouth  of  Governor  Sevier,  that  he 
would  suppress  all  opposition  to  the  government  of  Franklin, 
needs  confirmation,  or  should  be  qualified.  From  the  com- 
mencement of  the  difficulties  between  the  parent  state  and  her 
revolted  counties,  Sevier  had  determined  to  avoid  and  in- 
tended to  prevent  violence  and  bloodshed.  His  moderation 
and  his  good  temper,  have  been  attested  by  the  narrative  of 
every  pioneer  this  annalist  has  had  an  opportunity  to  ex-  ■ 
amine.  The  Governor,  in  every  instance,  dissuaded  his  ad- 
herents from  violence  or  even  tumult.  His  own  letters, 
official  and  private,  breathe  the  same  spirit.  The  reader  will 
recollect  how  much,  and  how  pathetically,  he  deprecated  a 
resort  to  force  in  his  letter  to  Governor  Matthews,  of  June 
24,  in  which  he  also  speaks  of  the  mother  state  with  affec- 
tion and  regard — indeed,  in  a tone  of  filial  piety,  which  can- 
not be  too  much  admired.  His  conduct  during  the  siege  of 
Tipton’s  house,  and  until  he  withdrew  from  it,  demonstrates, 
what  is  intended  here  to  be  said,  that  Governor  Sevier  did 
not  intend  to  maintain  the  authority  of  Franklin  by  force. 

It  is  known,  that  in  undertaking  to  recover  his  property,  then 
in  the  custody  of  Tipton’s  adherents.,  and  confined  in  his 
house,  the  determined  spirit  of  that  brave  man  defied  Sevier. 


sevier’s  demeanour  during  the  siege. 


411 


Major  Elholm  advised  an  immediate  assault,  and  offered  to 
lead  it.  The  Governor  restrained  the  ardour  of  his  adjutant, 
and  declared  that  not  a gun  should  be  fired.  Elholm  re- 
newed his  application  for  leave  to  storm  the  house,  when  he 
was  silenced  by  the  remark  from  Sevier,  that  he  came  not 
there  to  kill  his  countrymen,  and  that  those  who  followed 
him  had  no  such  wish  or  design.  Sevier  himself,  and  most 
of  his  adherents,  were  too  patriotic  not  to  be  dissatisfied  with 
the  position  which  surrounding  circumstances  had  forced 
him  to  assume,  and  which  he  almost  reluctantly  now  occupied, 
at  the  head  of  insurgents,  and  prompted  to  engage  them  in 
a fratricidal  warfare.  His  sword  had  been  often  drawn  for 
his  country — his  heart  had  never  quailed  before  its  enemies. 
Over  these  he  had  often  triumphed  ; but  now  he  refused  to 
imbrue  his  hands  in  the  blood  of  patriotic  countrymen  and 
friends.  The  patriot  prevailed  over  the  officer — the  citizen 
over  the  soldier.  The  sternness  of  the  commander  yielded 
to  the  claims  of  duty  and  a common  citizenship.  His  de- 
meanour during  the  siege,  and  especially  on  the  night  before 
the  assault,  is  represented  by  those  of  his  party  who  served 
under  him,  before  and  after  this  occasion,  to  have  been  very 
different  from  that  which  he  usually  manifested.  The  men 
under  his  command  exhibited  the  same  altered  behaviour. 
In  all  their  campaigns,  ardour  and  enthusiasm  attended  the 
march — care  and  vigilance  the  bivouac — the  mirthful  song 
and  the  merry  jest,  were  heard  in  every  tent.  On  these 
occasions,  it  was  the  custom  of  Sevier  to  visit  every  mess, 
and  to  participate  in  their  hilarity.  He  spoke  of  enemies  and 
danger  before,  and  friends  and  home  behind  them.  He  was 
thus  the  companion,  and  friend,  and  idol  of  his  soldiery. 
But  now  the  camp  of  the  Governor  of  Franklin  was  dreary 
and  cheerless.  No  merry  laugh  was  heard — nor  song. — nor 
jest.  Little  care  and  less  vigilance  was  taken  in  placing  out 
the  sentinels.  Sevier  was  silent,  appeared  abstracted, 
thoughtful,  and,  at  this  time  only  in  his  whole  public  life, 
morose  and  ascetic.  Elholm’s  vivacity  failed  to  arouse  him. 
He  communicated  little  to  that  officer  ; he  said  nothing  to 
his  men.  He  took  no  precaution,  suggested  no  plan,  either 


412 


BOTH  PARTIES  INDISPOSED  TO  BLOODSHED. 


of  attack  or  defence.  The  enemies  of  his  country  were  not 
before  him,  and  the  patriot  Governor  repressed  the  aspirations 
of  the  “ commander-in-chief  of  the  army  of  the  State  of 
Franklin.”  In  no  other  instance  has  he  given  a livelier  ex- 
hibition of  the  true  moral  sublime  of  patriotism. 

The  example  of  Sevier  was  contagious.  The  energy  and 
skill  of  Elholm  effected  nothing.  They  could  not  convert 
American  citizens  into  fratricides. 

A similar  spirit  actuated  the  adverse  party.  Their  coura- 
geous leader  acted  only  on  the  defensive.  When  the  siege 
was  raised,  no  immediate  pursuit  was  made.  The  besiegers 
and  the  besieged,  were  soon  after  friends,  and  peaceable 
neighbours.  It  is  still  strange,  under  all  the  circumstances, 
that  so  few  of  both  parties  were  killed  or  wounded.  This 
has  sometimes  been  ascribed  to  and  accounted  for,  by  the 
heavy  snovv  storm  which  occurred  during  the  siege.  One 
of  the  besieged,  the  late  Dr.  Taylor,  of  Carter  county,  may 
explain  it  in  his  own  words.  “We  did  not  go  there  to 
fight.  Neither  party  intended  to  uo  that.  Many  on  both 
sides  were  unarmed,  and  some  who  had  guns,  did  not  even 
load  them.  Most  of  us  went  to  prevent  mischief,  and  did  not 
intend  to  let  the  neighbours  kill  one  another.  Our  men  shot 
into  the  air,  and  Sevier’s  men  into  the  corners  of  the  house. 
As  to  the  storm  of  snow  keeping  the  men  from  taking  a sure 
aim,  it  is  all  a mistake.  Both  sides  had  the  best  marksmen  in 
the  world,  who  had  often  killed  a deer,  and  shot  it  in  the  head 
too,  when  a heavier  snow  was  falling.  The  men  did  not  try  to 
hit  any  body.  They  could  easily  have  done  so  if  they  had 
been  enemies.” 

The  late  Colonel  Joseph  Hamilton,  senior,  speaking  of  this 
affair,  says  : 

Col.  Pemberton,  of  Sullivan,  to  whom  an  express  had  been  sent  by 
Tipton,  soliciting  relief,  arrived  with  thirty  men.  These  he  stationed 
in  front  of  Sevier’s  camp,  unperceived  by  the  latter.  Pemberton  ordered 
a general  discharge  of  the  rifles  of  his  party.  The  discharge  was  made 
intentionally,  to  avoid  shooting  any  of  Sevier’s  men. 

On  the  approach  of  Sevier’s  troops,  Captain  John  Cowan  was  sent 
in  with  a flag,  proposing  some  terms  of  compromise.  This  was  refused 
the  first,  second  and  third  times.  After  the  reinforcement  from  Sulli- 


ERROR  OF  THE  DATE  OF  THE  SIEGE. 


413 


van,  Captain  Cowan  was  taken  prisoner ; and  refusing  to  give  bail  for 
his  appearance  before  a civil  court,  was  retained  in  custody  of  Colonel 
Tipton  several  days.  Captain  Handley,  at  length,  prevailed  with  Tip- 
ton,  and  Cowan  was  released.* 

The  date  of  the  affair  before  Tipton’s  house,  as  given  in 
the  account  of  it  taken  from  Haywood,  is  the  third  of  Feb- 
ruary. This  is  incorrect.  It  was,  certainly,  several  days 
later  than  the  twenty-fifth  of  February.  The  writer  has  in 
his  possession,  a military  despatch  from  Governor  Sevier, 
which  is  here  given  : 

Major  Taylor’s, f 15th  February,  1788. 

Dear  Captain: — I am  informed  that  the  Tipton  party  have  got  very 
insolent,  and  have  been  guilty  of  several  cruelties  and  barbarous  ac- 
tions. I have  ordered  fifteen  men  out  of  each  company,  to  turn  out; 
and  I am  well  satisfied  that  the  men  of  Sevier  county  will  turn  out 
bravely.  I beg  you  will  use  your  influence  to  get  as  many  men  out  of 
your  neighbourhood  to  turn  out,  as  may  be  in  your  power.  I shall  ex- 
pect your  company  up.  I am  satisfied  that  a small  exertion  will  settle 
the  matter  to  our  satisfaction.  Pray  speak  to  Mr.  Allen,  and  let  us  raise 
as  many  men  as  in  our  power.  For  further  particulars,  I beg  leave  to 
refer  you  to  the  bearer. 

I am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obdt.  humble  servant, 

John  Sevier. 

Captain  John  Zahaun,  Caswell  County,  Franklin  State. 

Favoured  per  James  Sevier. 

It  would  require  two  or  three  days  for  the  Governor’s  mes- 
senger to  reach  Captain  Zahaun’sJ  residence  ; fully  as  many  to 
notify  to  the  militia  the  purport  of  the  despatch,  and  to  assem- 
ble them  together  ; and  as  many  more  to  reach  the  Governor’s 
head-quarters,  ten  miles  above  Jonesboro’.  Sevier  county, 
on  whose  military  ardour  the  Governor  so  confidently  relied, 
embraced  much  of  the  present  county  of  Blount,  a distance 
offmore  than  one  hundred  miles  from  Jonesboro’.  It  is  known 
that  Colonel  Weir  and  others  from  that  county,  were  present 
at  the  siege,  and  it  is  not  probable,  that  from  the  date  of 
the  despatch  to  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  troops  at  head- 
quarters, less  than  two  weeks  had  elapsed.  It  was,  cer- 
tainly, very  late  in  February,  or  perhaps,  early  in  March, 
when  the  engagement  took  place.  The  late  James  Sevier, 

*Manuscripts  before  me. 

+ Near  Jonesboro’. 

| Since  known  as  Sehorn’s  Ferry,  above  Dandridge. 


414 


SEVIER  WRITES  TO  GOVERNOR  OF  GEORGIA, 


of  Washington  county,  believed  the  date  was  February  28. 
This  accords  with  the  ^following  despatches  from  Colonel 
Tipton,  and  with  a letter  to  be  hereafter  given,  from  Go- 
vernor Sevier  himself. 

On  Monday,  February  25th,  Colonel  Tipton,  writing  to 
Colonel  Robert  Love,  says  : 

“ The  rebels  are  again  rising;  Sevier  is  now  making  his  last  effort ; 
he  has  given  orders  to  his  officers  below,  to  draft  fifteen  men  out  of  each 
company,  and  take  property  from  those  that  will  not  serve,  and  give  to 
those  that  will.  This  day  they  are  to  meet  at  Greene ; to-morrow  at 
Jonesboro’;  and  Wednesday,  if  not  before,  make  the  push  here.  I 
therefore  request  you  to  give  orders  to  the  officers  in  the  Cove,  to  collect 
their  men  with  the  greatest  expedition,  and  march  to  my  house  to-mor- 
row, fixed  in  ample  manner;  as  I purpose  to  defend  this  quarter,  with- 
out making  any  excursions,  unless  I can  get  further  information. 

I am,  sir,  with  respect,  yours  to  serve, 

John  Tipton. 

N.  B. — Let  no  time  be  lost. 

Though  now  no  longer  the  Governor  of  Franklin,  and  in- 
deed without  office  and  authority,  and  a mere  private  citizen, 
Sevier  continued  to  correspond  with  his  quondam  allies  in 
Georgia.  He  still  dates  from 

Franklin,  10th  April,  1788. 

Sir  : — Yours,  of  the  19  th  of  February,  I had  the  honour  to  receive. 
In  our  present  confused  situation  of  affairs,  I am  not  able  to  reply  with 
that  accuracy  and  satisfaction  to  your  Excellency  I could  wish.  Our 
country  is,  at  this  time,  almost  in  a state  of  anarchy,  occasioned,  as  we 
suggest,  by  the  North-Carolinians  stimulating  a party  to  act  in  a hostile 
manner  against  us. 

Agreeable  to  our  Constitution,  my  duration  in  office  continued  no 
longer  than  the  1st  of  March  last,  and,  in  our  present  embarrassed  con- 
dition, our  Assembly  have,  as  yet,  failed  to  make  any  new  appointment. 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  I inform  you  that  a great  number  of  the  peo- 
ple of  this  country  discover  a ready  disposition  to  aid  your  state  against 
your  savage  enemies  ; and  let  matters  occur  as  they  may,  if  I am  spared 
I purpose  joining  your  army  with  a considerable  number  of  volunteers, 
to  act  in  concert  with  you  against  the  Creeks,  though  many  of 
our  enemies  are  making  use  of  every  diabolical  plan  in  their  power,  in 
order  to  destroy  our  laudable  intention. 

I beg  your  Excellency  will  be  so  obliging  as  to  advise  us,  from  time 
to  time,  of  your  intended  operations,  and  should  your  campaign  be  pro- 
crastinated until  the  fall  season,  I am  of  opinion  you  will  get  a much 
greater  number  of  men  from  this  country. 

During  the  time  Governor  Sevier  administered  the  affairs 
of  the  Franklin  Government,  little  disturbances  existed  upon 


AND  REPAIRS  TO  THE  FRONTIER. 


415 


the  frontier.  The  Cherokees  had  learned,  by  past  experience, 
the  danger  of  hostilities  with  the  Franklin  people,  when 
commanded  by  an  officer  of  such  vigour  and  capacity,  as  in 
all  his  campaigns  had  been  manifested  by  Sevier.  The  In- 
dians, until  his  government  was  overthrown,  stayed,  for  the 
most  part,  quietly  in  their  villages,  and  permitted  the  settle- 
ments to  be  extended  rapidly,  and  with  little  interruption, 
from  the  lower  parts  of  Greene  and  Spencer  counties,  to  the 
western  limits  of  what  is  now  Knox  county,  north  of  Hol- 
ston,  and  Blount  county,  south  of  it.  But  from  the  commence- 
ment of  this  year,  the  Cherokees  having  constant  informa- 
tion of  the  difficulties  existing  amongst  their  white  neigh- 
bours, had  manifested  evident  tokens  of  dissatisfaction,  and 
a general  desire  for  a renewal  of  hostilities.  During  the 
short  absence  of  such  of  the  gunmen  as  had  gone  from  the 
lower  settlements  to  Sevier’s  head-quarters,  some  mischief 
was  done  on  the  frontier,  and  the  traders  all  reported  an  ap- 
proaching Indian  invasion.  Messengers  were  immediately 
despatched  to  the  upper  counties  after  Sevier,  carrying  with 
them  representations  of  the  impending  danger,  and  urging 
his  immediate  return  to  the  exposed  border  settlements.  These 
he  received  just  after  his  fruitless  siege  of  Tipton’s  house, 
and  when  the  disasters  of  the  day  hung  like  a pall  around 
him,  and  ulcerated  his  wounded  spirit.  In  a moment  Sevier 
was  himself  again  ; elastic,  brave,  energetic,  daring  and  pa- 
triotic. At  the  head  of  a body  of  mounted  riflemen,  he  was 
at  once  upon  the  frontier  to  guard  and  protect  its  most  de- 
fenceless points. 

After  the  departure  of  Sevier  and  his  adherents,  Col.  Tip 
ton,  on  the  11th  March,  issued  again  to  Col  Robert  Love  this 
order : 

“You  will  cause  the  men  of  the  Greasy  Cove  to  be  notified  to  appear 
at  my  house  on  Saturday  evening  next,  well  equipped,  with  arms  and 
ammunition,  and  six  days  provision.  Those  that  have  arms,  etc.,  and 
do  not  comply,  take  and  give  to  those  that  will  serve.” 

Colonel  Tipton,  with  a number  of  troops,  were,  on  the  16th 
of  March,  collected  at  Abednego  Inman’s.  From  that  place, 
he  wrote  to  General  Kennedy,  a friend  of  Sevier’s,  that  “ my 
business  is  not  to  disturb  or  molest  the  inhabitants,  but 


416 


CONCILIATORY  CONDUCT  OF  GENERAL  MARTIN. 


rather  to  protect  them  ; and,  sir,  as  I am  persuaded  that  you 
have  the  interest  of  the  country  at  large  at  heart,  if  it  should 
coincide  with  your  approbation,  that  you  should  bring  the 
Commissions  to  Greene  Court-House  to-morrow,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  establishing  a court,  so  that  the  inhabitants  may  be 
exempted  of  the  penalty  prescribed  by  law.” 

General  Martin,  who  now  commanded  the  brigade  of 
North-Carolina  militia  west  of  the  mountain,  also  wrote  to 
General  Kennedy,  March  21,  1788. 

“ I am  greatly  distressed  and  alarmed  at  the  late  proceedings  of  our 
countrymen  and  friends,  and  must  beg  your  friendly  interposition,  in 
order  to  bring  about  a reconciliation,  which,  you  well  know,  was  my 
object  in  accepting  the  brigadier’s  commission.  I am,  perhaps,  as  little 
afraid  of  stepping  forth  in  the  field  of  action  as  any  other  man  ; but  I 
would  be  sorry  to  imbrue  my  hands  in  the  blood  of  my  countrymen 
and  friends,  and  will  take  every  method  in  my  power  to  prevent  any 
thing  of  that  nature.  In  our  present  situation,  nothing  will  do  but  a 
submission  to  the  laws  of  North-Carolina,  which  I most  earnestly  re- 
commend to  the  people.  You  well  know  this  is  the  only  way  to  bring 
about  a separation,  and  also  a reconciliation  for  our  worthy  friend,  whose 
situation  at  this  time  is  very  disagreeable.  I most  sensibly  feel  for  him, 
and  will  go  very  great  lengths  to  serve  him.  Pray  see  him  often,  and 
give  him  all  the  comfort  you  can. 

“ 1 am  told  that  a certain  officer  says,  that  if  I issue  an  order  for  a 
reconciliation,  that  it  shall  not  be  obeyed  ; but  I shall  let  that  gentleman 
know  that  I am  not  to  be  trifled  with.  Pray  write  me  all  what  the 
people  will  do,  and  whether  you  will  accept  your  commission,  which  I hope 
you  will.  Have  the  militia  immediately  olfi  ered  and  prepared  for 
action,  as  I expect  a general  Indian  war  shortly.  Please  give  my  best 
respects  to  the  people  in  general.  Tell  them  my  object  is  reconciliation, 
not  war.” 

There  were  few — perhaps  none — even  of  the  adherents  cf 
the  old  state,  whose  feelings  and  wishes,  in  reference  to  Se- 
vier, were  not  in  exact  consonance  with  those  expressed  by 
General  Martin  in  this  letter.  Its  tone,  its  moderation,  its 
wisdom,  its  sympathy  for  a soldier  and  a patriot,  constitute 
the  highest  eulogy  upon  his  own  good  sense,  his  patriotism 
and  his  good  feelings.  They  cannot  be  too  much  admired  or 
imitated.  They  saved  the  country  from  further  tumult  and 
violence,  and  all  opposition,  on  the  part  of  Franklin  to  North- 
Carolina,  ceased. 

At  this  moment  of  impending  tumult  and  civil  discord,  a 
missionary  of  the  Christian  religion  appeared,  unexpectedly, 


BISHOP  ASBURY’S  OPPORTUNE  ARRIVAL. 


417 


in  the  midst  of  these  conflicting  elements  of  excited  passion 
and  social  and  political  disorganization.  We  extract  from 
Bishop  Asbury’s  Journal:  “April  28,1788. — We  reached 

the  head  of  Watauga  ; came  to  Greer’s.  The  people  are  in 
disorder  about  the  Old  and  New  State ; two  or  three  men  have 
been  killed.  At  Nelson’s,  I had  a less  audience  than  was 
expected  ; the  people  having  been  called  away  on  an  expe- 
dition against  the  new-state-men.  Preached  on  Hebrews, 
vi.  chapter,  11th  and  12th  verses.”  Shortly  afterwards,  he 
preached  “ at  Owens’s,  on  Psalm  148,  verses  17,  18,  19,  with 
some  fervour.  Came  to  Huffacre’s  and  Key  wood’s,  where  we 
held  Conference  three  days  ; and  I preached  each  day.  The 
weather  was  cold ; the  room  without  lire,  and  otherwise  uncom- 
fortable. We,  nevertheless,  made  out  to  keep  our  seats  until 
we  had  finished  the  essential  part  of  our  business.”  This 
first  Conference  west  of  the  mountain — the  novelty  of  such 
an  assemblage  in  the  wilds  of  Watauga — its  mission  of  be- 
nignity and  peace — the  calm  dignity  and  unpretending  sim- 
plicity of  the  venerable  Bishop,  all  conspired  to  soothe,  quiet 
and  harmonize  the  excited  masses,  and  to  convert  partizans 
and  factionists  into  brothers  and  friends. 

In  the  meantime,  Governor  Caswell’s  term  of  office  having 
expired,  Samuel  Johnston  was  elected  his  successor.  His 
administration,  it  was  hoped,  might  effect  the  restoration  of 
harmony  in  the  revolted  counties,  which  the  conciliatory 
policy  of  Governor  Caswell  had  failed  to  do.  He  was  kept 
advised  of  the  state  of  affairs,  west  of  the  mountains,  and  in 
the  following  letter  from  Colonel  Martin,  it  was  recom- 
mended to  send  troops  from  North-Carolina,  to  quell  existing 
disturbances  in  Franklin : 

Long  Island,  24th  March,  1788. 

Sir: — The  confusion  of  this  country  induces  me  to  lay  before  your 
Excellency,  by  express,  our  present  situation,  which  is  truly  alarming. 

I sent,  on  Saturday  last,  to  Sevier  and  his  party,  requiring  them  to 
lay  down  their  arms,  and  submit  to  the  laws  of  North-Carolina,  but 
can  get  no  answer,  only  from  Colonel  Joseph  Hardin,  which  I forward ; 
though  I know,  that  on  Friday  last,  they  met  in  Convention,  to  concert 
some  plan.  The  bearer  of  my  express  to  them,  informs  me,  that  he 
understood  that  Sevier  had  gone  towards  French  Broad,  since  the  10th 
instant;  that  Colonel  Kennedy,  with  several  others,  had  gone  the  same 
way,  to  carry  on  an  expedition  against  the  Cherokee  Indians,  which,  I 
27 


418  GOV.  JOHNSTON  DIRECTS  THE  APPREHENSION  OF  SEVIER. 


am  well  assured,  wish  to  he  at  peace  ; except  the  Chickamauga  party, 
which  could  he  easily  driven  out  of  that  country,  if  your  Excellency 
should  recommend  it.  I am  somewhat  doubtful,  that  Sevier  and  his 
party  are  embodying,  under  the  colour  of  an  Indian  expedition,  to 
amuse  us,  and  that  their  real  object  is,  to  make  another  attack  on  the 
citizens  of  this  state ; to  prevent  which,  I have  ordered  the  different 
colonels  to  have  their  men  in  good  order,  until  I can  hear  from  your  Ex- 
cellency ; at  which  time,  I hope,  you  will  give  me  directions  in  what 
manner  to  proceed,  in  this  uncommon  and  critical  situation  ; for  which 
I shall  wait,  till  the  return  of  the  express,  before  I shall  take  any  deci- 
sive steps. 

Should  the  Franks  still  persist  to  oppose  the  laws  of  this  state, 
would  it  not  be  well  to  order  General  McDowell  to  give  some  assist- 
ance ? as  a few  men  from  there  will  convince  them,  that  North-Carolina 
is  determined  to  protect  her  citizens. 

Representations  continued  to  be  made  to  Governor  John- 
ston unfavourable  to  Sevier’s  conduct  and  motives,  which 
induced  him  to  issue  to  Judge  Campbell,  the  instructions 
following : 

Hillsborough,  29th  July,  1788. 

Sir : — It  has  been  represented  to  the  Executive,  that  John  Sevier, 
who  styles  himself  Captain-General  of  the  State  of  Franklin,  has  been 
guilty  of  high  treason,  in  levying  troops  to  oppose  the  laws  and  govern- 
ment  of  this  state,  and  has  with  an  armed  force  put  to  death  several  j 
good  citizens.  If  these  facts  shall  appear  to  you  by  the  affidavit  of 
credible  persons,  you  will  issue  your  warrant  to  apprehend  the  said  I 
John  Sevier,  and  in  case  he  cannot  he  sufficiently  secured  for  trial  in 
the  District  of  Washington,  order  him  to  be  committed  to  the  public 
gaol. 

At  the  same  time  an  order  was  forwarded  to  General  Mar- 
tin, to  assist  the  sheriff  in  the  apprehension  of  Sevier.  Go- 
vernor Johnston  says  further,  to  General  Martin  : 

“ Sevier,  from  the  state  of  his  conduct,  set  forth  in  your  letter,  ap- 
pears to  be  incorrigible,  and  I fear  we  shall  have  no  peace  in  your 
quarter,  till  he  is  proceeded  against  to  the  last  extremity.” 

These  repeated  accusations  of  Sevier  and  of  those  impli- 
cated with  him,  in  the  charges  of  barbarous  and  cruel  con- 
duct, are  to  be  ascribed,  in  some  instances,  to  political  ani- 
mosity— and  in  others,  to  exaggeration  of  his  conduct,  and  a 
misapprehension  of  his  designs.  He  was  now  really  a pri- 
vate citizen,  without  command  or  authority,  and  yet,  as  will 
be  hereafter  seen,  he  was  constantly  at  the  head  of  troops— 
volunteers,  who  selected  him  as  their  commander,  and 


JOHN  SEVIER  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


419 


who  followed  his  standard  and  obeyed  his  orders,  as  fully 
and  as  cheerfully,  as  if  he  were  yet  in  power.  The 
frontier  people  knew  that  they  could  not  be  safe,  but  by  their 
own  exertions  and  military  services.  They  needed  a leader 
to  co  mbine  their  strength,  discipline  tjie  troops,  project  expe- 
ditions, secure  their  exposed  stations,  expel  their  Indian  ene- 
mies, and  give  quiet  and  safety  to  a scattered  and  defenceless 
people.  This  responsible  duty  they  imposed  upon  Sevier 
He  could  not  decline  the  position  thus  assigned  him  by  ac- 
clamation. He  assumed  it  cheerfully,  and  executed  its  du- 
ties well. 

Sevier  was  now  on  the  frontier,  and  though  invested  with 
no  official  power,  the  Ex-Governor  and  one  of  his  Franklin 
officers,  issued  this  address. 

“ Major  Houston’s  Station,  8th  of  July,  T788. 

“ To  the  Inhabitants  in  general : — Yesterday  we  crossed  Tennessee 
with  a small  party  of  men,  and  destroyed  a town  called  Toquo.  On 
our  return  we  discovered  large  trails  of  Indians  making  their  way  to- 
wards this  place.  We  are  of  the  opinion  their  numbers  could  not  be 
less  than  five  hundred.  We  beg  leave  to  recommend,  that  every 
Station  will  be  on  their  guard  ; that  also,  every  good  man  that  can  be 
spared,  will  voluntarily  turn  out  and  repair  to  this  place,  with  the  ut- 
most expedition,  in  order  to  tarry  for  a few  days  in  the  neighbourhood 
and  repel  tlie  enemy,  if  possible.  We  intend  waiting  at  this  place  some 
days  with  the  few  men  now  with  us,  as  we  cannot  reconcile  it  to  our 
own  feelings,  to  leave  a people  who  appear  to  be  in  such  great  distress. 

John  Sevier, 

James  Hubbert. 

N.  B.  It  will  be  necessary  for  those  who  will  be  so  grateful  as  to  come 
to  the  assistance  of  this  place,  to  furnish  themselves  with  a few  days  pro- 
visions, as  the  inhabitants  of  this  Fort  are  greatly  distressed  with  the 
Indians. 

J.  S. 

J.  H. 

A minute  account  of  Sevier’s  further  services  is  given 
by  Haywood,  from  which  we  copy  or  condense  : 

“ The  Cherokees  still  burned  with  a desire  for  war.  It  seemed,  in- 
deed, as  if  nothing  could  ensure  peace  but  their  total  extinction. 
The  knowledge  of  their  hostile  designs  was  made  public  by  their  massa- 
cre of  Kirk’s  family.  In  the  month  of  May,  1788,  Kirk  lived  with  his 
family  on  the  south-west  side  of  Little  River,  twelve  miles  south  of 
Knoxville  ; whilst  he  was  absent  from  home,  an  Indian  by  the  name 
of  Slim  Tom,  known  to  the  family,  came  to  them  and  requested  to  be 
supplied  with  provisions,  which  they  gave  him,  and  he  withdrew  ; hav- 
ing seen  who  were  there,  and  the  situation  they  were  in  with  regard  to 


420 


SEVIER  AT  THE  HEAD  OF  VOLUNTEERS, 


defence,  lie  soon  after  returned  from  the  woods  with  a party  of  Indians, 
and  fell  upon  the  family — massacred  the  whole  of  them,  eleven  in  number, 
and  left  them  dead  in  the  yard.  Not  long  afterwards,  Kirk  coming 
home,  saw  his  dead  family  lying-  on  the  ground ; he  gave  the  alarm  to 
the  neighbourhood,  and  the  militia  assembled  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Sevier,  to  the  number  of  several  hundred;  they  met  at  Hunter’s 
station,  on  Nine  Mile  Creek,  which  runs  into  Holston  on  the  south  side ; 
thence  they  marched  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Sevier  to  the  Ei- 
wassee  River,  and  early  in  the  morning  came  upon  a town  which  had 
been  burnt  in  17*79  ; the  Indians  who  were  in  it,  fled,  and  took  to  the 
river ; many  were  killed  in  the  town  ; some  were  made  prisoners,  and 
many  were  fired  upon  and  killed  in  the  river ; they  burnt  the  town,  and 
returned  to  Hunter’s  station.  On  the  next  day  they  went  up  the  Ten- 
nessee, to  the  towns  on  that  river,  killed  several  Indians,  burnt  the  towns, 
and  returned  to  the  station.  Tallassee,  upon  the  upper  part  of  the  Ten- 
nessee, was  one  of  these  towms.  The  Indians  fled  from  their  different 
towns  into  the  mountains,  were  pursued  by  the  troops  and  many  of  them 
killed.  Abraham,  a friendly  Indian,  with  his  son,  who  lived  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Tennessee,  had  declared  publicly,  that  if  the  Indians  went  to 
war,  he  would  remain  at  his  own  house,  and  never  quit  it.  When  the 
troops  came  to  the  south  side,  Hubbard  sent  for  Abraham  and  his  son 
to  come  over  the  river  to  the  troops  ; they  came  accordingly ; he  di- 
rected them  to  return  and  bring  with  them  the  Tassel  and  another  In- 
dian, that  he  might  hold  a Talk  with  them  ; they  also  held  up  a flag  invi- 
ting those  Indians  to  come  to  them  ; they  did  so,  and  were  put  into  a 
house.  .Sevier  was  absent  for  some  time  on  the  business  of  his  com-  j 
mand  ; in  the  time  of  hia  sbsence,  those  who  were  left  behind,  permitted 
young  Kirk,  the  son  of  him  whose  family  was  killed,  to  go  with  a toma- 
hawk into  the  house  where  the  Indians  were  enclosed,  Hubbard  being  , 
with  him  ; there  Kirk  stuck  his  tomahawk  into  the  head  of  one  of  j 
them,  who  fell  dead  at  his  feet,  the  white  people  on  the  outside  of- the  j 
house  looking  in  upon  them.  The  other  Indians,  five  or  six  in  number, 
seeing  this,  immediately  understood  the  fate  intended  for  them ; each 
man  cast  his  countenance  and  eyes  to  the  ground,  and  one  after  the  other 
received  from  the  hands  of  Kirk,  upon  the  upper  part  of  the  head,  the  11 
fatal  stroke  of  the  tomahawk,  and  were  all  killed.  Sevier  returning,  saw 
the  tragical  effects  of  this  rash  act,  and  on  remonstrating  against  it,  was 
answered  by  Kirk,  who  was  supported  by  some  of  the  troops,  that  if  he  | 
had  suffered  from  the  murderous  hands  of  the  Indians,  as  he  (Kirk)  had,  j, 
that  he  (Sevier)  would  have  acted  in  the  same  way.  Sevier,  unable  to  , 
punish  him,  was  obliged  to  overlook  the  flagitious  deed,  and  acquiesced 
in  the  reply. 

“ It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  history,  in  the  pursuit  of  truth,  is 
obliged  to  record,  to  the  shame  and  confusion  of  ourselves,  a deed  of : 
such  superlative  atrocity,  perfidy,  cowardice  and  inhumanity.  Surely 
something  is  due  to  wounded  feelings,  and  some  allowance  is  to  be  made 
for  the  conduct  of  men  acting  under  the  smart  of  great  and  recent  suf- 
fering. But  never  should  it  be  forgotten  by  an  American  soldier,  that 
his  honour  must  be  unspotted ; that  a noble  generosity  must  be  the  regu- 
lator of  his  actions  ; that  inviolable  fidelity,  in  all  that  is  promised  an 


INVADES  AND  TUNISHES  THE  CIIEROKEES. 


421 


enemy,  is  a duty  of  sacred  obligation,  and  that  a beneficent  and  delicate 
behaviour  to  his  captive,  is  the  brightest  ornament  of  his  character. 

“Suspicion,  ever  alive  toward  the  conduct  of  military  commanders,  at- 
tributed to  Colonel  Sevier  a voluntary  absence,  whilst  many  of  those 
who  were  present,  acquitted  him  of  all  presentiment  of  the  horrid  act. 
Colonel  Sevier  never  acted  with  cruelty  before  or  since ; he  often  com- 
manded ; he  was  never  accused  of  inhumanity  ; he  could  not  have 
given  his  consent  on  this  occasion.  Considering  existing  circumstances, 
he  could  not  maintain  as  'much  authority  now,  as  at  other  times  ; he 
was  routed,  proscribed  and  driven  from  his  home ; he  took  shelter 
amongst  the  frontier  inhabitants,  who  now  composed  his  little  army  ; he 
relied  upon  them  for  safety  ; they  consulted  only  the  exasperated  feel- 
ings of  the  moment,  and  had  never  been  instructed  in  the  rules  of  re- 
fined warfare. 

“ Captain  Gillespie,  on  arriving  at  the  river,  had  also  gone  off  with  his 
company  in  search  of  the  enemy,  by  order  of  the  commanding  officer; 
he  went  up  the  river  on  the  south  side,  and  crossed  where  the  Indians 
were  on  the  north  ; he  pursued  them  several  miles  and  took  some  pack- 
horses  ; on  his  return  the  Indians  were  everywhere  in  motion ; he  re- 
crossed the  river  to  the  south  side,  at  the  place  where  he  had  just  be- 
fore crossed.  As  he  ascended  the  bank  on  the  south  side,  he  saw  an 
Indian  named  Alexander  Mayberry,  and  hailed  him,  who  stopped  and 
gave  up  his  gun,  and  surrendered  himself  a prisoner.  Captain  Gilles- 
pie then  went  towards  the  army  which  he  had  left,  and  as  he  proceeded, 
was  met  by  a company  of  soldiers  who  insisted  upon  killing  his  prisoner. 
Captain  Gillespie  told  them  that  he  had  taken  the  Indian  a prisoner,  and 
that  he  should  not  be  killed  whilst  in  his  possession-,  they,  still 
persisting,  and  manifesting  a determined  purpose  to  put  the  prisoner  to 
death,  Gillespie  dismounted  from  his  horse,  and  placing  himself  between 
them  and  the  Indian,  cocked  his  gun,  and  gave  them  the  most  positive 
assurances  that  he  would  instantly  pour  the  contents  of  it  into  the  heart 
of  that  man  who  dared  to  fire  upon  the  Indian.  The  resolute  air  of  his 
countenance  convinced  them  that  he  intended  what  he  said ; they  de- 
sisted and  went  off ; he  led  his  prisoner  into  camp,  and  delivered  him  to 
Colonel  Sevier,  who  removed  him  to  Hunter’s  station,  whence  he  was 
sent  home  in  safety. 

“ The  massacre  of  Kirk’s  family  was  followed  in  quick  succession  by 
that  of  many  others.  A man  of  the  name  of  English,  was  killed  near 
Bean’s  station,  and  James  Kirkpatrick  between  Bean’s  station  and  Hol- 
ston  ; some  were  killed  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Bull  Run,  and  others  at 
places  north  of  Knoxville,  and  many  others  on  the  roads  to  West  Ten- 
nessee and  Kentucky.  The  people  were  compelled  to  live  in  forts ; they 
built  Houston’s  station,  sixteen  miles  south  of  Knoxville;  not  far  from 
the  place  where  Maryville  now  stands.  General  Martin  sent  a party  to 
protect  the  inhabitants  of  the  station,  under  the  command  of  Major 
Thomas  Stewart,  which  went  to  the  station  and  garrisoned  it. 

“Captain  John  Fay  ne,  with  some  enlisted  men  who  composed  apart  of 
the  guard  under  the  command  of  Captain  Stewart,  and  some  of  the  set- 
tlers who,  turned  out  with  them,  were  sent  out  as  scouts  to  reconnoitre 
the  adjacent  country  ; they  crossed  the  Tennessee  River,  and  entered  into 


422 


SITICO  DEFEAT, 


an  apple  orchard,  where  carelessly  they  began  to  gather  the  fruit ; the 
Indians  were  lying  in  wait,  and  had  suffered  them  to  march  into  the 
orchard  without  molestation.  Whilst  in  the  act  of  gathering  fruit,  the 
Indians  surrounded  them,  drove  them  into  the  river,  killed  sixteen  of  the 
whites  dead  on  the  ground,  took  one  prisoner,  and  wounded  four,  who, 
with  difficulty,  effected  their  escape.  The  scene  of  this  tragedy  was  at 
a town  called  Sitico.  Captain  Evans  raised  thirty  men,  who,  with  him- 
self, lived  a considerable  distance  from  the  place,  and  was  at  it  in  the 
evening  of  the  third  day.  That  night,  being  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
Tennessee,  they  buried  the  dead  w'hom  they  found  on  that  side  of  the 
river,  marched  back  about  one  mile  and  encamped  on  high  ground; 
Major  Stewart  came  in  also  with  the  enlisted  men  of  the  station ; these 
were  under  his  command,  but  the  volunteer  company  was  exclusively 
under  that  of  Captain  Evans.  Next  morning  they  crossed  the  river  at 
the  upper  end  of  Chota,  and  thence  to  Sitico,  where  the  massacre  took 
place  ; there  they  found  one  white  man  lying  on  his  back  with  his  belly 
ript  open  ; four  men  lying  on  a sand  bar  with  their  bellies  also  ript  up, 
and  their  bowels  floating  on  the  water ; the  head  of  one  man  was  cut 
off,  and  his  heart  and  bowels  were  torn  out  and  strewed  about  on  the 
ground  ; after  burying  the  dead,  they  returned  home.  Such  of  the 
company  in  the  orchard  as  survived  the  massacre,  had  fled  towards 
Knoxville ; these  the  Indians  had  pursued  to  within  five  miles  of  that 
place,  and  in  the  pursuit  killed  a great  part  of  them.  They  then  deter- 
mined to  attack  Houston’s  station,  and  with  that  view  marched  to  it,  but 
were  beaten  off  by  the  garrison.  Colonel  Sevier  was  at  this  time  within 
twenty-five  miles  of  the  mouth  of  ITolston,  and  was  marching  diligently 
to  the  defence  of  Houston’s  station,  which  he  had  been  informed  the  In- 
dians intended  to  reduce,  but  he  had  not  yet  heard  of  the  attack  which 
they  had  actually  made  upon  it.  He  unexpectedly  met  one  hundred  of 
the  retreating  Indians,  fired  upon  them,  compelled  them  to  give  way, 
and  continued  his  march  to  the  station ; thence  he  immediately  went 
home,  and  without  delay  convened  Captain  John  Craig  and  his  company, 
and  one  or  two  other  companies,  and  at  the  special  request  of  Colonel 
Sevier,  he  was  joined  also  by  Captain  Evans  and  his  company,  who  was 
requested  to  do  so  by  an  express  sent  for  the  purpose.  Captain  Evans 
took  post  in  the  rear  of  the  front  guard  : as  the  army  passed  through 
Sitico,  Evans  seeing  an  old  Indian  slip  into  a house  between  daylight 
and  sunrise,  took  with  him  John  Ish,  and  rode  up  to  the  house,  in  which 
he  saw  sitting  an  old  man,  and  upon  dismounting  and  going  into 
the  house,  saw  in  it  two  young  Indian  fellows,  both  of  whom  he  and  Ish 
killed,  and  rejoined  the  army.  It  marched  constantly,  and  arrived  at  Chii- 
howee ; at  this  place  they  found  Indians,  had  a skirmish  with  them,  kill- 
ing thirteen  dead  on  the  ground;  the  whites  receiving  no  damage  on 
their  side  ; they  all  returned  home  in  safety.  A few  weeks  after  this, 
Evans  raised  a volunteer  company,  and  other  Captains  also  raised  com- 
panies to  make  an  expedition  into  the  Indian  nation  ; at  their  solicitation 
Colonel  Sevier  took  the  command  of  them ; they  crossed  the  Tennessee 
River  and  went  through  Big  Tellico  town  ; thence  crossing  the  Unaca 
mountain,  they  entered  the  Valley  towns  ; whilst  the  army  marched  on, 
Captain  Hubbard  took  ten  men  with  him,  and  following  a small  path,. 


AND  OTHER  INDIAN  BATTLES. 


423 


they  came  to  a house  where  were  seven  or  eight  Indians,  who  ran  out  of 
the  house,  when  the  whites  killed  five  of  them,  took  one  small  prisoner, 
and  returned  to  the  army.  When  the  army  halted  at  noon,  Captain 
Evans  discovered  an  Indian  coming  down  the  ridge ; he  mounted  his 
horse,  and  taking  two  or  three  men  with  him,  rode  towards  the  Indian  ; 
he  fired  upon  Evans  and  his  men,  the  ball  passing  through  the  hunting 
shirt  of  one  of  them,  and  then  ran  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  charging 
his  gun,  gave  them  a second  fire  ; one  of  the  white  men  fired  at  him, 
and  shot  off  his  fore-finger ; the  Indian  again  charged  his  piece,  but 
when  he  attempted  to  prime,  the  blood  ran  so  fast  into  the  pan  of  the 
fire-lock  that  he  could  not  effect  it ; the  whites  rode  up  to  him  and  shot 
him  down.  Marching  four  miles  further,  they  encamped  in  hearing  of 
the  crowing  of  a cock,  from  a to\yn  that  was  six  miles  long  ; but  per- 
ceiving that  the  enemy  had  left  it  at  the  approach  of  the  army,  Sevier, 
with  the  army,  in  the  morning  took  a different  route,  which  led  them  to 
the  upper  end  of  another  town,  where  the  corn  w'as  in  the  silk  ; the  whole 
of  this  the  army  cut  down  before  them.  The  Indians  kept  up  a constant 
fire,  but  the  distance  was  too  great  to  do  it  wdth  any  effect.  .After  en- 
camping here  all  night,  Evans,  with  ten  men,  was  sent  to  reconnoitre  the 
confihes  of  the  camp ; on  the  top  of  a ridge  he  discovered  the  signs  of 
Indians  ; a large  body  of  them  had  been  there,  and  had  thrown  off  their 
old  moccasins  and  put  on  new  ones  ; he  immediately  gave  intelligence 
of  this  to  the  Colonel,  and  was  ordered  by  him  to  keep  the  ridge  till  the 
main  body  should  be  ready  to  march.  About  one  hundred  Indians  had 
turned  back,  and  others  went  on,  to  form  an  ambuscade  in  a narrow  pas- 
sage ; the  army  followed  upon  their  trail  till  it  came  in  view  of  the  place 
where  it  was  thought  they  lay  concealed  ; the  passage  which  the  army 
had  to  pass  through,  was  one  where  the  path  was  on  the  bank  of  the 
river,  under  a large  cliff  of  rocks,  for  one  quarter  of  a mile,  which  did 
not  admit  of  more  than  one  man  abreast,  followed  by  the  others  in  In- 
dian file ; they  had  placed  two  hundred  men  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river,  ready  to  receive  the  whites  had  they  attempted  to  cross  ; one  hun- 
dred in  the  front,  one  hundred  in  the  rear,  and  three  hundred  amongst 
the  rocks  and  cliffs  ; of  the  whites,  the  number  was  not  more  than  one 
hundred  and  forty.  The  danger  of  marching  through  this  passage  was 
judiciously  considered  by  Colonel  Sevier  as  too  great  to  be  encountered 
for  the  advantage  to  be  attained,  and  he  marched  for  the  foot  of  the 
mountain,  where  he  crossed  as  he  went  out.  The  army  drove  before  it 
three  head  of  neat  cattle,  and  proceeded  with  so  much  haste  that  one  of 
the  cattle  tired  and  would  go  no  further.  Captain  Evans  marched  in 
the  rear,  and  having  passed  the  summit  of  the  mountain  and  proceeded 
about  two  hundred  yards  down  the  other  side  of  it,  one  of  his  men  said 
that  he  had  left  his  knife  just  before  he  crossed  the  top  of  the  mountain, 
and  he  ran  back  for  it ; when  he  got  to  the  mountain  top,  he  heard  the 
Indians  ascending  on  the  side  of  the  mountain  up  which  the  whites  had 
just  before  come.  Intelligence  of  their  vicinity  was  immediately  given 
to  the  Colonel : it  was  now  between  sunset  and  dark,  and  the  army, 
before  it  could  encamp  safely,  was  obliged  to  travel  ten  miles  to  Big 
Tellico,  where,  on  the  plains,  it  encamped.  Five  hundred  Indians  fol- 
lowed until  they  came  in  view  of  the  camp,  and  there,  their  courage  fail- 


424 


SPENCER  ISSUES  A WARRANT  AGAINST  SEVIER, 


ing,  they  retired.  The  next  day  the  troops  crossed  Tennessee,  and  re- 
turned home.” 

The  order  given  by  Governor  Johnston  to  Judge  Camp- 
bell, to  issue  a bench  warrant  against  Sevier,  was  not 
obeyed  by  that  officer.  His  past  relations  with  the  Governor 
of  Franklin,  and  his  own  agency  in  several  transactions  of 
that  government,  made  him  unwilling,  if  he  was  not  other- 
wise incapacitated,  to  execute  that  duty.  But  Spencer,  one 
of  the  principal  Judges  of  North-Carolina,  held,  by  author- 
ity of  that  state,  in  conjunction  with  Campbell,  a Superior 
Court  at  Jonesboro’,  and  there  issued  the  warrant  against 
Sevier,  for  the  crime  of  high  treason.  Ever  since  his  defeat 
at  Tipton’s,  that  brave  and  patriotic  citizen  had  been  in  the 
constant  performance  of  the  most  brilliant  actions,  of  great 
utility  to  his  countrymen.  He  was  amongst  the  frontier  peo- 
ple who  adored  him.  He  had,  by  nature,  a talent  for  acqui- 
ring popular  favour.  It  was  natural  for  him  to  travel  in  the 
paths  which  led  to  it.  To  him  it  was  no  secret,  that  in  a 
republican  government,  where  the  democratic  principle  is  a 
main  ingredient  in  its  composition,  the  love  of  the  people  is 
substantial  power.  He  had  a friendly  demeanour,  a capti- 
vating address,  and,  to  crown  all,  he  was  a- soldier.  With 
such  qualities,  he  could  not  fail  to  catch  the  prepossessions  of 
the  people  ; to  attach  them  to  his  interests,  and  to  mould 
them  to  the  furtherance  of  his  designs.  The  beloved  man 
of  the  populace  is  always  distinguished  by  a nick-name ; 
Nollickuckij  Jack  was  the  one  they  gave  him.  Whenever, 
at  future  elections,  that  name  was  pronounced,  it  had  the 
effect  of  electrical  power,  in  prostrating  the  pretensions  of 
every  opposing  candidate.  Sevier  was  generous,  liberal  and 
hospitable.  The  people  of  North-Carolina  valued  his  good 
qualities,  and  had  no  disposition  to  dwell  upon  his  late  errors 
with  any  malevolence.  As  the  government  of  North-Caro- 
lina was  now  submitted  to  universally,  they  wished  not  to 
inflict  punishment  upon  any  for  the  part  they  had  taken  in 
the  late  troubles.  As  he  easily  forgave  in  others,  the 
offences  committed  against  him,  he  had  not  any  suspicion 
that  he  was  not  as  readily  forgiven.  He  was  elevated,  by 
his  merits,  in  the  public  esteem  ; he  knew  not  what  it  was 


WHO  IS  APPREHENDED. 


425 


to  repine  at  the  prosperity  of  others.  But  he  had  not  learned 
that  he,  who  was  rendered  eminent  by  his  services,  is  the  last 
to  be  pardoned  for  his  faults  ; and  that  a repetition  of  meri- 
torious actions,  like  oil  thrown  upon  the  fire,  so  far  from  ex- 
tinguishing, actually  aggravates  the  angry  passions  which 
are  roused  against  him.* 

Sevier,  in  the  meantime,  after  his  return  from  the  frontier, * 
appeared  openly  in  all  public  places,  and  was  present  at 
Jonesboro,  where  General  Martin  held  a council  of  the  mi- 
litia officers.  During  the  day,  some  of  the  court,  and  Sevier, 
had  an  altercation,  which  revived  past  difficulties  between 
sogie  of  the  officers  and  the  ex-governor.  They  had  separated 
and  left  town.  After  SevieV  started,  Caldwell,  with  whom  he 
had  quarrelled,  went  to  Tipton,  and  in  going  and  returning, 
collected  eight  or  ten  men,  with  whom  he  went  in  pursuit  of 
Sevier.  Arriving  at  the  house  where  Colonel  Love  lodged, 
he  went  with  them  to  Colonel  Robinson’s,  where  General 
Martin  and  Major  King  were.  Tipton  there  had  a close 
search  made  for  Sevier,  supposing  that,  as  there  was  a good 
understanding  between  Robinson  and  him,  the  latter  might 
be  there.  The  pursuers  then  went  to  the  widow  Brown’s, 
where  Sevier  was.  Tipton  and  the  party  with  him,  rushed 
forward  to  the  door  of  common  entrance.  It  was  about  sun-  ■ 
rise.  Mrs.  Brown  had  just  risen.  Seeing  a party  with  arms 
at  that  early  hour,  well  acquainted  with  Colonel  Tipton, 
probably  rightly  apprehending  the  cause  of  this  visit,  she 
sat  herself  down  in  the  front  door,  to  prevent  their  getting 
into  the  house,  which  caused  a considerable  bustle  between 
her  and  Colonel  Tipton.  Sevier  had  slept  near  one  end  of 
the  house,  and  on  hearing  a noise,  sprung  from  his  bed,  and 
looking  through  a hole  in  the  door-side,  saw  Colonel  Love  ; 
upon  which,  he  opened  the  door  and  held  out  his  hand,  say- 
ing to  Colonel  Love,  I surrender  to  you.  Colonel  Love  led 
him  to  the  place  where  Tipton  and  Mrs.  Brown  were  con- 
tending about  a passage  into  the  house.  Tipton,  upon  seeing 
Sevier,  was  greatly  enraged,  and  swore  that  he  would  hang 
him.  Tipton  held  a pistol  in  his  hand,  sometimes  swearing 
he  would  shoot  him,  and  Sevier  was  really  afraid  that  he 
would  put  his  threat  into  execution.  Tipton  at  length  be- 

*Haywood. 


426 


SEVIER  TAKEN  A PRISONER  TO  MORGANTON, 


came  calm,  and  ordered  Sevier  to  get  his  horse,  for  that  he 
would  carry  him  to  Jonesboro’.  Sevier  pressed  Colonel 
Love  to  go  with  him  to  Jonesboro’,  which  the  latter  con- 
sented to  do.  On  the  way,  he  requested  of  Colonel  Love  to 
use  his  influence  that  he  might  be  imprisoned  in  Jonesbo- 
ro’, and  that  he  might  not  be  sent  over  the  mountains 
•into  North-Carolina.  Colonel  Love  remonstrated  to  him 
against  an  imprisonment  in  Jonesboro’,  for,  said  he,  Tip- 
ton  will  place  a strong  guard  around  you  there  ; your  friends 
will  attempt  a rescue,  and  bloodshed  will  be  the  result.  Se- 
vier urged  that  he  would  persuade  his  friends  to  peaceable 
measures,  and  expressed  great  reluctance  at  the  idea  of  being 
taken  from  his  family  and  friends.  As  soon  as  they  ar- 
rived at  Jonesboro’,  Tipton  ordered  iron  hand-cuffs  to  be 
put  on  him,  which  was  accordingly  done.  He  then  car- 
ried the  Governor  by  the  residence  of  Colonel  Love,  and  that 
of  the  widow  Pugh,  whence  he  went  home,  leaving  Sevier 
in  the  custody  of  the  deputy  sheriff  and  two  other  men,  with 
orders  to  carry  him  to  Morganton,  and  lower  down,  if  he 
thought  it  necessary.  Colonel  Love  travelled  with  him  til! 
late  in  the  evening,  and  was  requested  by  the  Governor  to 
send  down  to  his  wife,  and  let  her  know  of  his  situation,  with 


a request  to  her  to  send  some  clothes  to  him,  and  some  mo- 
ney. Next  morning,  James  Love,  the  brother  of  the  colonel, 
was  dispatched  with  this  message  to  Mrs.  Sevier  ; she  trans- 
mitted to  her  husband  the  necessaries  he  wanted.  A few  days 
afterwards,  James  and  John  Sevier,  sons  of  the  Governor,  to- 
gether with  Mr.  Cozby,  Major  Evans,  and  some  few  others, 
were  seen  by  Colonel  Love,  following  the  way  the  guard  had 
gone.  Before  Colonel  Love  had  left  the  guard,  they  had,  at 
his  request,  taken  off  the  irons  of  their  prisoner.  The  next 
morning  he  attempted  to  make  his  escape,  but  the  guard 
overtook  him,  and  one  of  them,  George  French,  shot  at  him 
with  a pistol  as  the  horses  were  running,  before  they  stopped 
him.  The  friends  of  Sevier  say  that  French  had  it  in  charge 
to  kill  him,  and  intended  to  execute  his  commission,  and  that 
on  the  Iron  Mountain,  on  their  way  to  North-Carolina,  Gor- 
ley,  another  of  the  guard,  informed  Sevier  of  the  order  and 
intention  of  French,  upon  which  he  endeavoured  to  make 


AND  IS  PURSUED  AND  RESCUED. 


427 


his  escape  ; that  in  his  flight,  he  became  entangled  in 
trees  and  brush,  thrown  down  by  a hurricane,  and 
could  proceed  no  further,  when  French  came  up,  and 
fired  a pistol  at  his  face,  which  fortunately  did  him 
no  harm,  except  burning  him  with  the  powder.  The  bullet 
had  slipped  out  of  the  pistol  unknown  to  French.  The  guard 
proceeded  with  him  to  Morganton,  where  they  delivered  him 
to  William  Morrison,  the  then  high  sheriff  of  Burke  county. 
As  the  guard  passed  through  the  settlement  of  the  McDow- 
ells, in  Burke  county,  General  McDowell  and  General  Jo- 
seph McDowell,  the  latter  of  whom  had  been  in  service  with 
him,  and  fought  by  his  side  in  several  perilous  battles,  and 
the  former  of  whom  had,  a few  years  since,  fled  from  the 
enemy  in  his  own  neighbourhood,  and  taken  shelter  under 
the  roof  of  Sevier,  both  followed  him  immediately  to  Mor- 
ganton, and  there  became  his  securities  for  a few  days,  until 
he  could  go  down  and  see  a brother-in-law,  who  lived  in  that 
county.  Agreeable  to  his  promise,  he  returned  punctually. 
The  sheriff  then,  upon  his  own  reponsibility,  let  him  have  a 
few  days  more  to  visit  his  friends  and  acquaintances.  By 
this  time,  his  two  sons,  with  Cozby,  Evans,  and  others,  came 
into  Morganton,  without  any  knowledge  of  the  people  there, 
who  they  were,  or  what  their  business  was.  On  striking  the 
settlements  on  the  east  side  of  the  mountains,  they  had  sepa- 
rated, and  had  come  into  town  singly.  Court  was,  at 
that  time,  sitting  in  Morganton,  and  they  were  with  the  peo- 
ple, generally,  without  suspicion.  At  night,  when  the  court 
"broke  up  and  the  people  dispersed,  they,  with  the  Governor, 
pushed  forward  towards  the  mountains  with  the  greatest  ra- 
pidity, and  before  morning  arrived  at  them,  and  were  beyond 
the  reach  of  any  who  might  think  proper  to  pursue  them. 

To  this  account  of  the  capture  and  rescue  of  Sevier,  as 
copied  from  Haywood,  it  may  be  added,  that  besides  James 
Sevier,  John  Sevier,  Doctor  James  Cozby,  and  Major  Evans, 
as  above  mentioned,  Jesse  Greene  and  John  Gibson  made  up 
the  party  who  pursued  and  re-captured  their  old  com- 
mander, and  effected  his  restoration  to  his  incensed  country- 
men. Evans  had  been  one  of  the  Governor’s  favourite  mili- 
tary officers ; all  the  rest  had  been  comrades  in  arms,  and 


428 


ROMANTIC  RESCUE  OF  SEVIER. 


were  warm  personal  friends.  Cozbv,  in  all  his  campaigns, 
had  served  with,  or  under  him ; not  only  as  a tried  soldier, 
but  as  the  bold  and  skilful  surgeon.  Further  particulars  in 
the  rescue  of  Sevier,  are  derived  from  one  conversant  with 
all  the  actors  : 

“ In  a luckless  hour,  the  puissant  Governor  of  the  western  wilds,  whose 
prowess  was  known  and  acknowledged,  from  Watauga  to  the  Chatta- 
nooga Mountain,  was  seized  by  an  armed  posse,  and  conveyed  into  the 
‘ settlements,’  on  a charge  of  high  treason  against  the  State  of  North- 
Carolina.  Had  the  destroying  angel  passed  through  the  land,  and 
destroyed  the  first  born  in  every  section,  the  feelings  of  the  hardy  fron- 
tierraen  would  not  have  been  more  incensed  ; had  the  chiefs  and  war- 
riors of  the  whole  Cherokee  nation  fallen  upon,  and  butchered  the  de- 
fenceless settlers,  the  feeling  of  retaliation  and  revenge  would  not  have 
been  more  deeply  awakened  in  their  bosoms.  They  had  suffered  with 
him  ; they  had  fought  under  him  ; with  them,  he  had  shared  the  dan- 
gers and  and  privations  of  a frontier  life,  and  a savage  warfare ; and 
they  were  not  the  spirits  to  remain  inactive,  when  their  friend  was  iu 
danger.  The  chivalry  of  the  country  gathered  together ; a number  of 
men  were  selected  to  fly  to  the  rescue ; armed  to  the  teeth,  those  daunt- 
less sons  of  the  woods  crossed  the  mountains,  determined  to  rescue  their 
beloved  commander,  or  leave  their  bones  to  bleach  upon  the  sand-hills 
of  North-Carolina,  a proud  memento  of  the  children  of  the  West.  It 
was  ascertained  that  the  trial  was  to  take  place  at  Morganton,  and 
thither  this  daring  band  bent  their  eager  steps.  Their  plan  was,  to  ob- 
tain his  release  by  stratagem,  and  if  that  failed,  the  next  step  was,  to 
fire  the  town,  and  in  the  hurry  and  confusion,  burst  the  prison  doors  by 
force,  and  make  their  escape.  Probably,  at  no  time  before,  had  the 
quiet  town  of  Morganton  assumed  such  an  air  of  excitement  and  inter- 
est, as  the  present ; for  the  fame  of  the  unfortunate  prisoner  had  gone 
before  him,  and  the  novelty  of  the  scene  had  drawn  together  a large 
crowd. 

“ The  Franks  had  approached  as  near  to  the  town  as  they  deemed  it 
prudent,  where  four  of  them  concealed  themselves  near  the  road,  while 
two  of  their  number,  James  Cozby  and  Nathaniel  Evans,  went  forward 
into  the  town.  They  rode  to  a convenient  distance  from  the  court 
house,  tied  their  horses  to  a limb  of  a tree,  near  to  which  they  hid 
their  rifles,  and  boldly  entered  the  town,  their  capacious  hunting  shirts 
concealing  the  side-arms  they  had  prepared  in  case  of  need.  Soon  they 
had  mingled  with  the  crowd,  and  easily  passed  off  for  countrymen,  at- 
tracted there  by  common  curiosity.  Evans  had  taken  charge  of  General 
Sevier’s  celebrated  race  mare,  and  led  her  up  in  front  of  the  court 
house  door,  the  bridle  carelessly  thrown  over  her  head  ; he  was,  appa- 
rently, an  unconcerned  spectator  of  passing  events.  Cosby  entered  the 
house,  and  there,  arraigned  at  the  bar,  sat  the  object  of  their  solicitude ; 
there  he  sat,  as  firm  and  undaunted  as  when  charging  the  hosts  of  Wy- 
uca  on  the  Lookout  Mountain. 

Slowly  he  turned  his  head,  and  their  eyes  met ; Sevier  knew  the  res- 


HE  ESCAPES  WITHOUT  PURSUIT. 


429 


cue  was  at  hand,  but  he  was  restrained  from  any  outward  demonstra- 
tion, by  a significant  shake  of  Cozby’s  head ; but  it  could  not  prevent  the 
tear  of  gratitude,  for  he  knew  there  were  daring  spirits  near,  that  would 
peril  their  life’s  blood  in  his  defence.  During  a pause  in  the  trial, 
Cozby  stepped  forward  in  front  of  the  Judge,  and  in  that  quick  and  en- 
ergetic tone,  so  peculiar  to  him,  asked  the  Judge  if  he  was  done  with 
that  man  ? The  question,  manner  and  tone,  caused  every  person  to 
start,  to  cast  their  eyes  on  the  speaker,  then  on  the  Judge,  all  in  amaze- 
ment. In  the  meantime,  Sevier  had  caught  ft  glimpse  of  his  favourite 
mare  standing  at  the  door  ; taking  advantage  of  the  confusion,  he  made  - 
one  spring  to  the  door ; the  next,  he  was  safely  in  the  saddle,  and  with 
the  speed  of  thought,  was  borne  from  the  wondering  crowd.  ‘Yes,’ 
cries  a waggish  voice,  ‘ I’ll  be  damned  if  you  ain’t  done  with  him.’ 
His  comrades  were  not  slow  to  follow  in  his  wake,  and,  although  imme- 
diate pursuit  was  made,  a few  minutes  brought  him  to  the  main  body, 
who,  with  one  wild  shout  of  victory,  closed  in  the  rear,  and  bore  him 
on  in  triumph.  That  night  they  rested  at  the  house  of  a friend,  about 
twenty  miles  distant ; from  whence  they  made  an  easy  journey  to  their 
homes,  content  that  they  had  gained  a bloodless  victory.”* 

Morganton,  the  place  where  this  rescue  of  the  late  Go- 
vernor of  Franklin  was  so  gallantly  made,  was  the  seat  of 
justice  for  Burke  county,  N.  C.,  and  had  been  selected  for 
the  trial  of  the  prisoner,  as  being  the  most  convenient  and 
accessible  court  in  that  state,  and  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
late  Franklin  jurisdiction  ; the  authorities  wisely  concluding, 
that  at  home  Sevier  could  not  be  successfully  prosecuted. 
The  change  of  venue,  however,  operated  nothing  in  favour 
of  the  prosecution.  Burke  had  been  a strong  whig  county 
in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  nowhere  were  whig  princi- 
ples, whig  sacrifices,  and  whig  efforts,  held  in  higher  esteem, 
or  more  properly  appreciated.  The  McDowell’s,  McGimp- 
sie’s,  Alexander’s,  and  all  the  whigs  of  that  neighbourhood, 
had  witnessed,  and  still  gratefully  recollected,  the  timely 
succour  and  substantial  aid  rendered  to  them,  a id  to  their 
cause,  in  the  hour  of  trial,  by  Sevier  and  his  countrymen. 
He  was  now  a prisoner  in  their  midst,  charged  with  the 
highest  offence  known- to  the  laws  ; they  knew  him  to  be  a 
patriot,  in  exile  and  distress  ; they  felt  for  his  sufferings,  and 
sympathized  in  his  fallen  fortunes.  These  noble  patriots  of 
North-Carolina1  while  sensible  that  the  majesty  of  law  had 
been  offended,  were  yet  unwilling  that  its  penalty  should  be 


^Manuscript  of  William  Smith. 


430 


CONVENTION  MEETS  TO  FORM 


enforced,  or  that  Sevier  should  be  made  its  victim.  They 
stood  around  the  court  yard  in  approving  silence,  witnessed 
and  connived  at  the  rescue,  and  discountenanced  pursuit. 

The  capture  and  brief  expatriation  of  Sevier,  served  only 
to  awaken  in  his  behalf  the  higher  appreciation  of  his  ser- 
vices, and  a deeper  conviction  of  his  claims  to  the  esteem  and 
consideration  of  his  countrymen.  His  return  was  every- 
where greeted  with  enthusiasm  and  joy. 

In  the  meantime,  an  amendment,  or  radical  alteration  of 
the  existing  Articles  of  Confederation,  had  become  obviously 
necessary,  and  was  demanded  by  the  condition  of  things  in 
all  sections  of  the  country.  Apart  from  the  general  conside- 
ration of  the  ruined  commerce  and  embarrassed  revenues  of 
the  Confederacy,  there  were  other  and  more  local  causes, 
which  convinced  Congress,  and  the  American  people,  of  the 
necessity  of  this  reorganization  of  their  form  of  government. 
Of  these,  none,  perhaps,  had  had  greater  influence  than  the 
formidable  insurrection  in  Massachusetts,  which,  in  1786, 
threatened  not  only  the  destruction  of  the  government  of  that 
state,  but  of  the  Union.  “The  spirit  of  insurrection  was  not. 
confined  to  Massachusetts  alone,  but  was  manifested  by  par- 
tial risings  in  New-Hampshire  and  Connecticut.” 

The, withdrawal  of  some  of  the  western  counties  of  North- 
Carolina,  from  the  jurisdiction  of  the  parent  state,  had  oc- 
curred previous  to  these  insurrections  in  New-England.  Aris- 
ing as  it  did  from  other  and  far  different  causes,  and  resulting 
in  the  formation  of  a temporary  state  organization,  it  scarce- 
ly deserves  to  be  classed  with  that  of  Massachusetts  as  an 
insurrection.  Occurring,  however,  at  a time  when  the  fo- 
reign relations  of  the  United  States,  and  the  negotiation 
especially  with  Spain,  had  produced  a general  discontent  in 
the  West,  it  served  to  render  more  evident  the  necessity  of 
remodeling  and  enlarging  the  powers  of  the  General  Govern- 
ment. A Convention  was  held  for  this  purpose,  consisting 
of  delegates  appointed  by  the  states,  who  convened  at  Phila- 
delphia, May,  1787.  Of  this  body  George  Washington  was 
elected,  unanimously,  President.  A new  system  of  govern- 
ment was  at  length  formed,  which  the  Convention  recoin- 


THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  UNITED  STATES. 


431 


mended  should  be  submitted  for  ratification  to  the  respective 
states. 

The  new  system  encountered  opposition  formidable  and 

persevering, — North-Carolina  withholding  her  assent  until 

( certain  amendments  could  be  obtained.  This  reiec- 
1787  1 ° 

( tion  of  the  Constitution  was  made  by  the  Convention 

of  North-Carolina,  assembled  at  Hillsboro’,  in  which  the 

western  counties  were  represented. 

Another  Convention  was  soon  after  called,  to  deliberate 
19  ( upon  the  proposed  constitution  of  the  United  States. 

I All  now  saw  the  necessity  of  a radical  reform.  De- 
puties were  elected  favourable  to  the  new  constitution,  and, 
on  the  21st  of  November,  1789,  it  was  adopted  and  ratified 
by  the  people  of  North-Carolina,  in  convention  assembled  at 
Fayetteville. 

The  Assembly  of  North-Carolina,  which  met  at  Fayette- 
ville, extended  the  act  of  pardon  and  oblivion  to  such  of 
those  who  had  taken  part  in  the  Franklin  revolt,  as  chose  to 
avail  themselves  of  its  provisions.  But,  at  the  same  time,  it 
was  distinctly  provided,  “ that  the  benefit  of  this  act  should 
not  entitle  John  Sevier  to  the  enjoyment  of  any  office  of  pro- 
fit, of  honour  or  trust,  in  the  State  of  North-Carolina,  but 
that  he  be  expressly  debarred  therefrom.” 

An  enactment  of  this  kind  may  have  been  due  to  the 
supremacy  of  law.  It  was  in  exact  conflict,  however,  with 
the  wishes  and  voice  and  decision  of  the  people.  Public 
sentiment,  even  in  high  places,  demanded  its  immediate  re- 
peal. Sevier  was  technically  an  insurgent.  In  all  respects, 
he  was  a lover  of  his  country,  and  had  entitled  himself  to  its 
highest  honours  and  its  richest  rewards.  His  countrymen 
could  not  spare  him  from  their  military  service  ; they  would 
not  refuse  him  employment  in  their  civil  affairs.  At  the 
time  of  the  annual  election  in  August,  of  the  next  year,  after 
the  legislative  infliction  of  these  disabilities,  the  people  of 
Greene  county  called  upon  Sevier  to  represent  them  in  the 
Senate  of  North-Carolina.  He  was  elected,  it  need  not  be 
added,  without  difficulty.  At  the  appointed  time,  November 
2,  1789,  he  attended  at  Fayetteville,  but  waited  a few  days 
before  he  took  his  seat.  During  this  interval,  the  Assembly 


432 


sevier’s  disabilities  removed. 


passed  an  act,  repealing  the  clause  of  a former  act,  ex- 
cluding him  from  holding  any  office  of  honour,  profit  or  trust. 
During  the  debate  on  the  resolution,  acquitting  Sevier  of  the 
alleged  treason,  and  restoring  him  to  the  rights  of  citizen- 
ship, Mr.  Amy,  the  member  from  Hawkins  county,  warmly 
urged  the  passage  of  the  bill.  In  doing  so,  he  gave  offence 
to  Colonel  Tipton,  the  member  from  Washington  county.  A 
rencounter  was  prevented  with  difficulty,  and  the  debate 
postponed  till  the  following  day.  The  evening  was  spent  in 
reconciling  the  disputants,  and  Mr.  Roddy,  another  member 
from  Greene,  reprimanded  Amy  for  using  language  calcu- 
lated to  irritate  Colonel  Tipton,  and  begged  him  thereafter 
to  pursue  a course  which  would  “ soothe  his  feelings.”  It 
was  finally  concluded,  that  on  the  next  day,  Colonel  Roddy 
should  conduct  the  debate,  as  least  likely  to  give  offence. 
Accordingly,  when  the  debate  was  resumed,  Colonel  Roddy 
began  his  speech,  but  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  Colonel 
Tipton  became  infuriated,  sprang  from  his  seat,  and  seized 
Roddy  by  the  throat.  At  this  moment,  Mr.  Amy  cried  out 
to  Roddy,  “ Soothe  him,  colonel,  soothe  him  !”  The  parties 
were  soon  separated,  but  a challenge  to  mortal  combat  was 
the  consequence.  By  the  interference  of  mutual  friends,  the 
difficulty  was  honourably  accommodated.*  The  resolution 
under  debate  was  adopted,  and  Sevier  took  his  seat,  after 
having  taken  the  usual  oath  of  allegiance  to  North-Caro- 
lina.  Some  days  after,  General  Davie  introduced  a resolu- 
tion to  enquire  into  the  conduct  of  the  senator  from  Greene. 
It  was  well  known  that  the  proposition  would  not  be  favour- 
ably received,  and,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  mover, 
the  motion  for  enquiry  was  laid  upon  the  table. 

During  this  session,  Sevier  was  reinstated  in  the  command 
he  had  held  before  the  Franklin  revolt,  of  brigadier-general 
for  all  the  western  counties,  and  laws  were  passed  confirma- 
tory of  administrations  granted  by  the  Franklin  courts,  and 
legalizing  marriages  celebrated  under  the  authority  of  that 
government. 

The  General  Assembly,  in  apportioning  the  representatives 


* Letter  of  Isaac  Lane. 


SEVIER  ELECTED  TO  UNITED  STATES  CONGRESS.  433 

from  North-Carolina  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
divided  the  State  into  four  Congressional  Districts — the 
1789  $ westernmost  of  which,  embraced  all  her  territory  west 
( of  the  Alleghanies.  From  this  district,  John  Sevier 
was  elected,  and  he  is  thus  the  first  member  of  Congress 
from  the  great  Valley  of  the  Mississippi.  The  election  was 
to  be  held  on  the  second  Monday  and  Tuesday  in  March,  and 
certificates  of  the  returning  officers  were  to  be  brought  to 
the  house  of  James  White,  in  Hawkins  county,  now  Knox- 
ville, and  be  there  compared  by  the  Clerk  of  the  Superior 
Court  of  Washington  District,  who  was,  for  the  convenience 
of  these  remote  counties,  to  attend  at  that  place  for  that  pur- 
pose. His  certificate  to  the  candidate  having  the  greatest 
number  of  votes,  entitled  the  member  to  the  commission  of 
the  Governor ; and  on  this  certificate,  Ex-Governor  Sevier  was 
commissioned  as  the  representative  elect  from  Washington 
District,  then  embracing  all  the  territory  of  the  present 
State  of  Tennessee.  It  is  believed  that  he  was  elected, 
without  a competitor  or  rival.  Every  voter  nearly,  on  Cum- 
berland and  Holston,  knew  him  and  voted  for  him. 

“Wednesday,  June  16th,  1790,  John  Sevier,  another  mem- 
ber from  North-Carolina,  appeared  and  took  his  seat.”* 

The  government  of  Franklin  had  ceased  to  exist  since 
1788  i March  1st,  of  this  year,  and  this  might  appear 
( to  be  the  place  and  point  of  time  in  these  Annals,  to 
suspend  the  history  of  settlements  formed  under  that  dynasty. 
Inasmuch,  however,  as  lands  acquired  under  its  treaties  and 
occupied  under  its  laws,  never  did  belong  to  the  jurisdiction 
of  North-Carolina,  the  incidents  connected  with  their  settle- 
ment, up  to  the  treaty  of  Holston,  may  be  better  detailed  here 
than  in  any  other  connection. 

It  has  been  heretofore  mentioned,  that  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  North-Carolina,  at  its  session  of  1783,  had  designated 
the  boundaries  of  the  Cherokee  hunting  grounds — making 
the  Holston,  the  French  Broad  and  Big  Pigeon  Rivers,  a part 
of  these  boundaries.  The  next  year,  the  people  of  Washing- 
ton, Greene  and  Sullivan  counties,  withdrew  from  their 


Annals  of  Congress,  by  Jos.  Gales,  yoI.  ii,p.  1640. 
28 


434 


CONDITION  OF  THE  PEOPLE  SOUTH  OF  FRENCH 


allegiance  to  North-Carolina,  renounced  her  jurisdiction  over 
them,  and  formed  themselves  into  a separate  and  distinct, 
government.  Under  that  organization,  they  proceeded  to 
exercise  all  the  functions  of  a sovereign  state,  and  amongst 
others,  that  of  negotiating  with  the  Indian  tribe  adjoining, 
and  of  acquiring,  by  treaty  with  them,  a large  addition  to 
their  territory.  The  lands  thus  obtained  by  the  treaty  of 
Dumplin,  and  afterwards  enlarged  and  confirmed  by  subse- 
quent stipulations  made  at  Coyatee,  were  soon  taken  into 
possession  and  settled  under  the  authority  of  Franklin, 
which  proceeded  to  organize  the  territory,  thus  acquired,  into 
the  new  county  of  Sevier,  with  its  courts,  its  military  organi- 
zation, and  a representation  in  the  Legislature,  upon  the  same 
footing  of  the  older  counties.  We  have  traced  the  rise,  pro- 
gress and  fall  of  Franklin.  At  the  period  of  its  dissolution, 
we  are  presented  with  the  strange  spectacle  of  a county, 
settled,  organized  and  governed,  suddenly  dissociated,  and  left 
beyond  the  jurisdiction  and  protection  of  any  power  known 
to  the  laws  of  North-Carolina — forsaken  and  disowned.  The 
land  embraced  within  the  limits  of  Sevier  county,  of  Frank- 
lin, had  not  been  acquired  by  treaty  or  otherwise,  under  the 
laws  of  North-Carolina  ; the  inhabitants,  according  to  her  law 
designating  the  Indian  hunting  grounds,  were  there  contrary 
to  her  laws  and  to  the  provisions  of  her  treaty  stipulating 
the  Cherokee  boundaries.  In  a political  point  of  view, 
Sevier  county  and  its  inhabitants  were  known  only  as  part  j 
of  the  State  of  Franklin.  That  state  no  longer  existed,  and 
they  were  now  considered  as  trespassers  upon  Indian  lands, 
in  violation  of  the  laws  of  North-Carolina,  beyond  the  pale 
of  its  government,  the  influence  of  its  judiciary,  or  the  pro- 
tection of  its  military  power.  In  this  dilemma,  the  people  ! 
gave  another  instance  of  their  law-abiding  character,  and 
of  their  capacity  to  govern  themselves.  Sensible,  that  in 
their  peculiar  situation,  they  were  exposed  to  the  evils  re- 
sulting from  anarchy  and  violence,  they  determined  to  guard 
against  and  prevent  them.  Measures  were  at  once  adopted 
to  frame  a temporary  form  of  government,  suited  to  the  exi- 
gencies of  the  occasion.  It  is  not  now  known  who  were 
prominent  in  giving  vitality  to  this  new  organization,  who 


BSOAD  AND  WEST  OF  PIGEON. 


435 


was  the  President  of  the  Board  or  its  Clerk,  nor  to  whom  the 
other  principal  offices  under  it  were  assigned.  It  is  well  as- 
certained, however,  that  under  its  provisions,  order,  law, 
right  and  justice,  were  maintained.  Newell’s  Station  had 
been  theseat  of  justice  for  Sevier  county,  under  the  Franklin 
dynasty,  and  it  is  believed  under  the  new  order  of  things,  be- 
came the  seat  of  the  Committee’s  authority,  as  it  was  the 
centre  of  the  territory  over  which  its  jurisdiction  extended. 

ARTICLES  OF  ASSOCIATION. 

We,  the  subscribers,  inhabiting  south  of  Holston,  French  Broad  and 
Big  Pigeon  Rivers,  by  means  of  the  division  and  anarchy  that  has  of 
late  prevailed  within  the  chartered  limits  of  North- Carolina,  west  of  the 
Apalachiau  Mountains,  being  at  present  destitute  of  regular  government 
and  laws,  and  being  fully  sensible  that  the  blessings  of  nature  can  only 
be  obtained  and  rights  secured  by  regular  society,  and  Nortk-Carolina 
not  having  extended  her  government  to  this  quarter,  it  is  rendered  ab- 
solutely necessary,  for  the  preservation  of  peace  and  good  order,  and  the 
security  of  life,  liberty  and  property  to  individuals,  to  enter  into  the 
following  social  compact,  as  a temporary  expedient  against  greater  evils  : 

Article  I.  That  the  Constitution  and  Laws  of  North-Carolina  shall 
he  adopted,  and  that  every  person  within  the  bounds  above  mentioned, 
shall  be  subject  to  the  penalties  inflicted  by  those  laws  for  the  violation 
thereof. 

Article  II.  That  the  officers  appointed  under  the  authority  of  Frank- 
lin, either  civil  or  military,  and  who  have  taken  the  oaths  of  office, 
shall  continue  to  exercise  the  duties  of  such  office,  as  far  as  directed  and 
empowered  by  these  Articles,  and  no  further,  and  shall  be  accountable  to 
the  people  or  their  deputies  for  their  conduct  in  office. 

Article  III.  That  militia  companies,  as  now  bounded,  shall  be  consid- 
ered as  districts  of  the  above  territory,  and  each  district  or  militia  com- 
pany shall  choose  two  members  to  represent  them  in  a General  Commit- 
tee, who  shall  have  power  to  choose  their  own  president  and  clerk,  to 
meet  on  their  own  adjournments,  and  the  president  shall  have  power  to 
convene  the  Committee  at  any  time  when  the  exigencies  of  affairs  re- 
quire their  meeting,  and  shall  have  power  to  keep  order  and  to  cause 
rules  of  decorum  to  be  observed,  in  as  full  a manner  as  the  president  of 
any  other  convention  whatever.  And  in  all  cases  of  mal-ad  ministra- 
tion, or  neglect  of  duty  in  any  officer,  the  party  grieved  shall  appeal  to 
the  Committee,  or  a majority  of  them,  who  shall  be  competent  to  form 
a board  for  business.  And  upon  such  application,  the  Committee  shall 
cause  the  parties  to  come  before  them,  and  after  examining  carefully 
into  the  nature  of  the  offence,  shall  have  power  to  deprive  of  office,  or 
publicly  reprimand  the  offender,  as  the  demerit  of  the  crime  may  de- 
serve, or  otherwise  to  acquit  the  party  accused,  if  found  not  guilty. 

Article  IV.  Where  vacancies  happen  in  the  military  department,  the 
same  shall  be  filled  up  by  election,  as  heretofore  used,  and  the  officers 


436 


SELF-GOVERNMENT  EXERCISED. 


thus  elected  shall  be  the  reputed  officers  of  such  regiment  or  company, 
as  the  case  may  be,  and  shall  be  accountable  to  the  Committee  for  their 
conduct  as  other  officers. 

Article  V.  The  civil  officers  shall  have  power  to  take  cognizance  of 
breaches  of  the  peace  or  criminal  offences,  and  where  any  person  is 
convicted  of  an  offence  not  capital,  the  officer  before  whom  such  offender 
is  convicted,  shall  immediately  inflict  the  punishment  directed  by  law  for 
such  offence.  But  where  the  crime  is  capital,  the  officer  shall  send  such 
criminal,  together  with  the  evidences  for  or  against  him  or  them,  to  the 
nighest  justice  of  the  peace  for  North-Carolina,  there  to  be  dealt  with 
according  to  law  ; but  no  civil  officer  shall  decide  upon  cases  of  debt, 
slander,  or  the  right  of  property. 

Article  VI.  Militia  officers  shall  have  power  to  collect  their  regiments 
or  respective  companies,  emergencies  making  it  necessary,  and  in  case 
of  invasion  by  the  common  enemy,  shall  call  out  their  companies  regu- 
larly by  divisions,  and  each  militia  man  shall  give  obedience  to  the  com- 
mands of  his  officer,  as  is  required  by  law,  or  otherwise  be  subject  to  the 
penalties  affixed  by  law  for  such  neglect  or  refusal,  at  the  judgment  of  a 
court  martial. 

Article  VII.  And,  whereas,  it  is  not  improbable  that  many  horse 
thieves  and  fugitives  from  justice  may  come  from  different  parts,  ex- 
pecting an  asylum  amongst  us,  as  we  are  destitute  of  a regular  govern- 
ment and  laws  by  which  they  may  be  punished,  each  and  every  of  us 
do  oblige  ourselves  to  aid  and  assist  the  officers  of  the  different  state  or 
states,  or  of  the  United  States,  or  any  description  of  men  sent  by  them, 
to  apprehend  such  horse  thief  or  fugitive  from  justice.  And  if  any 
of  the  above  characters  should  now  be  lurking  amongst  us,  or  shall 
hereafter  be  discovered  to  have  taken  refuge  in  this  quarter,  we  do  seve- 
rally bind  ourselves,  by  the  sacred  ties  of  honour,  to  give  information  to 
that  state  or  government  from  which  they  have  fled,  so  that  they  may 
be  apprehended  and  brought  to  justice. 

Article  VIII.  United  application  shall  be  made  to  the  next  session  of 
the  Assembly  of  North-Carolina  to  receive  us  into  their  protection,  and 
to  bestow  upon  us  the  blessings  of  government. 

Article  IX.  The  captains  of  the  respective  militia  companies  shall 
each  of  them  procure  a copy  of  these  Articles,  and  after  calling  the  com- 
pany together  for  the  purpose,  shall  read  them,  or  cause  them  to  be 
read,  distinctly  to  said  company;  and  each  militia  man,  or  householder, 
after  hearing  them  read,  if  he  approve  of  them,  shall  subscribe  his  name 
to  the  articles,  as  a proof  of  his  willingness  to  subject  himself  to  them; 
and  said  Articles  shall  be  the  temporary  form  of  government  until  we 
are  received  into  the  protection  of  North-Carolina,  and  no  longer. 

In  several  of  the  provisions  of  these  Articles  there  may  be 
traced  a strong  resemblance  to  those  of  the  Watauga  Asso- 
ciation.. They  were,  probably,  copied  mainly  from  them. 
North-Carolina  never  took  these  people  under  her  protec- 
tion or  jurisdiction,  and  the  Association  proved  to  be  a good 


VINDICATION  OP  FRANKLIN. 


437 


substitute  for  a more  formal  and  perfect  system  of  govern- 
ment. This  regime  continued  till  after  the  country  became 
the  Territory  of  the  United  States  south  of  the  River  Ohio, 
and  was  then  provided  for,  as  the  county  of  Sevier,  in  1794. 

VINDICATION  OF  FRANKLIN. 

This  may  be  considered  as  the  finale  of  Franklin,  and  the 
( proper  place,  therefore,  to  introduce  a closing  remark 
‘ X upon  that  anomaly.  In  speaking  of  it,  terms  have 
been  used  requiring  qualification,  which,  without  interrupt- 
ing the  current  narrative,  could  not  be  elsewhere  given. 
Insurrection,  revolt,  dismemberment,  defection,  as  here  used, 
need  to  be  explained,  when  applied  either  to  those  of  the 
western  people,  who  separated  from  the  parent  state,  or 
those  of  them  who  afterwards  renounced  the  new  govern- 
ment. In  either  case,  the  action  of  the  parties  need  not  be 
* ascribed  to  fickleness  of  purpose  or  bad  faith,  much  less  to 
disloyalty  to  their  proper  rulers,  or  insubordination  to  regular 
government  and  law.  In  vindication  of  those  who  once 
appeared  on  the  side  of  Franklin,  and  now  on  the  side  of 
North-Carolina,  it  has  been  well  remarked  by  Haywood : 
“ That  the  face  of  affairs  was  quite  different  at  the  time  of 
the  Convention  which  resolved  upon  independence,  and  the 
Autumn  of  1786.  Before  this  juncture  there  was  no  govern- 
mental head  to  which  the  people  of  the  western  counties 
could  carry  their  complaints.  In  1784,  it  is  true,  the  Assem- 
bly which  passed  the  Cession  act,  retained  the  sovereignty 
and  jurisdiction  of  North-Carolina  in  and  over  the  ceded 
territory,  and  all  the  inhabitants  thereof,  until  the  United 
States,  in  Congress,  should  have  accepted  the  cession.  Yet, 
in  reality,  so  long  as  the  Cession  act  continued  unrepealed, 
North-Carolina  felt  herself  as  much  estranged  from  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  western  counties,  as  she  was  to  any  other  state  or 
territory  in  the  Union ; until  induced  by  the  bonds  of  federalism, 
and  a common  interest  so  far  as  concerned  their  external  rela- 
tions with  the  other  nations  of  the  globe,  but  wholly  uncon- 
nected, so  far  as  regarded  their  internal  regulations  and  en- 
gagements. And  as  any  one  state  was  not  obliged,  by  the 
nature  of  her  Federal  duties,  to  advance  monies  for  the  main- 


438 


INHABITANTS  PURSUE  A PACIFIC 


tenance  of  another  in  the  possession  of  her  rights,  but  through 
the  intervention  of  all  in  Congress  assembled  ; so  neither 
did  North-Carolina  conceive  herself  bound  to  exert  her 
strength  and  resources  for  the  defence  of  the  western  coun- 
ties, unless  in  the  proportion  for  which  she  was  liable  to 
other  Federal  contribution:?.  It  was  in  vain,  then,  to  solicit 
her  interference  in  behalf  of  the  western  counties,  so  long 
as  the  Cession  act  subsisted,  but  when  that  was  repealed, 
and  the  precipitancy  of  the  western  people  obliterated,  it 
cannot  be  a matter  of  surprise  that  well-meaning  and  intel- 
ligent people  would,  thenceforward,  deem  it  their  duty  to 
return  to  their  dependence  on  North-Carolina.” 

In  behalf  of  those  who  sustained  the  separation  from 
North-Carolina  until  1788,  it  may  be  further  added,  that  in 
withdrawing  from  the  parent  state  and  establishing  a sepa- 
rate government,  the  secessionists  believed  that  the  course- 
adopted  by  them  would  least  imperfectly  preserve  quiet  and 
order,  under  the  circumstances  in  which  the  Cession  act  had 
placed  them.  Their  course  was  pacific  and  conservative, 
and  at  first,  united  and  harmonized  all.  Nothing  destructive 
or  revolutionary,  much  less  belligerent,  was  intended  or  con- 
templated. In  1784,  the  Confederacy  had  demonstrated  the 
inadequacy  of  that  organization  as  a permanent  system  of 
General  Government.  The  transfer  by  North-Carolina  of 
her  western  counties  to  Congress,  at  that  time  imbecile  and 
powerless,  even  over  the  original  confederated  states,  and  the 
novelty  of  the  experiment,  had  produced  alarm,  excited  ap- 
prehension and  aroused  a deep  discontent  in  the  new  settle- 
ments. And,  perhaps,  these  could  have  been  quieted  and 
appeased,  as  effectually,  in  no  other  way  as  the  temporary 
assumption  and  exercise  of  the  power  of  separate  and  dis- 
tinct self  government. 

Again.  Heretofore,  no  instance  had  presented  itself,  of 
the  formation  of  an  independent  state  from  the  territory  em- 
braced within  the  boundaries  of  a political  sovereignty.  The 
process  of  separation,  and  the  mode  of  accomplishing  it,  were 
all  new  and  unattempted,  alike  by  the  people,  and  the  State 
and  General  Governments.  Now,  when  the  creation  of  these 
new  political  organizations  has  become  matter  of  frequent 


AND  CONSERVATIVE  POLICY. 


439 


occurrence,  and  plain  and  easy  by  its  successful  trial  and 
repetition,  we  can  see  little  or  no  cause,  why  the  subject 
should  have  then  been  viewed  as  embarrassed  with  inhe- 
rent difficulties.  But,  let  it  be  remembered,  that  “ in  the  Ar- 
ticles of  Confederation,  no  provision  was  made  for  the  crea- 
tion or  admission  of  hew  states.  Canada  was  to  he  admitted 
of  right,  on  her  joining  in  the  measures  of  the  United  States  ; 
and  the  other  colonies,  at  the  discretion  of  nine  states.  The 
eventual  establishment  of  new  states,  seems  to  have  been 
entirely  overlooked  by  the  compilers  of  that  instrument.”* 
The  inconvenience  of  this  omission  in  the  Articles  of  Con- 
federation, was  most  apparent,  and  it  maj^  be  well  ques- 
tioned whether  the  Congress  of  the  Confederacy  could,  without 
an  assumption  of  power,  have  given  to  the  people  of  the 
territory,  ceded  in  1784,  a form  of  state  government,  such  as 
was  guaranteed  to  them  by  the  provisions  of  the  constitution 
of  North-Carolina. 

Under  this  view  of  the  subject,  it  is  not  strange  that  the 
Cession  Act  was  followed  by  dissatisfaction  and  revolt  in 
the  western  counties.  Their  people  had  been  represented  in 
the  state  convention  of  1776,  and  it  had  been  probably  at 
the  instance  of  their  own  delegates  in  that  body,  that  the 
provision  was  then  made,  “ for  the  establishment  of  one  or 
more  governments  westward  of  this  state,  by  consent  of  the 
legislature.”  Indeed,  it  may  be  well  questioned,  whether,  with 
this  provision  in  the  Bill  of  Rights,  preceding  the  Constitu- 
tion itself,  the  act  of  Cession  was  not  unauthorized  and  in- 
valid. 

Be  that  as  it  may,  the  cession  of  her  western  territory  by 
North-Carolina  to  Congress,  as  it  was,  under  the  Articles  of 
Confederation  in  1784,  was  obviously  inexpedient  and  impolitic. 
And  it  was  not  till  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution,  of 
1788,  that  this  measure  became  either  wise  or  practicable. 
This  did  not  escape  the  discernment  of  the  malcontent  but 
virtuous  and  patriotic  people  of  Franklin,  when  the  new  state 
ceased  to  be  ; and  they  returned  to  their  allegiance  to  the 
mother  state.  This  event  was  not  unexpected  by  its  most 


* Mr.  MadisoD,  in  the  Federalist. 


440 


NO  TENDENCY  TO  RADICALISM, 


steadfast  friends  and  supporters,  nor  were  its  effects  to  be 
deplored.  It  resulted  from  no  legislative  error  or  want  of 
executive  skill,  no  fickleness  of  popular  sentiment,  no  defect 
of  public  virtue. 

Every  review  of  the  conduct  of  both  parties  in  the  disaf- 
fected counties,  from  1784  to  1788,  reflects  honour  upon  their 
patriotism,  their  moderation,  their  love  of  order  and  their 
virtue.  No  other  instance  is  recollected,  in  which  two  an- 
tagonistic governments  existed  so  long  over  the  same  peo- 
ple, with  so  little  anarchy,  so  little  misrule,  so  little  violence. 
A period  of  nearly  four  years  was  passed,  under  two  political 
systems  of  government,  each  having  its  separate  Executive, 
State  Council,  Legislature  and  Judiciary;  each  its  own 
county  and  military  organizations,  its  own  partizans  and 
adherents.  And  amidst  all  the  rivalry,  and  faction,  and  mal- 
content, and  conflict,  personal  and  official,  which  must  have 
arisen  from  this  unexampled  condition  of  things,  the  annalist 
has  to  record  but  two  deaths,  almost  no  bloodshed,  ana 
little  violation  of  the  right  of  property.  Private  rights 
were  held  sacred  and  inviolable.  If,  in  the  collisions 
between  the  officers  of  the  two  governments,  an  occasional 
feat  in  pugilism  occurred,  resulting  in  a trifling  mutilation  of 
one  or  both  of  the  combatants,  there  followed  less  of  acri- 
mony, unmanly  revenge  and  pitiful  spite,  than  is  produced  by 
the  disreputable  squabbles  of  the  aspirants  and  functionaries 
of  the  present  day— members  of  the  same  government,  and 
united  under  the  same  constitution  and  laws.  In  all  that  was 
done  in  Franklin,  we  are  unable  to  detect  any  tendency  to 
radicalism.  In  their  warmest  aspirations  for  self-govern- 
ment and  independence,  there  cannot  be  found  one  feature 
of  modern  agrarianism  or  the  prostration  of  all  law,  but  only 
a disposition  to  protect  themselves  from  violence  and  aggres- 
sion, and  possible  danger  to  their  rights. 

This  is  not  the  judgment  of  a partial  annalist.  It  can  be 
sustained  by  the  testimony  of  competent  tribunals,  east  and 
west  of  the  Alleghanies.  Their  decisions  shall  be  briefly  stated. 

The  formation  of  a new  state  was  only  a question  as  to 
time.  In  all  the  letters,  manifestos  and  proclamations  of  the 
Governor  of  the  parent  state,  the  separation  is  spoken  of  as 
not  only  right  in  itself,  but  desirable,  and,  at  the  proper  time, 


OR  PROSTRATION  OF  ALL  LAW. 


441 


expedient.  Governor  Martin,  in  1785,  speaking  of  the  sepa- 
ration, says  : “ Which,  in  time,  no  doubt,  would  have  been 
granted  by  consent and  again  : “ when  a separation  might 
take  place  to  mutual  advantage  and  satisfaction,  on  an 
honourable  footing and  again  : “ until  the  consent  of  the 
legislature  be  fully  and  constitutionally  had  for  a separate 
sovereignty  and  jurisdiction.”  Governor  Caswell,  in  his  let- 
ter to  General  Shelby,  in  1787,  says:  “ Whenever  unanimity 
prevails  among  your  people,  and  their  strength  and  numbers 
will  justify  an  application  for  a separation,  if  it  is  general,  I 
have  no  doubt  of  its  taking  place  upon  reciprocal  and 
honourable  terms.”  And  again,  in  his  letter  to  Governor 
Sevier,  of  April  24,  1787  : “You  may  rely  upon  it,  that  my 
sentiments  are  clearly  in  favour  of  a separation,  whenever 
the  people  to  be  separated  think  themselves  of  sufficient 
strength  and  abilities  to  support  a government.”  And  again, 
in  his  proclamation  to  the  people  of  the  seceding  counties,  in 
urging  them  to  union  amongst  themselves,  he  reminds  them 
that  the  “ General  Assembly  have  told  you,  whenever  your 
wealth  and  numbers  so  much  increase,  as  to  make  a sepa- 
ration necessary,  they  will  be  willing  the  same  shall  take 
place  upon  friendly  and  reciprocal  terms.  Is  there  an  indi- 
vidual in  your  country  who  does  not  look  forward,  in  expec- 
tation of  such  a day’s  arriving  ? If  that  is  the  case,  must 
not  every  thinking  man  believe  that  this  separation  will  be 
soonest  and  most  effectually  obtained  by  unanimity?”  And 
adds  : “ I have  no  doubt  the  same  may  be  obtained  upon  the 
principles  held  out  by  the  Assembly.  Nay,  it  is  my  opinion 
that  it  may  be  obtained  at  an  earlier  day  than  some  imagine, 
if  unanimity  prevailed  amongst  you.”  And  again : “ I flat- 
ter myselt  that  the  Assembly  will  be  disposed  to  do  what  is 
just  and  right,  and  what  sound  policy  may  dictate.” 

So  general  was  the  sentiment,  even  in  North-Carolina,  in 
favour  of  the  separation,  and  so  little  inclination  there,  to 
prevent  it  by  legislative  interference,  that  the  General  As- 
sembly, though  convened  by  the  Proclamation  of  the  Go- 
vernor and  Council,  “failed  to  meet.”  Such  was  the  decision 
of  the  people  of  North-Carolina,  east  of  the  mountain,  on 
the  abstract  question  of  a new  state  west  of  it.  A like 


442 


GENERAL  PUBLIC  SENTIMENT 


opinion  was  entertained  by  Dr.  Franklin,  and  other  states- 
men abroad.  As  to  the  lime  and  the  mode  of  a measure  of 
such  magnitude,  there  could  not  be  expected  to  be  entire  una- 
nimity— there  never  is — there  never  will  be.  Those  adopted, 
in  1784,  at  first  as  has  been  seen,  gave  very  general  satis- 
faction, and  harmonized  the  community  most  directly  inter- 
ested, as  being  the  best  time  and  manner  of  providing  the 
least  objectionable  measures  to  quiet  the  discontented  and 
aggrieved  citizens  of  the  ceded  country.  Was  the  revolt  of 
1784  justifiable — was  it  wise — was  it  patriotic — did  it  pre- 
vent greater  evils — would  a different  policy  have  secured 
greater  good,  or  produced  better  results  ? may  be  questions 
of  difficult  solution.  However  these  may  be  answered,  the 
verdict  of  the  contemporaries  of  the  revolters  has  ever  been 
in  their  favour,  vindicating  their  patriotism  and  asserting  the 
integrity  of  their  motives.  Those  most  active,  and  deter- 
mined, and  steadfast  in  the  revolt,  were,  and  never  ceased  to 
be,  the  greatest  favourites  of  their  countrymen.  General 
public  sentiment  is  seldom  wrong — it  never  condemns  the 
innocent — it  rarely  vindicates  the  guilty.  While  it  never 
screens  the  wilful  offender,  it  excuses  or  palliates  uninten- 
tional error.  It  always  sustains  good  intentions  and  wise 
purposes,  and  rewards  the  faithful  public  servant.  This  was 
emphatically  true  as  to  the  Franklin  leaders.  In  1789,  its 
late  Governor,  Sevier,  now  a private  citizen,  and  under  trial 
for  offences  against  North-Carolina — ineligible  under  her 
laws  to  any  office — was  triumphantly  elected  a member  of 
her  Senate — his  disabilities  were  removed  by  a special  enact- 
ment in  his  favour,  and  he  allowed  to  take  his  seat.  A new 
Congressional  District  is  formed,  embracing  Cumberland, 
with  the  late  revolted  counties — the  same  Franklin  leader  is 
elected  the  member  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 
Her  Western  Territory  is  ceded  again  by  North-Carolina  to 
Congress,  and  the  “ Territory  south-west  of  the  River  Ohio” 
is  organized,  and  again  “ Sevier  and  his  captains”  are  promi- 
nent, as  will  be  hereafter  seen,  amongst  its  officers.  The 
Territory  becomes  the  State  of  Tennessee,  and  the  Ex-Go- 
vernor of  Franklin  is  at  once  called  upon  to  become  its  chief 
magistrate,  in  which  the  partiality  of  his  countrymen  con- 


SUSTAINED  THE  REVOLTERS. 


443 


tinues  him  for  twelve  years,  when  he  is  transferred  by  the 
people  of  the  Knoxville  District  to  the  United  States  Con- 
gress. He  is  then  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  establish  an  Indian  boundary  in  Alabama  ; and,  du- 
ring his  absence  on  that  service,  by  the  continued  confidence 
of  his  constituents,  he  is  elected  the  second  time,  and  with- 
out his  knowledge  or  consent,  to  Congress.  This  testimo- 
nial of  the  popularity  of  the  leader  of  the  Franklin  revolt, 
was  the  last  his  grateful  countrymen  could  bestow.  He  died 
in  the  Creek  nation,  during  his  absence  on  the  public  service, 
and  was  buried  with  the  honours  of  war.  What  further 
and  higher  honours  awaited  him,  may  be  inferred  from  the 
flattering  vote  and  manner  of  his  last  election. 

The  associates  of  Governor  Sevier,  in  the  Franklin  Govern- 
ment, received  through  life  similar  attestations  of  public  re- 
gard and  confidence.  William  Cocke,  Esq.,  who  belonged 
to  the  Legislature  and  the  State  Council  of  Franklin,  and 
was  its  Commissioner  to  North-Carolina  and  to  the  United 
States  Congress,  a general  of  its  militia,  and  one  of  its  most 
enlightened  advocates  throughout  its  existence,  retained,  af- 
ter the  overthrow  of  Franklin,  the  uninterrupted  confidence 
of  the  western  people.  A member  of  the  first  Legislature  of 
Tennessee,  he  was  by  that  body  elected  one  of  the  repre- 
sentatives of  her  sovereignty  in  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  and  was  afterwards  elected  the  second  time  to  the 
same  position.  At  the  expiration  of  his  second  term,  he  was 
transferred  to  a seat  in  the  Judiciary.  Although  quite  an 
old  man,  in  the  war  of  1812,  he  became  a volunteer  in  her 
militia,  and  was,  to  the  end  of  his  life,  considered  a public- 
spirited  citizen  and  a patriot.  James  White,  the  father  of 
the  late  Senator  White,  a member  of  the  Franklin  Legisla- 
ture, and  remarkable  for  the  constancy  of  his  devotion  to 
its  interests,  even  when  forsaken  by  its  earliest  friends,  re- 
tained, through  along  life,  the  unwavering  esteem  of  his  fel- 
low citizens.  The  founder  of  Knoxville  is  still  recollected 
with  fondness  and  respect.  He  was  a member  of  the  Terri- 
ntorial  House  of  Representatives — of  the  Convention  which 
formed  the  Constitution  of  Tennessee,  and  afterwards  Speak- 
er of  its  Senate,  and  Presiding  Justice  of  Knox  County 
Court — a general  commanding,  at  an  advanced  age,  a bri- 


444 


COLONEL  F.  A.  RAMSEY. 


gade  of  militia  in  defence  of  the  Independence,  which,  in  his 
youth,  he  had  assisted  to  gain.  To  extreme  old  age,  he  re- 
tained the  esteem  and  affection  of  his  fellow  citizens,  and 
never  had  a stain  upon  his  unsullied  good  name. 

In  this  enumeration  of  the  Franklin  leaders,  it  would  be 
infidelity  to  historical  truth,  and,  in  this  writer,  it  were  a filial 
impiety,  not  to  mention  Colonel  Francis  Alexander  Ramsey, 
the  youthful  Secretary  of  the  Franklin  Convention.  Re- 
sides other  civil  and  military  offices  held  by  him  under  that 
government,  he  was  a member  of  its  Council  ; and  in  that 
capacity,  was  entrusted  with  the  delicate  duty  of  negotiating 
with  the  parent  state,  the  terms  of  separation  and  indepen- 
dence. As  evidences  of  his  trust-worthiness,  capacity  and 
patriotism,  he  had  conferred  upon  him  by  the  Territorial  Go- 
vernment, as  well  as  that  of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  offices 
which  implied  ability,  probity,  efficiency  and  zeal  in  the  pub- 
lic service,  and  high  personal  character.  One  of  the  pioneers 
of  Tennessee,  in  all  the  varied  phases  of  political  organiza- 
tion through  which  the  state  has  passed,  Colonel  Ramsey  not 
only  held  offices  of  honour  and  trust,  but  discharged  their 
duties  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  people,  and  the  au- 
thorities of  government.  Offices  were  showered  upon  him, 
and  he  proved  himself  competent  and  worthy  of  them. 

To  the  names  already  mentioned,  might  well  be  added 
those  of  their  associates,  Doak,  Carter,  Reese,  Houston,  New- 
ell, Weir,  Hamilton,  Conway  and  others;  each  distinguished 
afterwards  for  piety,  public  spirit,  unobtrusive  private  worth, 
and  military  and  political  services  to  the  country.  Revolted 
in  1784,  they  were,  nevertheless,  the  purest  patriots  and  the 
best  men  of  their  day.  It  is  singular  and  well  worthy  of  re- 
mark, that  not  one  of  the  master-spirits  of  Franklin,  perhaps 
not  one  of  its  officers,  in  a long  life  of  usefulness  or  distinc- 
tion afterwards,  ever  forfeited  the  esteem,  or  lost  the  confi- 
dence, of  his  countrymen.  They  became  the  officers  under 
the  Territorial  Government,  and,  soon  after,  the  leading 
spirits  of  the  proud  State  of  Tennessee  ; a beautiful  com- 
ment upon  the  purity  of  their  principles,  and  the  loftiness  of 
their  patriotism — a fit  tribute  of  respect  for  their  public  ser- 
vices and  their  private  virtue. 


CUMBERLAND  AND  OLD  FRANKLIN  COUNTIES. 


445 


CHAPTER  V. 

CUMBERLAND— THE  FRANKLIN  COUNTIES. 

A young  Brave,  at  the  treaty  of  Watauga,  was  overheard 
by  the  interpreter,  to  urge,  in  support  of  the  Transylvania 
cession,  this  argument : that  the  settlement  and  occupancy 
of  the  ceded  territory,  by  the  whites,  would  interpose  an  im- 
pregnable barrier  between  the  Northern  and  Southern  Indians, 
and  that  the  latter  would,  in  future,  have  quiet  and  undis- 
turbed possession  of  the  choice  hunting  grounds  south  of  the 
Cumberland.  His  argument  prevailed  against  the  prophetic 
warning  and  eloquent  remonstrance  of  Occonostota.  That 
aged  chieftain,  covered  over  with  scars,  the  evidence  of 
many  a hard-fought  battle  for  the  Dark  and  Bloody  Ground, 
signed  the  treaty  reluctantly,  and  taking  Daniel  Boon  by 
the  hand,  said,  with  most  significant  earnestness:  “Brother, 
we  have  given  you  a fine  land,  but  I believe  you  will  have 
much  trouble  in  settling  it ; ” words  of  ominous  import,  as 
subsequent  events  too  mournfully  proved  These  events,  so 
far  as  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee  were  engaged  in  them,  will 
now  be  narrated.  “ Much  trouble,”  indeed,  was  experienced 
in  settling  the  ceded  country,  and  that  adjoining  it.  Instead 
of  serving  as  a barrier  between  the  common  claimants,  the 
settlers  became  a central  point  of  attack — a target  at  which 
the  surrounding  tribes  all  aimed  their  deadliest  shot. 

We  left  the  colony  of  Robertson  and  others,  near  the 
i French  Lick,  at  the  end  of  a protracted  and  severe  win- 
l ter.  The  opening  spring  enabled  the  savages  to  resume 
hostilities.  The  whole  line  of  frontier,  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Georgia,  was  simultaneously  assailed  by  marauding  parties 
of  Indians,  distributed  along  its  entire  extent.  Terror  and 
consternation  were  only  the  precursors  of  havoc  and  deso- 
lation. The  leading  chiefs  of  the  Shawnees  tribe,  which 
had  once  held  possession  of  the  Cumberland  Valley,  were 
unremitting  in  their  efforts  to  bring  about  a general  concert 


446 


CHEROKEES  AND  CREEKS  INVADE  CUMBERLAND. 


of  action  among  all  the  northwestern  tribes,  for  a grand 
exterminating  invasion,  during  the  next  summer.  In  this 
they  had  the  approbation  and  encouragement  of  British 
agents  and  officers,  at  Detroii  and  on  the  Maumee,  who 
assured  them  of  the  powerful  aid  of  their  great  ally,  George 
III.*  Similar  influences  were  constantly  at  work  with  the 
southern  tribes  ; and  in  addition  to  these  general  causes  of 
dissatisfaction  and  hostility,  Fort  Jefferson  had  been  built, 
the  previous  year,  in  the  territory  of  the  Chickasaws,  without 
their  consent,  and  the  chief,  Colbert,  prepared  to  repel  the 
invaders  by  force.  The  proximity  of  this  tribe  to  the  Cum- 
berland settlement,  was  cause  of  serious  apprehension  and 
alarm.  But  the  first  assault  upon  the  Cumberland  settlers 
was  made  by  the  southern  Indians — the  Cherokees  and 
Creeks.  They  seized  the  first  opportunity  after  the  hard 
winter  was  over,  to  approach  the  “ improvements  ” around 
the  Bluff,  and  to  carry  amongst  the  settlers  the  work  of 
massacre  and  devastation.  We  abridge  from  Haywood  and 
“ The  Museum,”  an  account  of  it : 

In  the  month  of  April,  Keywood  and  Milliken,  two  hun- 
r?80  I ^ers,  coming  to  the  fort,  stopped  on  Richland  Creek, 

( five  or  six  miles  from  the  Bluff,  and  as  one  of  them 
stepped  down  to  the  creek  to  drink,  the  Indians  fired  upon 
and  killed  Milliken.  Keywood,  escaping,  brought  intelli- 
gence of  the  affair  to  the  fort.  Mr.  Rains  then  moved  to 
the  Bluff,  where  he  continued  four  years  before  he  could  ven- 
ture again  to  settle  id  the  country.  The  Indians  soon  after 
killed  Joseph  Hay  on  the  Lick  Branch,  and  a party  of  them 
invested  Freeland’s  Station,  and  finding  an  old  man,  Bernard, 
making  an  improvement,  at  what  was  then  called  Denton’s 
Lick,  killed  him,  cut  off  his  head,  and  carried  it  away. 
With  the  old  man  were  two  small  boys,  Joseph  and  William 
Dunham,  who  escaped  unhurt  and  gave  the  alarm  to  the 
people  at  Freeland’s.  A young  man,  Milliken,  between  the 
fort  and  Denton’s  Lick,  not  having  heard  the  alarm,  was 
surprised  by  the  Indians,  killed,  and  his  head,  also,  wss  cut 
off  and  carried  away.  The  murderers  were  either  Creeks 
or  Cherokees. 


*Monette. 


MANSCO’s  STATION  BROKEN  UP. 


447 


Soon  afterwards,  in  July  or  August,  a party  of  Indians,  be- 
lieved to  be  Delawares,  killed  Jonathan  Jennings,  at  the 
point  of  the  first  island  above  Nashville.  Higher  up  the 
Cumberland  River,  on  the  north  side,  on  the  bluff  where 
William  Williams,  Esquire,  since  lived,  Ned  Carver  was 
killed  ; his  wife  and  two  children  escaped,  and  came  to  Nash- 
ville. The  same  party,  in  a day  or  two  after,  killed  William 
Neely,  at  Neely’s  Lick,  and  took  his  daughter  prisoner. 

At  Eaton’s  Station,  they  also  killed  James  Mavfieki;  near 
the  place  where,  previously,  Porter  had  been  shot  in  the  day- 
time by  Indians  in  the  cedars,  in  view  of  the  station.  In 
November  or  December,  they  shot  Jacob  Stump,  and  at- 
tempted to  kill  the  old  man,  Frederic  Stump,  but  he  reached 
tine  station  in  safety,  after  being  pursued  by  the  Indians 
three  miles.  At  Mansco’s  Lick,  Jesse  Balestine  and  John 
Shockley  were  killed.  In  the  winter  of  the  same  year,  Da- 
vid Coin  and  Risby  Kennedy  were  killed  at  the  same  place, 
and  Mansco’s  Station  was  broken  up  ; some  of  its  inhabi- 
tants went  to  Nashville,  and  others  to  Kentucky.  At  Bled- 
soe’s Lick,  or  on  the  creek  near  it,  two  persons  were  killed  : 
W.  Johnston  and  Daniel  Mungle,  hunting  together  on  Bar- 
ren River,  the  former  was  killed,  and  the  latter  escaped  by 
flight. 

Late  in  this  year,  a company  of  Indians  tried  to  intercept 
Thomas  Sharp  Spencer,  returning  to  the  Bluff  with  several 
horses  loaded  with  meat,  after  a successful  hunt.  They 
fired  at,  but  missed  him.  The  horses  were  captured,  and 
with  their  cargo,  were  taken  up  the  river. 

At  Station-Camp  Creek,  the  same  Indians  took  other 
horses,  that  had  strayed  from  a camp  of  white  men  near  at 
hand,  but  which  had  not  been  discovered  by  the  enemy. 

At  Asher’s  Station,  two  miles  and  a half  from  where  Gal- 
latin now  stands,  some  white  men  were  sleeping  in  a cabin  ; 
the  Indians  crept  up  at  break  of  day,  and  fired,  killing  one 
man,  whom  they  scalped.  They  also  wounded  another, 
Philips,  and  captured  several  horses.  With  these,  they  went 
off  in  the  direction  of  Bledsoe’s  Lick,  when  they  were  unex- 
pectedly met  by  Alexander  Buchanan,  James  Manifee,  Wil- 
liam Ellis,  Alexander  Thompson,  and  other  hunters,  return- 


448  BUCHANAN  FOLLOWS  THE  INDIANS  TO  DUCK  RIVER. 

ing  to  the  Bluff.  Buchanan  killed  one  Indian  ; another  was 
wounded,  and  the  whole  party  dispersed,  leaving,  in  their 
flight,  the  horses  taken  from  Spencer  and  Philips. 

In  May  of  this  year,  Freeland’s  Station  was  visited  by  the 
Indians;  one  man,  D.  Lariman,was  killed,  and  his  head  cut 
off.  The  whites  pursued  the  retreating  savages  to  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Duck  River,  near  the  place  since  known  as 
Gordon’s  Ferry,  where  they  came  in  hearing  of  them  prepar- 
ing their  camp-fires.  The  party  of  white  men  immediately 
dismounted,  and  marched  upon  the  Indian  camp,  which  was 
found  deserted  ; the  enemy  escaped.  Of  the  pursuers,  who 
numbered  about  twenty,  the  names  only  of  four  are  known: 
Alexander  Buchanan,  John  Brock,  William  Mann,  and  Capt. 
James  Robertson.  This  was  the  first  military  excursion  in 
that  direction,  and  reflects  great  credit  upon  the  adventure 
and  gallantry  of  those  who  made  it.  As  it  was  bloodless, 
the  enemy  was  not  deterred  from  repeating  their  inroads 
and  aggressions  upon  the  feeble  settlements  on  the  Cumber- 
land, and,  in  a short  time  after,  Isaac  Lefevre  was  killed 
near  the  fort  on  the  Bluff,  at  the  spot  where  Nathan  Ewing, 
Esq.,  since  lived.  Solomon  Philips  went  out,  about  the 
same  time,  to  the  place  since  called  Cross’s  Old  Field,  and 
was  shot  at,  and  wounded,  by  the  Indians.  He  survived  till 
he  reached  the  fort,  but  soon  died.  Samuel  Murray,  who 
was  with  him  in  the  field,  was  shot  dead.  Near  the  mound, 
south  of  where  the  steam-mill  since  stood,  Bartlett  Renfroe 
was  killed,  and  John  Maxwell  and  John  Kendrick  were  ta- 
ken prisoners. 

It  has  been  already  mentioned,  that  some  of  the  emigrants 
that  had  come  in  boats  down  the  Tennessee,  had  stopped  at 
Red  River,  with  the  intention  of  there  forming  a settlement. 
Amongst  these,  were  several  families  of  the  name  of  Ren- 
froe, and  their  connexions,  Nathan  and  Solomon  Turpin. 
In  June  or  July,  their  settlement  was  attacked  by  a party  of 
Choctaws  and  Chickasaw  Indians ; Nathan  Turpin  and 
another  man  were  killed  at  the  station.  The  residue  were 
forced  to  withdraw  to  the  stronger  settlement  at  the  Bluff. 
The  Renfroes  took  charge  of  the  women  and  children,  and 
conducted  them  in  safely.  They  afterwards,  in  company 


ROBERTSON  MAKES  PEACE  WITH  THE  CHICKASAWS. 


449 


with  others  from  the  Bluff,  went  to  the  station  on  Red  River, 
got  quiet  possession  of  some  property  they  had  left  there,  and 
were  upon  their  return  march.  At  night  they  encamped 
about  two  miles  north  of  Sycamore,  at  a creek,  since  called 
Battle  Creek.  In  the  morning,  Joseph  Renfroe  going  to  ther 
spring,  was  fired  at  and  instantly  killed  by  the  Indians,  wha 
lay  concealed  in  the  bushes.  They  then  broke  in  upon  the 
camp,  and  killed  old  Mr.  Johns  and  his  wife,  and  all  his 
family.  Only  one  woman,  Mrs.  Jones,  escaped  ; Henry  Ram- 
sey, a bold  and  intrepid  man,  who  had  gone  from  the  Bluff, 
took  her  off,  and  brought  her  in  safety  to  the  station. 
Eleven  or  twelve  others,  there  at  the  time  of  the  attack,  were 
all  killed  ; the  Indians,  taking  possession  of  the  horses  and 
other  property,  went  off  towards  the  south. 

The  ostensible  ground  of  these  hostilities  by  the  Chicka- 
saws,  was  the  erection,  by  General  George  Rogers  Clarke,  of 
Fort  Jefferson,  eighteen  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio, 
and  on  the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi.  All  the  territory 
west  of  the  Tennessee,  the  Chickasaws  pretended  to  hold 
by  an  undisputed  claim.  Offended  at  Clarke’s  intrusion  upon 
their  lands,  these  savages,  till  then  neutral,  became  the  allies 
of  the  British  nation,  and  were  so  at  the  time  this  mischief 
was  perpetrated.  In  1782,  Captain  Robertson  made  peace 
with  them. 

In  the  summer  of  this  year,  Philip  Catron,  riding 
1780  $ Rom  Freeland’s  Station  to  the  Bluff,  was  fired  on  by 
t the  Indians,  at  the  place  since  occupied  by  Ephraim 
Foster,  Esquire.  He  was  wounded  in  the  breast,  so  that  he 
spit  blood,  but  he  recovered.  About  the  same  time,  as  Cap- 
tain John  Caffrey  and  Daniel  Williams  were  rising  the  bank, 
in  going  towards  the  Bluff,  they  were  fired  upon  and 
wounded.  They  reached  the  station. 

In  the  fall  of  this  year,  the  Indians  depredated  further 
upon  the  settlers,  by  stealing  horses  from  the  Bluff.  Leiper, 
with  fifteen  men,  pursued  and  overtook  them  on  the  south 
side  of  Harper,  near  where  Ellison  formerly  lived.  They  were 
encamped  at  night,  and  the  evening  was  wet.  Leiper  and 
his  men  fired  upon  them,  wounded  one,  regained  their  horses 
and  all  their  baggage,  and  returned. 

29 


450 


doneeson’s  boats  attacked. 


Nearly  at  the  same  time,  Col.  John  Donelson  had  gone 
up  the  Cumberland  to  the  Clover  Bottom,  with  two  boats, 
for  the  purpose  of  bringing  to  the  Bluff  the  corn  which  he 
and  others  had  raised  there  the  preceding  summer.  They 
had  laden  the  boats  with  the  corn,  and  had  proceeded  a small 
distance  down  the  river,  when  the  Colonel,  recollecting  that 
he  had  forgotten  to  gather  some  cotton  which  had  been 
planted  at  the  lower  end  of  the  field,  asked  the  men  in  the 
other  boat  to  put  to  bank,  for  the  purpose  of  picking  out  a 
part  of  it.  They  urged  that  it  was  growing  late,  and  that 
they  ought  to  go  on.  He  waived  the  exercise  of  his  au- 
thority, and  had  scarcely  landed  his  own  boat,  when  his 
companions  in  the  other  were  suddenly  attacked  by  a party 
of  Indians,  who  lay  in  ambush  to  intercept  the  boats  on  their 
return.  The  fire  of  the  Indians  was  fatal.  All  were  killed 
except  a free  negro  and  one  white  man,  who  swam  to  shore, 
and  wandered  many  days  in  the  woods  before  he  reached 
the  Bluff.  The  next  morning  after  the  defeat,  the  people  at 
the  Station  found  the  boat  floating  in  the  river.  It  wa: 
brought  to  the  shore,  and  a dead  man  was  in  it.  In  this  affair, 
Abel  Gower,  Senr.,  and  Abel  Gower,  Junr.,  and  John  Ro- 
bertson, son  of  Captain  Robertson,  were  killed.  Some  others 
were  wounded  and  taken  prisoners.  Col.  Donelson  escaped 
to  Mansco’s  Station. 

The  only  one  of  the  settlers  who  died,  the ' first  year,  a 
natural  death,  was  Robert  Gilkey. 

Michael  Stoner,  this  year,  discovered  Stoner’s  Lick  and 
Stoner’s  Creek. 

The  woods  abounded  in  game,  and  the  hunters  procured 
a full  supply  of  meat  for  the  inhabitants  by  killing  bears, 
buffalo  and  deer.  A party  of  twenty  men  went  up  the 
Cany  Fork  as  high  as  Flinn’s  Creek,  and  returned  in  ca- 
noes with  their  meat,  during  the  winter.  In  their  hunting 
excursion  they  killed  one  hundred  and  five  bears,  seventy- 
five  buffalo,  and  more  than  eighty  deer.  This  source  of 
supply  furnished  most  of  the  families  at-the  Bluff  with  meat 
A freshet,  in  July,  had  destroyed  most  of  the  corn  on  the  low- 
lands and  islands,  and  many  suffered  the  want  of  bread 
The  scarcity  of  this  article,  and  the  multiplied  disasters  and 


NIGHT  ATTACK  ON  FREELANIl’s  STATION. 


451 


dangers  which  every  moment  threatened  the  settlements 
with  destruction,  at  length  disheartened  some  of  the  inhabi- 
tants. A considerable  part  of  them  moved  to  Kentucky  and 
Illinois.  The  severity  of  the  winter  and  the  want  of  horses, 
put  a stop  to  this  emigration,  and  all  the  remaining  inhabi- 
tants collected  themselves  together  into  two  stations — the 
Bluff  and  Freeland’s. 

Forty  or  fifty  Indians,  at  the  still  hour  of  midnight,  January 
1*781  5 fifteenth,  of  this  year,  made  an  attack  on  Freeland’s 
l Station.  Captain  James  Robertson  had,  the  evening 
before,  returned  from  the  Kentucky  settlements.  Whilst  on 
his  journey  through  the  intervening  wilderness,  he  had  accus- 
tomed himself  to  more  vigilance  than  the  residents  of  the 
fort  felt  it  necessary,  in  their  fancied  security,  to  exercise.  He 
was  the  first  to  hear  the  noise  which  the  cautious  savages 
made  in  opening  the  gate.  He  arose  and  alarmed  the  men 
in  the  station.  But  the  Indians  had  effected  an  entrance. 
The  cry  of  Indians , brought  Major  Lucas  out  of  bed  ; he  was 
shot.  The  alarm  having  become  genera],  the  Indians  re- 
treated through  the  gate,  but  fired  in  the  port-holes  through 
the  house  in  which  Major  Lucas  lived.  In  this  house  a ne- 
gro of  Captain  Robertson  was  shot.  These  were  the  only 
fatal  shots,  though  not  less  than  five  hundred  were  fired  into 
that  house  ; it  was  the  only  one  in  which  the  port-holes  were 
not  filled  up  with  mud.  The  whites  numbered  only  eleven, 
but  they  made  good  use  of  the  advantage  they  possessed  in 
the  other  houses  in  the  fort.  Captain  Robertson  shot  an  In- 
dian. The  whole  body  of  them  soon  after  retreated.  The 
moon  shone  bright,  otherwise  this  attack  would  probably 
have  succeeded,  as  the  fort  was  once  in  possession  of  the 
Indians.  They  had  found  means  to  loosen  the  chain  on  the 
inside,  which  confined  the  gate,  and  they  were  also  superior 
in  numbers. 

After  this  repulse,  the  Indians  received  reinforcements 
from  the  Cherokee  nation.  They  burnt  up  every  thing  be- 
fore them,  immense  quantities  of  corn  and  other  produce, 
as  well  as  the  houses  and  fences,  and  the  unoccupied  stations 
o'i  the  whites.  The  alarm  became  general.  All  who  could 
get  to  the  Bluff  or  Eaton’s  Station,  did  so,  but  many  never 


452 


MRS.  DUNHAM  RESCUES  HER  DAUGHTER. 


saw  their  comrades  in  those  places  ; some  were  killed  sleep- 
ing ; some  were  awakened  only  to  be  apprised  that  their 
last  moment  was  come  ; some  were  killed  in  the  noon-day, 
when  not  suspecting  danger  ; death  seemed  ready  to  em- 
brace the  whole  of  the  adventurers.  In  the  morning,  when 
Mansco’s  Lick  Station  was  broken  up,  two  men  who  had 
slept  a little  later  than  their  companions,  were  shot  by  two 
guns  pointed  through  a port  hole  by  the  Indians.  These  were 
David  Goin  and  Patrick  Quigley.  Many  of  the  terrified 
settlers  moved  to  Kentucky,  or  went  down  the  river.  It  is 
strange  that  all  did  not  go  out  of  the  way  of  impending  dan- 
ger Heroism  was  then  an  attribute  even  with  the  gentler  sex. 
Mrs.  Dunham  sent  a small  girl  out  of  the  fort,  to  bring  in 
something  she  wanted,  and  the  Indians  being  there,  took  hold 
of  the  child  and  scalped,  without  killing  her.  The  mother 
hearing  the  cries  of  the  child,  advanced  towards  the  place 
where  she  was,  and  was  shot  by  the  Indians  and  wounded 
dangerously.  She  and  the  daughter  lived  many  years  after- 
wards. 

Late  in  March,  of  this  year,  Colonel  Samuel  Barton,  pass- 
ing near  the  head  of  the  branch  which  extends  from  the 
stone  bridge,  was  fired  upon  by  Indians  in  ambush,  and 
wounded  in  the  wrist.  He  ran  with  the  blood  streaming 
from  the  wound,  followed  by  a warrior  in  close  pursuit. 
They  were  seen  from  the  fort,  and  Martin,  one  of  the  soldiers 
in  it,  ran  out  to  meet  and  assist  his  comrade.  The  pursuing 
Indian  retreated. 

On  the  second  day  of  April,  in  this  year,  a desperate  at- 
tempt was  made  by  the  Indians  to  take  the  fort  and  station 
at  the  Bluff.  A numerous  body  of  Cherokee  warriors  came 
there  in  the  night  and  lay  around  in  ambush.  Next  morn- 
ing three  of  them  came  in  sight,  and  fired  at  the  fort  on  the 
Bluff  and  immediately  retreated.  Nineteen  horsemen  in  the 
fort,  at  once  mounted  their  horses  and  followed  them.  When 
they  came  to  the  branch,  over  which  the  stone  bridge  has 
since  been  built,  they  discovered  Indians  in  the  creek  and  in 
the  thickets  near  it.  These  arose  from  their  places  of  con- 
cealment and  fired  upon  the  horsemen.  The  latter  dismount- 
ed to  give  them  battle,  and  returned  their  fire  with  great 


BLUFF  VIGOROUSLY  ATTACKED  AND  BRAVELY  DEFENDED.  453 


alacrity.  Another  party  of  the  enemy  lay  concealed  in 
the  wild  brush  and  cedars,  near  the  place  where  Mr.  De 
Mumbrune’s  house  stood  in  1821,  ready  to  rush  into  the 
fort,  in  rear  of  the  combatants.  The  horses  ran  back 
to  the  fort — the  horsemen  being  left  on  foot.  To  guard 
against  the  expected  assault  from  the  Indians  against  those 
in  the  fort,  its  gates  were  closed,  and  preparations  made  for 
defence.  In  the  meantime,  the  battle  raged  without.  Pe- 
ter Gill,  Alexander  Buchanan,  George  Kennedy,  Zachariah 
White  and  Captain  Leiper,  were  killed  on  the  spot.  James 
Manifee  and  Joseph  Moonshaw,  and  others,  were  wounded 
before  they  could  reach  the  fort.  At  the  place  where  the 
stone  house  of  Cross  was  afterwards  built,  Isaac  Lucas  had 
his  thigh  broken  by  a ball.  His  comrades  had  gotten  within 
the  fort,  and  the  Indians  rushed  upon  him  to  take  his  scalp. 
One  of  them  running  towards  him,  and  being  at  a short  dis- 
tance from  the  supposed  victim  of  his  barbarous  revenge, 
was  fired  upon  and  shot  through  the  body  by  Lucas,  who, 
with  his  rifle  well  charged,  was  lying  unable  to  rise  from  the 
ground.  The  Indian  died  instantly.  The  people  in  the  fort, 
in  order  to  save  Lucas,  kept  up  a brisk  and  warm  fire  upon 
those  parties  of  the  assailants  who  attempted  to  get  to  him, 
and  finally  succeeded  in  driving  them  off.  Lucas  was  taken 
and  brought  into  the  fort  by  his  own  people. 

Amongst  those  who  escaped  towards  the  fort,  was  Edward 
Swanson,  who  was  so  closely  pursued  by  an  Indian  warrior 
as  to  be  overtaken  by  him.  The  Indian  punched  him  with 
the  muzzle  of  his  gun,  and  pulled  trigger,  when  the  gun 
snapped.  Swanson  laid  hold  of  the  muzzle,  and  wringing  the 
lock  to  one  side,  spilled  the  priming  from  the  pan.  The  In- 
dian looked  into  the  pan,  and  finding  no  powder  in  it,  struck 
him  with  the  gun  barrel,  the  muzzle  foremost ; the  stroke  not 
bringing  him  to  the  ground,  the  Indian  clubbed  his  gun,  and 
striking  Swanson  with  it  near  the  lock,  knocked  him  down. 
At  this  moment  John  Buchanan,  Sen.,  father  of  the  late  Ma- 
jor Buchanan,  seeing  the  certain  death  that  impended  his 
comrade,  gallantly  rushed  from  the  fort  to  the  rescue  of 
Swanson.  Coming  near  enough  to  fire,  he  discharged  his 


454 


BUCHANAN  BRINGS  OFF  SWANSON. 


rifle  at  the  Indian,  who,  gritting  his  teeth  on  receiving  its 
contents,  retired  to  a stump  near  at  hand.  Buchanan  brought 
off  Swanson,  and  they  both  got  into  the  fort  without  further 
injury.  From  the  stump  to  which  the  wounded  warrior  re- 
tired, was  found,  after  the  Indian  forces  had  withdrawn,  a 
trail,  made  by  a body  dragged  along  upon  the  ground,  much 
marked  with  blood. 

When  the  Indians  fired  upon  the  horsemen  at  the  branch, 
the  party  of  them  lying  in  ambush  at  DeMumbrune’s,  rose 
and  marched  towards  the  river,  forming  a line  between  the 
combatants  arid  the  fort.  In  the  meantime,  when  the  firing 
between  the  dismounted  horsemen  and  the  enemy  had  com- 
menced, the  horses  took  fright,  and  ran  in  full  speed  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Indian  line  towards  the  French  Lick,  passing 
by  the  fort  on  the  Bluff.  Seeing  this,  a number  of  Indians 
in  the  line,  eager  to  get  possession  of  the  horses,  left  their 
ranks  and  went  in  pursuit  of  them.  At  this  instant  the  dogs 
in  the  fort,  seeing  the  confusion,  and  hearing  the  firing,  ran 
towards  the  branch,  and  came  to  that  part  of  the  Indian  line 
that  remained  yet  unbroken,  and  having  been  trained  to  hos- 
tilities against  Indians,  made  a most  furious  onset  upon  them, 
and  disabled  them  from  doing  any  thing  more  than  defending 
themselves.  Whilst  thus  engaged,  the  whites  passed  near 
them,  through  the  interval  in  the  Indian  line  made  by  those 
who  had  gone  from  it  in  pursuit  of  the  horses.  Had  it  not 
been  for  these  fortunate  circumstances,  the  white  men  could 
never  have  succeeded  in  reaching  the  fort  through  the  In- 
dian line  which  had  taken  post  between  it  and  them.  Such 
of  the  nineteen  as  survived,  would  have  had  to  break  through 
the  line,  their  own  guns  being  empty,  whilst  those  of  the  In- 
dians were  well  charged. 

This  attack  was  well  planned  by  the  Indians,  and  was 
carried  on  with  some  spirit.  At  length  they  retired,  leaving 
upon  the  field  the  dead  Indian  killed  by  Lucas  ; another  was 
found  buried  on  the  east  side  of  the  creek,  in  a hollow,  north 
of  the  place  since  occupied  by  Mr.  Hume.  Many  of  the 
Indians  were  seen  hopping  with  lame  feet  or  legs,  and  other- 
wise wounded.  Their  loss  could  never  be  ascertained.  It 


REMARKABLE  RECOVERY  OF  DAVID  HOOD. 


455 


must  have  been  considerable.  They  got  nineteen  horses, 
saddles,  bridles  and  blankets,  and  could  easily  remove  their 
dead  and  wounded. 

On  the  night  of  the  same  day  in  which  this  affair  took 
place,  another  party  of  Indians,  who  had  not  come  up  in 
time  to  be  present  at  the  battle,  marched  to  the  ground  since 
occupied  by  Poyzer’s  and  Condon’s  houses  and  lots,  and  fired 
some  time  upon  the  fort.  A swivel,  charged  with  small  rocks 
and  pieces  of  pots,  was  discharged  at  them.  They  immedi- 
ately withdrew. 

In  the  summer  of  this  year,  William  Hood  was  killed  by 
a party  of  Indians,  on  the  outside  of  the  fort,  at  Freeland’s 
Station.  They  did  not,  at  that  time,  attack  the  station. 
Between  that  place  and  the  French  Lick,  about  the  same 
time,  they  killed  old  Peter  Renfroe,  and  withdrew.  In  the 
fall,  Timothy  Terri],  from  North-Carolina-,  was  killed. 

As  Jacob  Freeland  was  hunting  on  Stoner’s  Lick  Creek,  at 

the  place  wher-e  John  Castleman  since  lived,  he  was  killed 

/ 

by  the  Indians.  There,  also,  at  another  time,  they  killed 
Joseph  Castleman.  Jacob  Castleman  soon  after,  going  in 
the  woods  to  hunt,  was  surprised  and  killed. 

Like  atrocities  marked  the  spring  of  this  year.  At  the 
1782  i French  Lick,  three  persons  were  fired  upon  by  a party 
l of  Indians.  John  Tucker  and  Joseph  Hendricks  were 
wounded,  and  being  pursued  till  in  sight  of  the  fort,  they 
were  rescued  and  their  pursuers  repulsed.  The  third,  David 
Hood,  the  Indians  shot  down,  scalped  and  trampled  upon 
him,  and  believing  him  dead,  they  left  him  and  gave  chase 
to  his  wounded  comrades.  Hood,  supposing  the  Indians 
were  gone,  wounded  and  scalped  as  he  was,  got  up  softly, 
and  began  to  walk  towards  the  fort  at  the  Bluff.  To  his 
mortification  and  surprise,  he  saw,  standing  upon  the  bank 
of  the  creek  before  him,  the  same  Indians  who  had  wounded 
him,  making  sport  of  his  misfortunes  and  mistake.  They 
then  fell  on  him  again,  and  inflicting  other  apparently  mor- 
tal wounds,  left  him.  He  fell  into  a brush  heap  in  the  snow, 
and  next  morning,  search  being  made  by  the  whites,  he  was 
found  by  his  blood,  and  being  taken  home,  was  placed  in  an 


456 


FIRST  MILLS  ERECTED  ON  CUMBERLAND. 


out-house  as  a dead  man.  To  the  surprise  of  all,  he  revived, 
and  after  some  time  recovered,  and  lived  many  years. 

The  first  mill  erected  was  near  Eaton’s  Station,  on  the 
farm  since  occupied  by  Mr.  Talbot.  It  was  the  property  of 
James  Wells,  Esq.;  the  next,  by  Colonel  George  Mansco ; 
the  third,  by  Captain  Frederick  Stump,  on  White’s  Creek ; 
the  fourth,  by  David  Ronfifer,  on  the  same  creek ; and  the 
next,  by  Major  J.  Buchanan. 

After  their  unsuccessful  attempt  against  the  Bluff,  in  1781, 
the  Indians  continued  occasional  irruptions  and  depredations 
throughout  the  forming  settlements  on  Cumberland.  In  that 
3rear  little  corn  was  raised.  The  scarcity  of  grain  compelled 
the  settlers  to  plant  more  largely,  and  raise  more,  grain  in 
1782,  and  to  procure  subsistence  by  hunting.  In  both  these 
pursuits,  many  became  victims  to  the  stratagem  and  cruelty 
of  their  savage  enemy. 

A settlement  had  been  begun  at  Kilgore’s  Station,  on  the 
north  side  of  Cumberland,  on  Red  River.  At  this  place 
Samuel  Martin  and  Isaac  Johnston,  returning  to  the  Bluff, 
were  fired  upon  by  the  Indians.  They  took  Martin  prisoner, 
and  carried  him  into  the  Creek  nation.  He  remained  there 
nearly  a year,  and  came  home  elegantly  dressed,  with  two 
valuable  horses  and  silver  spurs.  It  was  said,  afterwards, 
that  he  had  concerted  with  the  Indians  the  time  and  place 
of  the  attack  made  by  them,  and  that  he  was  a sharer  in  the 
plunder.  Isaac  Johnston  escaped  and  came  home. 

Of  the  other  settlers  at  Kilgore’s,  were  two  young  men 
named  Mason,  Moses  Maiding,  Ambrose  Maiding,  Josiah 
Hoskins,  Jesse  Simons,  and  others.  The  two  young  men, 
Mason,  had  gone  to  Clay  Lick,  and  had  posted  themselves 
in  a secret  place  to  watch  for  deer.  Whilst  they  were  thus 
situated,  seven  Indians  came  to  the  Lick  ; the  lads  took  good 
aim,  fired  upon  and  killed  two  Indians,  and  then  ran  with 
all  speed  to  the  fort,  where,  being  joined  by  three  of  the 
garrison,  they  returned  to  the  Lick,  found  and  scalped  the 
dead  Indians,  and  returned.  That  night  John  and  Ephraim 
Peyton,  on  their  way  to  Kentucky,  called  in  and  remained 
all  night  at  the  fort.  During  the  night  all  the  horses  that 


457 


kilgore’s  station  abandoned. 

. • •'  / 
were  there  were  stolen.  In  the  morning  pursuit  was  made, 
and  the  Indians  were  overtaken  in  the  evening,  at  a creek, 
since  called  Peyton’s  Creek.  They  were  fired  upon.  One 
was  killed  and  the  rest  of  them  fled,  leaving  the  stolen 
horses  to  the  owners.  The  pursuers  returned  that  night,  in 
the  direction  of  the  fort,  and  encamped,  and  were  progressing, 
next  morning,  on  their  way.  In  the  meantime,  the  Indians, 
by  a circuitous  route,  had  got  between  them  and  the  station, 
and  when  the  whites  came  near  enough,  fired  upon  them, 
killing  one  of  the  Mason,  and  Josiah  Hoskins,  and  taking 
some  spoil.  The  Indians  then  retreated.  Discouraged  by 
these  daring  depredations,  the  people  at  Kilgore’s  Station 
broke  up  their  establistiment  and  joined  those  at  the  Bluff. 

In  this  year,  also,  George  Aspie  was  killed,  on  Drake’s 
Creek,  by  the  Indians,  and  Thomas  Spencer,  wounded.  In 
the  fall  William  McMurray  was  killed  near  Winchester’s 
Mill,  on  Bledsoe’s  Creek,  and  General  Smith  was  wounded. 
Noah  Trammel  was  killed  on  Goose  Creek.  Malden’s  Sta- 
tion, on  Red  River,  was  broken  up  and  abandoned. 

Such  were  the  difficulties  and  dangers  that  accompanied 
the  infancy  of  the  Cumberland  settlements,  that,  from  ne- 
cessity, it  became  a custom  of  the  country  for  one  or  two 
persons  to  stand  as  watchmen  or  sentinels,  whilst  others  la- 
boured in  the  field  ; and  even  whilst  one  went  to  a spring  to 
drink,  another  stood  on  the  watch,  with  his  rifle  ready  to  pro- 
tect him,  by  shooting  a creeping  Indian,  or  one  rising  from 
the  thickets  of  canes  and  brush  that  covered  him  from  view; 
and  wherever  four  or  five  were  assembled  together  at  a 
spring,  or  other  place,  where  business  required  them  to  be, 
they  held  their  guns  in  their  hands,  and  with  their  backs 
turned  to  each  other,  one  faced  the  north,  another  the  south, 
another  the  west — watching,  in  all  directions,  for  a lurking 
or  creeping  enemy.  Whilst  the  people  at  the  Bluff  were  so 
much  harassed  and  galled  by  the  Indians  that  they  could  not 
plant  nor  cultivate  their  corn-fields,  a proposition  was  made, 
in  a council  of  the  inhabitants,  to  break  up  the  settlements 
and  go  off.  Captain  Robertson  pertinaciously  resisted  this 
proposition.  It  was  then  impossible  to  reach  Kentucky  ; the  In- 


458  ROBERTSON  DISSUADES  FROM  BREAKING  UP  THE  STATIONS. 

dians  were  in  force  upon  all  the  roads  and  passages  which  led 
to  it ; for  the  same  reason,  it  was  also  impossible,  and  equally 
impracticable,  to  remove  to  the  settlements  on  Holston.  No 
other  means  of  escape  remained,  but  that  of  going  down  the 
river  in  boats,  and  making  good  their  retreat  to  the  Illinois. 
And  even  to  this  plan,  great  obstacles  were  opposed  ; for  how 
was  the  wood  to  be  obtained,  with  which  to  make  the  boats  ? 
The  Indians  were,  every  day,  in  the  skirts  of  the  Bluff, 
lying  concealed  among  the  shrubs  and  cedar  trees,  ready 
to  inflict  death  upon  whoever  should  attempt  to  go  to  the 
woods.  These  difficulties  were  all  stated  by  Captain  Ro- 
bertson. He  held  out  the  dangers  attendant  upon  the  at- 
tempt, on  the  one  hand  ; the  fine  country  they  were  on  the 
point  of  possessing,  on  the  other.  To  these  he  added,  the 
probability  of  new  acquisitions  of  numbers  from  the  older 
settlements,  and  the  certainty  of  being  able,  by  careful  at- 
tention to  circumstances,  to  defend  and  support  themselves 
till  succour  could  arrive.  At  length,  the  parental  advice  and 
authority  of  Robertson  prevailed.  He  finally  succeeded  in 
quieting  the  apprehensions  of  his  co-colonists;  and  they 
gradually  relinquished  the  design  of  evacuating  the  posi- 
tions they  occupied,  now  somewhat  hallowed  to  them  by  the 
recollection  of  past  dangers,  endured  toils,  difficulties  over- 
come, and  triumphs  achieved. 

The  expectations  of  Captain  Robertson  were,  in  part,  soon 
realized.  The  revolutionary  war  was  ended  ; an  abatement 
of  Indian  hostility  soon  followed  ; and  additional  emigrants 
from  North-Carolina  and  other  states,  gave  renewed  strength 
and  animation  and  permanence  to  his  settlement. 

But,  notwithstanding  these  favourable  circumstances,  offer- 
| ing,  as  they  did,  some  alleviation  of  the  suffering  en- 
t dured  on  Cumberland,  still,  in  1783,  the  offensive  ope- 
rations of  the  Indians  were  occasionally  continued.  One  of 
the  guard  who  came  to  the  Bluff  with  the  Commissioners 
from  North-Carolina,  Roger  Top,  was  killed  at  the  place 
where  Mr.  Deaderick  has  since  lived.  At  the  same  time 
and  place,  Roger  Glass  was  wounded.  Within  two  days 
after  these  acts  of  hostility,  a settler,  passing  the  place  where 


ROBERTSON  OBTAINS  A CESSION  FROM  CHICKASAWS.  459 

the  stone  bridge  now  is,  was  shot  at  and  wounded  by  the 
Indians.  He  succeeded  in  reaching  the  fort,  but  died  soon 
afterwards. 

The  Chickasaws,  early  in  1783,  assembled  in  the  vicinity 
of  Nashville,  at  Robertson’s  Station,  where  a treaty  was  con- 
cluded, ceding  and  relinquishing  to  North-Carolina  a region 
of  country  extending  nearly  forty  miles  south  of  Cumber- 
land River,  to  the  ridge  dividing  the  tributaries  of  that  stream 
from  those  of  Duck  and  Elk.* 

The  policy  of  Spain,  at  this  time,  was,  to  secure  the  good 
feelings,  if  not  the  aid,  of  the  southern  Indians.  The  agents 
of  that  Power  invited  those  tribes  to  meet  and  hold  confer- 
ences with  them,  at  the  Walnut  Hills.  From  these  confer- 
ences they  returned,  as  was  believed,  with  dispositions  less 
amicable  to  the  new  settlements  on  the  Cumberland.  No 
large  body  of  them  invaded  that  country,  but  small  parties  of 
Indians  were  constantly  waylaying  the  paths  and  surround- 
ing the  corn-fields  of  the  emigrants.  Such  of  them  as  were 
exploring  the  country,  and  making  locations,  were  closely 
watched,  and  some  of  them  killed.  Ireson  and  Barnett,  on 
a surveying  excursion,  were  shot  down  and  killed.  On  Rich- 
land Creek,  near  what  has  since  been  the  plantation  of  Mr. 
Irwin,  William  Daniel,  Joseph  Dunham,  Joshua  Norrington, 
and  Joel  Mills,  were  all  killed  ; and  in  a path  leading  from 
Dunham’s  Fort  to  Armstrong’s,  at  the  head  of  the  same 
creek,  where  Castleman  since  lived,  a soldier  was  killed  as 
he  passed  from  one  fort  to  the  other. 

At  Armstrong’s  Fort,  as  Patsy,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Rains, 
was  riding  on  horseback,  with  a young  woman,  Betsey  Wil- 
liams, behind  her,  they  were  fired  upon  by  the  Indians,  and 
the  latter  killed  ; the  former  escaped.  A short  time  after- 
wards, near  the  same  place,  Joseph  Noland  was  killed  ; and 
during  the  same  summer,  a son  of  Thomas  Noland  ; and  du- 
ring the  fall,  the  old  man,  himself,  were  also  killed  near  this 
same  place.  About  the  same  time,  the  Indians  killed  the 
father  of  Betsey  Williams,  above  mentioned. 

Buchanan’s  Station  was  upon  Mill  Creek,  five  miles  from 


*Monette,  ii.,  268. 


460 


CAPTAIN  PRUETT  PURSUES  THE  INDIANS. 


the  Bluff,  not  far  from  the  farm  at  the  present  time  owned  by 
A.  R.  Crozier,  Esq.,  on  the  Turnpike  leading  fron  Nashville 
to  Lebanon.  There  the  Indians,  in  this  year,  killed  Samuel 
Buchanan,  William  Mulherrin  and  three  others,  who  were 
guarding  the  station.  Going  from  the  Bluff  to  Kentucky, 
William  Overall  was  killed,  and  Joshua  Thomas  mortally 
wounded.  The  Indians  having  stolen  horses  from  the 
Bluff,  Captain  William  Pruett  raised  twenty  men  and  pur- 
sued them  to  Richland  Creek  of  Elk  River,  overtook  them, 
and  recaptured  the  horses  on  the  waters  of  Big  Creek.  They 
fired  upon,  but  did  not  kill  any  of  the  Indians.  As  they  re- 
turned, they  encamped  near  a creek  on  the  north  side  of 
Duck  River.  As  they  began  their  march  next  morning,  they 
were  fired  upon  by  the  Indians  in  their  rear.  Moses  Brown 
was  killed  in  a cane-brake,  and  the  ground  being  unfavour- 
able, the  whites  retreated  a mile  and  a half  to  more  open 
ground,  and  there  halted  and  formed.  The  Indians  came 
up  and  an  engagement  ensued.  Captain  Pruett  and  Daniel 
Johnson  were  shot  down,  and  Morris  Shine  was  wounded. 
Being  overpowered,  the  survivors  of  the  party  made  good 
their  escape  to  the  Bluff,  with  the  loss  of  their  recaptured 
horses. 

These  repeated  aggressions  and  depredations  upon  the 
lives  and  property  of  the  settlers,  were  the  more  pertina- 
ciously renewed  and  persisted  in,  from  the  fact,  that  North- 
Carolina  had,  in  April  of  this  year,  appropriated  the  lands 
hitherto  claimed  by  the  Chickasaws  and  Cherokees,  except 
those  which,  by  the  same  act,  were  allowed  to  them  for 
their  hunting  grounds.  This  unceremonious  intrusion  upon 
their  supposd  rights,  together  with  the  machinations  of  the 
agents  of  Spain,  had  the.  effect  to  exasperate  their  hostility 
to  the  settlements  of  the  whites  now  beginning  to  expand 
and  acquire  permanence,  by  the  additional  strength  of  other 
emigrants  from  a different  direction.  Turnbull,  a trader, 
came  from  Natchez  with  horses  and  skins  procured  in  the 
Chickasaw  nation.  From  the  same  place,  Absalom  Hooper, 
Thomas  James,  Philip  Alston,  James  Drumgold,  James 
Cole,  James  Donelson  and  others,  also  arrived.  A station, 
was  this  year  established  by  Samuel  Ha)rs  on  Stone’s  River. 


GALLANTRY  OF  MASON  AND  TRAMMEL. 


461 


Constantly  harassed  and  alarmed  by  the  continued  re- 
1(jg4  ( currence  of  Indian  hostility  against  his  colony,  Col. 

I Robertson  could  no  longer  resist  the  conviction,  that 
hissavage  neighbours  on  the  south  were  instigated  in  their  un- 
friendly conduct  to  the  people  on  Cumberland  by  some  foreign 
influence,  and  he  suspected  that  influence  might  be  from  the 
agents  of  Spain.  He  entered  into  correspondence  with  one 
of  them,  Mr.  Ported,  assuring  him  of  a disposition  on  the  part 
of  his  countrymen  to  maintain  with  the  Spanish  colonists 
the  most  friendly  relations.  Mr.  Ported,  in  reply,  expressed 
his  gratitude  for  the  amicable  behaviour  of  the  Cumberland 
people,  and  promised  to  maintain  the  best  relations  on  his 
side,  and  expressed  a wish  to  be  useful  to  the  Colonel  and 
his  countrymen.  Still,  incursions  for  the  purpose  of  murder 
and  plunder,  continued  to  be  made  by  the  Indians.  Early 
in  this  year,  Philip  Trammel  and  Philip  Mason  were  killed. 
As  one  amongst  a thousand  instances  of  the  unequalled  for- 
titude and  gallantry  of  the  first  settlers,  a recitation  is  here 
given  of  the  conflict  in  which  they  ended  their  existence. 
These  two  men  had  killed  a deer  at  the  head  of  White’s 
Creek,  and  were  skinning  it.  The  Indians  stole  up  to  the 
place  and  fired  upon  them.  They  wounded  Mason  and 
carried  off  the  venison.  Trammel  got  assistance  from 
Eaton’s  Station,  and  followed  the  Indians.  He  came  up  with 
them  ; they  fought,  and  he  killed  two  of  them.  The  Indians 
being  reinforced,  and  Mason  having  received  a second  and 
mortal  wound,  the  whites  were  once  more  obliged  to  retreat. 
Trammel  found  some  other  white  men  in  the  woods,  and 
induced  them  to  go  back  with  him  to  the  place  where  the 
Indians  were.  They  found  the  latter,  and  immediately  re- 
newed the  fight.  They  killed  three  Indians,  and  fought  till 
both  parties  were  tired.  Trammel  and  Josiah  Hoskins, 
enthusiastically  courageous,  and  determined  to  make  the 
enemy  yield  the  palm  of  victory,  gallantly  precipitated  them- 
selves into  the  midst  of  the  retreating  Indians,  where  they 
fell  by  the  hands  of  the  foe.  The  rest  of  the  white  men  main- 
tained their  ground  until  both  parties  were  exhausted  and 
willing  to  rest  from  their  martial  labours. 

Another  spirited  affair,  scarcely  less  heroic,  deserves  also 


/ 


462  COURAGEOUS  DEFENCE  BY  ASPIE  AND  OTHERS. 

to  be  specially  mentioned.  Aspie,  Andrew  Lucas,  Thomas 
S.  Spencer  and  Johnston,  had  left  the  Bluff  on  horseback  on  a 
hunting  tour.  They  had  reached  the  head  waters  of  Drake’s 
Creek,  where  their  horses  had  stopped  to  drink.  At  this 
moment  a party  of  Indians  fired  upon  them.  Lucas  was 
shot  through  the  neck  and  through  the  mouth.  Lie,  however, 
dismounted  with  the  rest,  but  in  attemping  to  fire,  the  blood 
gushed  from  his  mouth  and  wet  his  priming  ; perceiving  this, 
he  crawled  into  a bunch  of  briers.  Aspie,  as  he  alighted 
from  his  horse,  received  a bullet  which  broke  his  thigh  ; but 
he  still  fought  heroically.  Johnston  and  Spencer  acquitted 
themselves  with  incomparable  gallantry,  but  were  obliged 
to  give  way,  and  to  leave  Aspie  to  his  fate,  though  he  en- 
treated them  earnestly  not  to  forsake  him.  The  Indians 
killed  and  scalped  Aspie,  but  did  not  find  Lucas,  who  shortly 
afterwards  returned  to  his  friends.  Spencer,  in  the  heat  of 
the  engagement,  was  shot,  but  the  ball  split  on  the  bone  and 
his  life  was  spared.  The  whole  Aspie  family  were  super- 
latively brave.  A brother  had  been  previously  killed  in  the 
battle  at  the  Bluff.  When  he  first  fell,  he  placed  himself  in  a 
position  to  reach  a loaded  gun,  with  which  he  shot  an  Indian 
running  up  to  scalp  him. 

In  this  year  also,  Cornelius  Riddle  was  shot  by  the  Indians, 
near  Buchanan’s  Station.  He  had  killed  two  turkeys,  and 
hanging  them  upon  a bush,  had  gone  off  into  the  woods  to 
hunt  for  more.  The  Indians  hearing  the  report  of  his  gun, 
came  to  the  place,  and  finding  the  turkeys,  lay  in  ambush 
where  they  were,  and  on  Riddle’s  coming  to  take  them  away, 
they  fired  upon  and  killed  him. 

In  the  year  1785,  Moses  Brown  was  killed,  near  the  place 
1785  $ on  Richland  Creek  afterwards  occupied  by  Jesse 
( Wharton,  Esq.,  and  then  known  as  Brown’s  Station. 
Col.  Robertson  and  Col.  Weakly  had  gone,  with  Edmond  Hick- 
man, a Surveyor,  to  survey  entered  lands  on  Piny  River.  The 
Indians  came  upon  them  suddenly,  and  killed  Hickman.  The 
same  year  they  killed  a man  living  with  William  Stuart,  on 
the  plantation  where  Judge  Llaywood  afterwards  lived. 

Notwithstanding  these  daring  acts  of  hostility,  the  number 
of  inhabitants  steadily  increased.  James  Harrison,  William 


CHICKASAW  BOUNDARY. 


463 


Hall  and  W.  Gibson,  settled  this  year  above  Bledsoe’s  Lick, 
' and  Charles  Morgan  established  a station  on  the  west  side 
of  Bledsoe’s  Creek,  five  miles  from  the  Lick.  The  Indians 
killed  Peter  Barnett  and  David  Steele,  below  Clarkesville, 
on  the  waters  of  Blooming  Grove.  They  also  wounded  TVil- 
liam  Crutcher  and  went  off,  leaving  a knife  sticking  in  him ; 
he  recovered. 

On  the  second  day  of  March,  John  Peyton,  a Surveyor, 
Ephraim  Peyton,  Thomas  Pugh  and  John  Frazier,  had  com- 
menced their  survey  upon  a creek,  since  called  Defeated 
Creek,  on  the  north  side  of  Cumberland,  in  what  is.  now 
Smith  county,  and  had  made  a camp.  While  they  were 
sleeping  around  the  camp  about  midnight,  a great  number  of 
Cherokee  Indians  surrounded  and  fired  upon  them.  All  but 
one  of  them  were  wounded,  but  they  ran  through  the  Indian 
line,  made  their  escape  and  got  home,  losing  their  horses, 
compass,  chain,  blankets,  saddles  and  bridles.  The  Indians 
retreated  immediately  to  their  towns,  and  were  not  over- 
taken. 

The  Commissioners  of  the  United  States,  Benjamin  ITaw- 
1786  i k'ns’  Andrew  Pickens,  and  Joseph  Martin,  concluded 
l a treaty  with  the  Chickasaw  Commissioners,  Piomingo, 
head  warrior  and  first  minister,  Mingatushka,  one  of  the 
leading  chiefs,  and  Latopoia,  first  beloved  man  of  that  na- 
tion, at  Hopewell,  January  10th,  i786.  The  boundary  of  the 
lands  allotted  to  the  Chickasaw  nation  to  live  and  hunt  on, 

“Begau  on  the  ridge  that  divides  the  waters  running  into  the  Cum- 
berland from  those  running  into  the  Tennessee,  at  a point  in  a line  to 
be  run  north-east,  which  shall  strike  the  Tennessee  at  the  mouth  of  Duck 
River;  thence  running  westerly  along  the  said  ridge  till  it  shall  strike 
the  Ohio  ; thence  down  the  southern  bank  thereof  to  the  Mississippi ; 
thence  down  the  same  to  the  Choctaw  line  of  Natchez  District;  thence 
along  the  said  line,  or  the  line  of  the  district,  eastwardly  as  far  as  the 
Chickasaws  claimed,  and  lived  and  hunted  on,  the  twenty-ninth  of  No- 
vember, one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-two.  Thence  the  said 
boundary  eastwardly  shall  be  the  lands  allotted  to  the  Choctaws  and 
Cherokees,  to  live  and  hunt  on,  and  the  lands  at  present  in  possession  of 
the  Creeks,  saving  and  reserving  for  the  establishment  of  a trading  post, 
a tract  of  land,  to  be  laid  out  at  the  lower  point  of  the  Muscle  Shoals,  at 
the  mouth  of  Ocochappo.” 

Monette  says,  that  the  Chickasaws,  by  this  Treaty,  ratified 


404 


PURSUIT  MADE  BY  CAPTAIN  MARTIN. 


and  confirmed  that  made  in  1783,  with  Donelson  and  Martin, 
Commissioners  of  North-Carolina.  This  Treaty  encouraged  * 
emigration  to  Cumberland. 

The  settlements  were  now  becoming  stronger  by  annual  ar- 
1787  \ r‘ va-ls  emigrants,  but  had  not  expanded  much,  except, 
t in  the  direction  towards  Red  River.  There  the  new 
settlers  underwent  the  usual  initiation  from  Indian  outrage 
and  aggression.  Hendrick’s  Station,  on  Station-Camp  Creek, 
was  assaulted  in  the  night;  the  house,  in  which  were  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Price  and  their  children,  was  broken  into,  the  parents 
were  killed  and  their  children  badly  wounded.  A boy  named 
Baird,  wras  killed  in  the  day  time,  and  several  horses  were 
stolen.  Near  the  Locust-land,  where  General  Hall  now  lives, 
above  Bledsoe’s  Lick,  the  Indians  killed  William  Hall  and 
his  son  Richard,  and  another  man.  In  May,  the  Indians  came 
to  Richland  Creek,  and  in  daylight  killed  Mark  Robertson, 
near  the  place  where  Robertson’s  Mill  was  since  erected.  He 
was  a brother  of  Col.  Robertson,  and  was  returning  from  his 
house. 

During  the  summer,  the  Indians  came  to  Drake’s  Creek, 
where  William  Montgomery  lived,  shot  down  and  scalped 
his  son,  and  wounded  John  Allen.  In  the  same  neighbour- 
hood they  killed  Mr.  Morgan,  Sen.,  and  were  pursued  by  a 
party  of  white  men  under  the  command  of  George  Winches- 
ter, who  followed  on  their  trail.  Another  party,  commanded 
by  Captain  William  Martin,  also  followed  them  by  a nearer 
route,  and  not  having  found  their  trail,  encamped  near  it. 
The  other  party,  on  the  same  night,  came  on  the  trail,  and 
seeing  the  camp  of  Martin,  fired  into  it  and  killed  William 
Ridley,  the  son  of  George  Ridley,  late  of  Davidson  county. 

Considerable  delay  occurred  before  Evans’s  battalion  could 
be  recruited,  equipped,  provided  with  supplies,  and  sent  for- 
ward to  Cumberland,  as  provided  for  by  the  Assembly  of 
North-Carolina.  Impatient  of  this  delay,  Colonel  Bledsoe 
asks  permission  of  Governor  Caswell  to  carry  an  expedition 
against  the  Chickamaugas.  His  letter  is  dated  from  Ken- 
tucky, whither  he  and  Colonel  Robertson  had  gone,  to  pro- 
cure additional  forces,  with  which  to  chastise  the  enemy. 


COLS.  BLEDSOE  AND  ROBERTSON  TO  GOVERNOR  CASWELL.  465 


Kentucky,  June  1st,  1787. 

Bear  Sir: — At  this  place  I received  accounts  from  Cumberland,  that 
since  I last  did  myself  the  pleasure  of  addressing  you,  three  persons 
have  been  killed  at  that  place,  within  about  seven  miles  of  Nashville; 
and  there  is  scarcely  a day,  that  the  Indians  do  not  steal  horses  in  either 
Sumner  or  Davidson  counties  ; and  I am  informed,  the  people  are  exceed- 
ingly dispirited,  having  had  accounts  that  several  northern  tribes,  in 
conjunction  with  the  Creek  nation,  have  determined  the  destruction  of 
that  defenceless  country,  this  summer ; and  their  hopes  seem  blasted,  as 
to  Major  Evans’s  assistance.  Colonel  Robertson  has  lately  been  to  this 
country  to  get  some  assistance  to  carry  on  a campaign  against  the 
Chickamauga  towns,  and  got  some  assurance  from  the  several  officers. 
The  time  appointed  for  the  rendezvous,  was  fixed  to  the  15th  instant, 
but,  finding  the  men  cannot  be  drawn  out  at  that  season  of  the  year,  I 
have  thought  it  my  duty  to  ask  your  advice  in  the  matter : whether,  or 
not,  we  shall  have  leave  of  government  to  carry  on  such  a campaign,  if 
we  can  make  ourselves  able,  with  the  assistance  of  our  friends,  the  Vir- 
gianians,  as  they  promised  us,  immediately  after  harvest. 

Soon  after  the  date  of  Colonel  Bledsoe’s  letter,  that  officer 
and  Colonel  Robertson  addressed  Governor  Caswell,  jointly, 
under  date : 

Cumberland,  June  12th,  1787. 

Bear  Sir: — Nothing  but  the  distress  of  a bleeding  country  could  in- 
duce us  to  trouble  you  on  so  disagreeable  a subject.  We  enclose  you  a 
list  of  the  killed  in  this  quarter,  since  our  departure  from  this  country  to 
the  Assembly ; this,  with  the  numbers  wounded,  the  vast  numbers  of 
horses  stolen  from  the  inhabitants,  has,  in  a degree,  flagged  the  spirits 
of  the  people.  A report  is  now  here,  and  has  prevailed  throughout  this 
country,  and  we  are  induced  to  believe  it  is  true,  that  the  Spaniards  are 
doing  all  they  can  to  encourage  the  several  savage  tribes  to  war  against 
the  Americans.  It  is  certain,  the  Chickasaws  inform  us,  that  Spanish 
traders  offer  a reward  for  scalps  of  the  Americans.  A disorderly  set  of 
French  and  Spanish  traders  are  continually  on  the  Tennessee,  that,  we 
actually  fear,  are  a great  means  of  encouraging  the  Indians  to  do  us 
much  mischief.  We  should  wish  to  take  some  measures  to  remove 
these  disorderly  traders  from  the  Tennessee,  and  wish  your  Excellency’s 
advice  in  the  matter. 

At  length,  the  Indian  atrocities  becoming  so  bold  and  fre- 
quent, it  appeared  necessary,  for  the  protection  and  defence 
of  the  settlements,  that  offensive  operations  should  be  carried 
on  against  the  Indians  in  their  own  towns.  One  hundred 
and  thirty  men,  from  the  different  settlements  on  Cumber- 
land, volunteered  for  that  purpose,  and  assembled  at  the 
house  of  Colonel  Robertson.  Of  this  force  he  took  the  com- 
mand, assisted  by  Colonel  Robert  Hays  and  Colonel  James 
30 


466 


Robertson’s  march  to  Tennessee  river, 


Ford,  and  marched  for  the  Indian  village,  Coldwater,  with 
two  Chickasaws  as  pilots.  They  crossed  at  the  mouth  of 
South  Harper  ; thence  they  went  a direct  course  to  the 
mouth  of  Turnbull’s  Creek,  and  up  that  stream  to  its  head; 
thence  to  Lick  Creek,  of  Duck  River;  thence  down  that 
creek  seven  or  eight  miles,  leaving  the  creek  to  the  right 
hand  ; thence  to  an  old  and  very  large  Lick;  thence  to  Duck 
River,  where  the  old  Chickasaw  trace  crossed  it ; thence, 
leaving  the  trace  to  the  right  hand,  they  went  to  the  head  of 
Swan  Creek;  thence  to  a creek  then  called  Blue  Water, 
running  into  the  Tennessee  River,  about  a mile  and  a half 
above  the  lower  end  of  the  Muscle  Shoals.  When  within 
ten  miles  of  these  rapids,  they  heard  the  roaring  of  the  falls. 
One  of  the  Indian  guides,  with  several  of  the  most  active 
soldiers,  was  ordered  to  go  to  the  river.  These,  about  mid- 
night, returned,  saying  the  river  was  too  distant  for  them  to 
reach  that  night  and  return  to  camp.  In  the  morning,  they 
pursued  the  same  course  they  had  done  the  day  before.  At 
12  o’clock,  they  struck  the  river  at  the  lower  end  of  the  Mus- 
cle Shoals,  where  it  is  said  the  road  now  crosses,  and  con- 
cealed themselves  in  the  woods  till  night.  On  the  north 
side  of  the  river  they  discovered,  on  a bluff,  a plain  path 
leading  along  the  river,  which  seemed  to  be  much  travelled; 
and  on  the  south  side,  opposite  to  them,  were  seen  several 
Indian  cabins  or  lodges.  Several  of  the  soldiers  went  down 
secretly,  took  their  station  under  the  bank,  and  concealed 
themselves  under  the  cane,  to  observe  what  could  be  seen  on 
the  other  side.  They  had  not  long  remained  in  their  place 
of  concealment,  when  they  saw  some  Indians  reconnoitering 
and  evidently  looking  out  for  the  troops  of  Col.  Robertson. 
In  doing  this,  they  passed  into  an  island  near  the  south  bank 
of  the  river,  where  they  entered  a canoe,  and  came  half  way 
over  the  stream.  Not  being  able  to  see  any  of  the  inva- 
ders, the  Indians  returned  to  the  island  where  they  had 
started  from,  and  fastened  the  canoe.  When  they  left  the 
river,  Captain  Rains  was  sent  with  fifteen  men  up  the  path, 
along  the  north  bank,  with  orders  from  Col.  Robertson  to  cap- 
ture an  Indian,  if  possible,  alive.  He  executed  the  order,  but 
did  not  see  an  Indian.  He  went  nearly  to  the  mouth  of 


AND  ATTACK  ON  COLDWATER. 


467 


Bluewater  Creek,  when  about  sunset  he  was  recalled,  having 
made  no  discoveries.  It  was  determined  to  cross  the  river 
that  night,  and  the  soldiers,  who  had  watched  the  move- 
ments of  the  Indians,  swam  over  the  river  and  went  up  to  the 
cabins,  but  they  found  not  a single  living  being  in  the  village. 
They  then  untied  the  canoe  and  returned  in  it  to  the  north 
bank.  It  was  found  to  be  a very  large  one,  but  old  and 
having  a hole  in  its  bottom.  This  the  men  contrived  to  stop 
with  their  shirts.  Into  this  frail  and  leaky  barque,  forty  men, 
with  their  fire-arms,  entered.  They  started  from  the  shore, 
and  the  canoe  sprang  aleak  and  began  to  sink.  Jumping 
into  the  water,  the  men  swam  back  with  the  canoe  to  the 
northern  bank.  In  these  operations,  some  noise  was  neces- 
sarily made,  and  considerable  time  consumed,  and  the  em- 
barkation of  the  troops  was  delayed  till  daylight.  With  a 
piece  of  linn  bark,  the  hole  in  the  canoe  was  at  length  cov- 
ered, and  forty  or  fifty  men  crossed  over  in  it,  and  took  pos- 
session of  the  bank  on  the  south  side.  The  remainder  of  the 
troops  swam  over  with  the  horses.  Having  all  crossed  the 
river  in  safety,  attention  was  paid  to  drying  their  clothes  and 
equipments.  A rain  came  on  and  forced  the  men  into  the 
cabins.  After  the  clouds  cleared  away,  the  troops  mounted, 
and  seeing  a well  beaten  path,  leading  from  the  river  out 
into  the  barrens,  in  a western  direction,  they  dashed  into  it 
and  followed  it  briskly.  At  the  distance  of  five  or  six  miles 
they  came  to  corn  fields,  and  a mile  or  two  further  they  came 
to  Coldwater  Creek.  This  most  of  the  troops  crossed  by  a 
path  so  narrow  that  a single  horse  could  only  pass  it  up  the 
bank.  On  the  other  side  of  the  creek  was  a number  of 
cabins,  built  upon  the  low  grounds,  which  extended  to  the 
river  about  three  hundred  yards  below.  The  people  of  the 
town  were  surprised  by  its  sudden  and  unexpected  invasion, 
and  fled  precipitately  to  their  boats  at  the  river,  and  were 
closely  pursued  by  such  of  the  men  as  had  crossed  the 
creek.  Captain  Rains  had  remained  on  its  other  side,  with 
Benjamin  Castleman,  William  Loggins,  William  Steele  and 
Martin  Duncan,  and  seeing  the  retreat  and  flight  of  the 
enemy,  went  down  the  east  side  of  the  creek  to  intercept 
them.  The  retreating  Indians,  as  they  ran  down  on  the 


4G8 


INDIANS  AND  FRENCH  TRADERS  ROUTED. 


other  side,  and  had  their  attention  drawn  to  those  who  pur- 
sued them  on  the  same  side  of  the  creek,  crossed  over  and 
came  to  the  spot  where  Captain  Rains  and  his  men  were, 
and  were  fired  upon,  while  looking  back  at  their  pursuers, 
and  not  perceiving  the  snare  into  which  they  had  fallen. 
Three  of  them  dropped  down  dead.  Three  French  traders 
and  a white  woman,  who  had  got  into  a boat  and  would  not 
surrender,  but  mixed  with  the  Indians  and  seemed  determined 
to  partake  of  their  fate,  whatever  it  might  be,  were  killed  by 
the  troops.  They  wounded  and  took  prisoner  the  principal  tra- 
der and  owner  of  the  goods,  and  five  or  six  other  Frenchmen, 
who  lived  there  as  traders.  These  had  in  the  town,  stores  of 
taffia,  sugar,  coffee,  cloths,  blankets,  Indian  wares  of  all 
sorts,  salt,  shot,  Indian  paints,  knives,  powder,  tomahawks, 
tobacco  and  other  articles,  suitable  for  Indian  commerce. 
The  troops  killed  many  of  the  Indians  after  they  had  got 
into  the  boats,  and  gave  them  so  hot  and  deadly  a fire  from 
the  bank  of  the  river,  that  they  were  forced  to  jump  into  the 
water,  and  were  shot  whilst  in  it,  until,  as  the  Chickasaws 
afterwards  informed  them,  twenty-six  of  the  Creek  warriors 
were  killed  in  the  river.  The  troops  immediately  afterwards 
collected  all  the  boats  that  were  upon  the  river,  and  brought 
them  up  the  creek,  opposite  to  the  town,  and  placed  a guard 
over  them.  Each  of  the  Indian  guides  was,  next  morning, 
presented  with  a horse,  a gun,  and  as  many  blankets  and 
clothes  as  the  horses  could  carry,  as  their  portion  of  the 
spoils,  and  despatched  to  their  homes.  The  name  of  one  of 
them  was  Toka,  a chief. 

After  the  departure  of  the  Chickasaw  guides,  the  troops 
buried  the  white  men  and  the  woman  killed  in  the  engage- 
ment of  the  day  before,  set  fire  to  and  burned  up  the  town, 
and  destroyed  the  domestic  animals  that  were  found  in  and 
around  it.  The  goods  of  the  traders  had  been  removed  from 
the  stores,  and  with  the  prisoners,  were  now  put  into  three  or 
four  boats,  under  the  charge  of  Jonathan  Denton,  Benjamin 
Drake,  and  John  and  Moses  Eskridge,  to  navigate  them. 
They  were  directed  to  descend  the  Tennessee  to  some  con- 
venient point  on  its  southern  shore,  where  they  were  to  meet 
the  mounted  troops,  and  assist  them  in  crossing.  At  the  time 


ARMY  RECROSSED  AT  COLBERT  S. 


469 


the  boats  started  down  the  river,  the  horsemen  began  their 
march  by  land,  bat  being  without  pilots,  and  entirely  unac- 
quainted with  the  windings  of  the  stream,  they  took  a course 
that  led  them  further  from  it  than  they  intended,  into  the 
piny  woods,  where  they  encamped.  The  next  day  they 
went  to  the  river,  where  they  saw  several  persons  at  a dis- 
tance on  the  islands,  who  proved  to  be  their  own  boatmen. 
Neither  knew  the  other  till  some  of  the  boatmen,  nearing 
the  shore,  made  the  agreeable  discovery,  that  the  horsemen 
on  the  land  were  their  friends.  The  troops  then  moved  down 
the  river  a few  miles,  and  came  to  a place  just  above  the 
point  of  an  island,  where  the  descent  to  the  river  was  easy 
and  convenient  for  embarkation,  and  where  the  bank  on  the 
opposite  side  afforded  a safe  landing.  Here,  with  the  as- 
sistance of  the  boats,  they  crossed  over.  The  whole  com- 
mand encamped  together  on  the  north  shore,  and  found  they 
had  not  lost  a single  man,  and  that  not  one  was  wounded. 
The  place  at  which  the  crossing  was  made,  is  near  what  has 
since  been  known  as  Colbert’s  Ferry. 

The  horsemen,  after  leaving  camp  on  the  Tennessee,  march- 
ed nearly  a north  course,  till  they  struck  the  path  leading  to 
the  Chickasaw  Old  Crossing,  on  Duck  River,  where  they  had 
crossed  going  out,  and  pursuing  their  own  trace,  returned 
unmolested  to  the  Bluff. 

At  the  encampment  on  the  Tennessee,  the  French  prisoners 
were  allowed  to  take  all  their  trunks  and  wearing  apparel, 
and  an  equal  division  was  made  of  the  sugar  and  coffee 
amongst  the  troops  and  prisoners.  To  the  latter  was  also 
given  a canoe,  in  which,  after  bidding  farewell,  they  ascend- 
ed the  river. 

The  dry  goods  were  ordered,  under  the  care  of  the  same 
boatmen,  to  Nashville.  Sailing  down  the  river  some  days, 
they  met  other  French  boats  laden  with  goods,  and  having 
on  board  French  traders,  who,  being  greatly  rejoiced  at  see- 
ing their  countrymen,  as  they  supposed  the  Cumberland 
boatmen  to  be,  returning  home,  saluted  them  by  firing  their 
guns.  The  latter,  descen  ling  the  river  with  their  guns 
charged,  came  alongside  of  the  French  boats,  boarded  them 
and  captured  the  boats  and  crews,  and  conducted  them  to  a 


470 


CAPTURE  OF  THE  FRENCH  TRADERS. 


place  a few  miles  below  Nashville.  There  the  captors  gave 
the  Frenchmen  a canoe,  and  dismissed  them  with  permission 
to  go  down  the  river,  which  they  did. 

The  spoils  taken  at  Coldwater,  were  brought  to  Eaton’s 
Station  and  sold,  and  the  proceeds  divided  amongst  the 
troops.  They  returned  to  Col.  Robertson’s  on  the  nineteenth 
day  after  the  commencement  of  the  expedition  at  his  house. 
From  this  place,  Col.  Robertson  wrote  Gov.  Caswell  under 
date — 

“Nashville,  July  2d,  1787. 

Sir : — I had  tko  pleasure  of  receiving  your  Excellency’s  letter  to 
Col.  Bledsoe  and  myself,  in  which  you  were  so  obliging  as  to  mention 
you  would  render  every  aid  in  your  power  to  our  country.  Never  was 
there  a time  in  which  your  Excellency’s  assistance  and  attention  were 
more  necessary  than  the  present.  The  war  being  exceedingly  hot  in 
the  spring,  I marched  some  men  near  the  Chickamaugas ; but  wishing 
to  avoid  an  open  war,  returned  without  doing  them  any  mischief,  leav- 
ing a letter  containing  every  offer  of  peace  that  could  be  made  on  hon- 
ourable terms;  in  consequence  of  which,  they  sent  a flag  to  treat,  though 
I have  every  reason  to  doubt  their  sincerity,  as  several  persons  were 
killed  during  their  stay,  and  one  man  at  my  house,  in  their  sight.  They 
impute  the  mischief  we  suffer  to  the  Creeks.  A few  days  after  their 
departure,  my  brother,  Mark  Robertson,  being  killed  near  my  house,  I,  by 
the  advice  of  the  officers,  civil  and  military,  raised  about  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  men,  and  followed  their  tracks,  near  the  lower  end  of 
the  Muscle  Shoals,  where  some  Indians  discovered  us,  fired  on  our  back 
picket,  and  alarmed  a small  town  of  Cherokees.  We  found,  where  we 
crossed  Tennessee,  pictures  of  two  scalps,  made  a few  days  before ; 
which  scalps,  we  were  afterwards  informed,  were  carried  into  said  town 
by  seven  Cherokees,  who  were  there  when  we  attacked  them.  Though 
they  constantly  kept  out  spies,  we  had  the  good  fortune  to  cross  Ten- 
nessee, and  go  eighteen  miles  down  the  river,  till  in  sight  of  the  town, 
before  the  Indians  discovered  us.  We  made  a rapid  charge  and  entirely 
defeated  them.  The  attack  began  at  the  mouth  of  a large  creek  ; we 
forced  them  into  the  creek  and  river,  and  what  escaped,  either  got  off 
in  boats  or  swam  the  river.  About  twenty  were  killed,  and  several 
wounded.  The  whole  town,  as  we  were  afterwards  informed  by  a 
Frenchman,  whom  we  found  there,  had  been  councilling  three  days,  at 
the  instigation  of  a principal  Creek  chief,  and  had  unanimously  agreed 
to  fight  us,  if  we  crossed  Tennessee.  From  what  passed  at  this  con- 
sultation, I have  every  reason  to  believe  the  Creeks  totally  averse  to 
peace,  notwithstanding  they  have  had  no  cause  of  offence.  We  have 
been  exceedingly  particular  in  giving  them  no  reason  to  complain.  Jj 
Their  force  consisted  of  ten  Creeks  and  thirty-five  Cherokee  warriors, 
together  with  nine  Frenchmen,  chiefly  from  Detroit,  who  had  joined 
the  Indians  against  us.  Among  the  dead  was  the  Creek  chief  before 
mentioned,  a mischievous  Cherokee  chief,  three  Frenchmen  and  a 


colonel  eobeetson’s  official  report. 


471 


Frenchwoman,  who  was  hilled  by  accident,  in  one  of  the  boats.  In 
this  action  we  lost  not  a single  man  ; bat  a party  of  fifty  men,  who 
was  sent  to  the  mouth  of  Duck  River,  was  there  attacked  by  a largo 
number  of  Indians,  and  we  had  one  man  killed  and  eight  wounded. 
We  were  piloted  by  two  Chickasaws,  in  this  expedition  ; their  nation 
seem,  on  every  occasion,  our  friends,  and  if  it  were  possible  to  supply 
them  with  trade,  at  the  Chickasaw  Bluff,  there  is  no  doubt  but  they 
and  the  Choctaws  would  find  full  employment  for  our  enemies. 

From  the  constant  incursions  of  the  Indians,  I have  been  obliged  to 
keep  the  militia  very  much  in  service  on  scouts,  guards,  &c.,  and  have 
been  under  the  necessity  of  promising  them  pay,  without  which,  I am 
persuaded,  the  army  would  have  totally  broken  up,  as  many  have  already 
done.  I hope  you  will  approve  the  promise  I have  made  to  the  inhabi- 
tants. Sumner  county  seems  to  he  in  peace,  compared  with  this, 
being  more  out  of  the  range  of  the  Indians.  I have  not  an  opportunity 
of  seeing  Col.  Bledsoe,  or  I make  no  doubt  he  would  join  me  in 
informing  your  Excellency  that  our  situation,  at  present,  is  deplorable — 
deprived  of  raising  subsistence,  and  constantly  harassed  with  perform- 
ing military  duty,  our  only  hope  is  in  the  troops  promised  us  by  the 
General  Assembly  ; but,  as  yet,  we  have  no  news  of  them.  I earnestly 
beg  your  Excellency  to  forward  them  with  all  possible  expedition.  I 
hope  that  your  Excellency  will,  by  express  or  otherwise,  favour  me  with 
an  answer. 

This  spirited  invasion  of  the  heart  of  the  Indian  country, 
and  the  success  that  had  attended  the  assault  against  Cold- 
water,  were  followed  by  a short  respite  from  savage  aggres- 
sion. Heretofore,  there  had  not  been  an  hour  of  safety  to 
any  settler  on  the  waters  of  Cumberland,  and  offensive  mea- 
sures were  adopted  and  energetically  executed.  The  ven- 
geance so  long  delayed,  had,  at  length,  fallen  with  most  fatal 
effect  upon  those  who  had  so  frequently  provoked  it.  At 
Coldwater,  Colonel  Robertson  discovered  the  sources  from 
which  the  Indians  were  supplied  with  the  materials  which 
enabled  them  to  make  inroads  upon  the  new  settlements  ; 
the  means  by  which,  and  the  channels  through  which,  they 
received  them  ; and  the  practicable  modes  of  cutting  them 
off,  as  well  as  the  facility  of  seizing  upon  the  stores,  when 
deposited  in  villages  near  the  place  of  disembarkation.  The 
advantages  acquired  by  his  expedition  were  various  and  im- 
portant, and  by  putting  the  Indians  in  danger  at  home,  and 
making  it  necessary  for  them  to  act  on  the  defensive,  near 
their  own  villages,  had  greatly  diminished  the  vigour  of 
their  enterprises  against  the  feeble  settlements. 


472 


DISASTER  TO  THE  BOATMEN  OF  CAPTAIN  HAY. 


These  advantages,  however,  were  somewhat  counteracted 
by  the  unfortunate  issue  of  another  expedition,  connected,  in 
part,  with  that  so  gallantly  carried  on  by  Colonel  Robertson, 
and  undertaken  about  the  same  time,  with  the  view  of  se- 
curing its  success. 

When  the  troops  started  on  the  campaign  to  Coldwater,  !! 
David  Hay,  of  Nashville,  had  the  command  of  a company 
there,  and  determined  to  carry  them,  simultaneously,  against 
the  enemy,  by  water  ; not  only  to  assist  their  countrymen  in 
the  assault  upon  the  Indian  villages,  but  to  carry  to  them 
provisions  and  supplies,  which,  it  was  apprehended,  they 
might  need  on  their  arrival  at  the  Tennessee  River,  and,  par- 
ticularly, in  case  of  the  detention  of  the  horsemen  in  that 
neighbourhood,  for  a longer  time  than  was  anticipated. 
Captain  Hay  and  his  men  descended  the  river  in  three  boats, 
and  passing  around  into  the  Tennessee,  had  proceeded  unmo- 
lested up  that  stream  to  the  mouth  of  Duck  River.  When 
they  had  reached  that  stream,  the  boat  commanded  by  Moses 
Shelby,  entered  into  it  a small  distance,  for  the  purpose  of 
examining  a canoe,  which  he  observed  there,  fastened 
to  the  bank.  A party  of  Indians  had  concealed  themselves 
in  the  cane  and  behind  the  trees,  not  more  than  ten  or 
twelve  feet  from  the  canoe,  and  from  the  boat  itself,  and 
poured  in  a most  unexpected  fire  into  the  boat.  John  Top 
and  Hugh  Roquering  were  shot  through  the  body  ; Edward 
Hogan,  through  the  arm,  the  ball  fracturing  the  bone  ; Jo- 
siah  Renfroe  was  shot  through  the  head,  and  killed  on  the 
spot.  The  survivors  made  great  haste  to  get  the  boat  off, 
but,  having  the  prow  up  the  small  river,  and  several  of  the 
crew  being  wholly  disabled,  and  some  of  them  greatly  dis- 
mayed by  the  sudden  fire  and  destruction  which  had  come 
upon  them,  acted  in  disorder,  and  with  great  difficulty  got  the 
boat  again  into  the  Tennessee,  beyond  the  reach  of  the  Indian 
guns,  before  they  could  reload  and  fire  a second  time.  Had 
this  movement  been  executed  with  less  alacrity  and  despatch, 
the  rash  and  unadvised  act  of  going  to  the  canoe,  would 
have  caused  the  whole  crew  to  become  victims  to  the  strata- 
gem of  the  Indians.  As  it  was,  their  artful  plot  had  too  well 
succeeded,  and  the  expedition,  which  promised  so  much,  and 


Robertson’s  explanation. 


473 


thus  far  had  been  prosecuted  without  interruption,  was 
abandoned.  Captain  Hay  returned,  with  his  wounded  men, 
to  Nashville,  where,  alone,  surgical  and  medical  assistance 
could  be  procured. 

The  affair  at  Coldwater,  and  the  capture  of  the  French 
traders  and  their  goods  on  the  Tennessee,  had  involved  Col. 
Robertson  in  a difficulty  with  a nation  then  at  peace  '‘with 
the  United  States.  That  officer  deemed  it  necessary,  there- 
fore, to  make  a written  exposition  of  the  causes  and  motives 
which  led  to  the  campaign  which  he  had  conducted,  and  in 
which  citizens  of  France  had  been  made  to  suffer.  This 
communication  he  addressed  to  a functionary  at  the  Illinois. 
He  stated  in  it, 

“That  for  some  years  past  a trade  had  been  carried  on  by  Frenchmen 
from  the  Wabash,  with  the  Indians  on  Tennessee.  The  trade  had  been 
formerly  managed  by  a Mr.  Veiz,  and  while  he  carried  it  on  the  In- 
dians were  peaceable  towards  us  ; but  for  two  or  three  years  past,  these 
Indians  had  been  extremely  inimical,  at  all  seasons  killing  our  men,  wo- 
men and  children,  and  stealing  our  horses.  He  had  sufficient  evidence 
of  the  fact  also,  that  these  Indians  were  excited  to  war  against  us  by 
the  suggestions  of  these  traders,  who  both  advised  them  to  war,  and 
gave  them  goods  for  carrying  it  on.  The  Chickasaws  had  told  him 
that  they  had  been  offered  goods  by  those  traders  if  they  would  go  to 
war  against  us.  And  one  John  Rogers  declared,  that  he  had  seen  a 
Creek  fellow  have  on  a pair  of  arm-bands,  which  he  said  were  given  to 
him  by  the  French  traders,  for  going  to  war  against  our  people.  Their 
incursions  upon  us  this  spring  have  been  more  severe  than  usual,  and  I 
determined  to  distress  them.  For  this  purpose,  he  stated  that  he  had 
taken  a part  of  the  militia  of  Davidson  county,  followed  the  tracks  of 
one  of  their  scalping  parties,  who  had  just  been  doing  murder  here, 
and  pursuing  them  to  a town  on  Tennessee,  at  the  mouth  of  Coldwater, 
had  destroyed  the  town,  and  killed,  as  he  supposed,  about  twenty  of  the 
Indians.  The  scalps  of  two  of  our  people  whom  they  had  lately  mur- 
dered, were  found  in  the  town.  Some  of  the  French  imprudently  put 
themselves  in  the  action,  and  some  of  them  fell.  From  that  place  he 
sent  a party  around  to  the  River  Cumberland  by  water.  On  the  Ten- 
nessee they  found  five  Frenchmen,  with  two  boats,  having  on  board 
goods  to  trade  with  those  very  Indians.  The  commander  of  the  party 
captured  the  boats  with  the  traders,  and  brought  them  round  to  the 
Cumberland,  and  gave  them  their  choice,  either  to  come  up  to  the  set- 
tlement and  stand  their  trial  for  what  they  had  done,  thereby  to  try 
and  regain  their  goods,  or  else  they  might  go  home  at  once  without 
their  goods ; they  chose  the  latter.  The  taking  of  these  boats,  said  Col. 
Robertson,  was  without  my  knowledge  or  approbation.  I am  now  en- 
deavouring to  collect  the  property  which  was  in  them,  and  I desire  the 


474 


ANOTHER  CAMPAIGN  BY  CAPTAIN  SHANNON. 


owners  to  be  notified,  that  if  they  could  make  it  appear  that  they  wera 
not  guilty  of  a breach  of  the  laws,  and  did  not  intend  to  furnish  our 
enemies  with  powder,  lead  and  other  goods,  for  our  destruction,  on  ap- 
plying here  at  Nashville,  they  can  have  their  property  again.  He  de-  ! 
dared  that  if  those  Indians  would  be  peaceable,  we  should  never  attempt 
to  deprive  them  of  any  trade  the'y  could  procure.  But  whilst  they  con- 
tinue at  war,  said  he,  any  traders  who  furnish  them  with  arms  and  am- 
munition,  will  render  themselves  very  insecure.” 

The  fearless  irruption  of  the  troops  under  Robertson,  was 
followed  by  a temporary  relaxation  of  Indian  hostility.  But 
soon  after  their  route  and  discomfiture  at  Coldwater,  they 
collected  in  small  bodies,  crossed  the  Tennessee,  and  com- 
menced an  undistinguishing  carnage  upon  the  settlers,  of  all 
ages  and  sexes.  One  of  these  was  pursued  by  a small  body 
of  white  men  under  Captain  Shannon.  The  Indians  had 
reached  the  bank  of  Tennessee  River  ; some  were  in  their 
camp,  eating,  others  making  preparations  to  cross  to  the  op- 
posite shore.  The  former  were  discovered  by  Shannon’s 
men,  who  fired  and  rushed  impetuously  upon  them.  Castle- 
man  killed  one.  Another,  proving  too  strong,  took  Luke  An- 
derson’s gun  from  him,  but  before  he  could  discharge  her, 
William  Pillow,  since  a colonel,  of  Maury  county,  and  the 
uncle  of  Gen.  Gideon  J.  Pillow,  of  the  United  States  Army, 
shot  the  Indian  and  recovered  the  gun.  The  remaining  In- 
dians, who  were  without  the  camp,  were  commanded  by  Big 
Foot,  a leading  warrior  of  determined  bravery.  Believing, 
from  the  report  of  the  guns. which  had  been  fired,  that  the 
number  of  the  assailants  was  inconsiderable,  these  resolved 
to  attack  the  whites,  and  did  so.  A terrible  conflict  ensued. 
Victory,  for  some  time  wavering,  at  length  declared  against 
the  Indians.  Their  leader  and  five  of  his  followers  were 
killed,  the  rest  raised  the  yell  and  disappeared  in  the  bushes. 

Late  in  July,  of  this  year,  two  hundred  Creek  warriors,  cm- 
( bodied  for  the  purpose,  as  they  said,  of  taking  satisfac- 
l tion  for  three  Indians  killed  in  an  affair  eighteen  miles 
below  Chota.  Mr.  Perrault  met  and  delivered,  and  expounded 
to  them  a letter,  written  by  Col.  Robertson,  and  addressed 
to  their  nation.  Perrault  endeavoured  to  dissuade  them 
from  hostilities  and  to  get  them  to  turn  back,  but  his  mission 
was  fruitless.  They  persevered  in  their  march,  adding  to  their 


CAPTAIN  JOHN  RAINS. 


475 


rejection  of  the  overtures  for  peace,  a threat,  that  if  their 
territory  should  be  again  invaded,  or  another  Creek  should 
be  killed  after  their  present  incursion,  the  whites  might  ex- 
pect a merciless  war. 

Of  the  battalion  ordered  to  be  raised  for  the  protection  of 
Davidson  county,  Major  Evans  was  appointed  to  take  the 
command.  These  troops  arrived  on  Cumberland  in  succes- 
sive detachments,  accompanying  parties  of  emigrants,  that 
were  constantly  augmenting  the  resources  and  defences  of 
the  country.  Col.  Robertson,  to  add  further  to  the  efficiency 
of  Evans’s  battalion,  was  enabled,  from  the  increased  strength 
of  the  population,  to  select  and  detach  a certain  portion  of 
it  to  act  as  patrols  or  spies.  It  was  their  business  to  go 
through  the  woods  from  the  borders  of  the  settlements — in 
every  direction,  and  to  every  place  where  there  was  an  In- 
dian or  a buffalo  trace — to  the  crossing  places  on  rivers  and 
creeks,  to  look  after  the  Indians,  and  to  notice  the  trails  they 
had  made  in  their  marches.  At  that  time  canes  and  weeds 
grew  up  so  luxuriantly,  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  that  two 
or  three  men,  even  without  horses,  could  not  pass  through 
without  leaving  a discernible  trace,  which  might  be  fol- 
lowed with  no  risk  of  mistake.  Amongst  the  patrols  selected 
for  the  performance  of  this  service,  wras  Captain  John  Rains. 
Col.  Robertson  was  led  to  this  choice  by  the  experience  he 
had  had  in  his  prowess  and  diligence.  His  orders  to  him 
had  always  been  executed  punctually,  promptly,  and  with  a 
degree  of  bravery  that  was  never  exceeded.  An  occasion 
soon  offered  for  the  exercise  of  these  eminent  qualities. 
The  Indians  killed  Randal  Gentry,  not  far  from  the  Bluff,  at 
the  place  wffiere  Mr.  Foster  since  lived.  About  the  same 
time,  Curtis  Williams  and  Thomas  Fletcher,  with  his  son, 
were  also  killed  near  the  mouth  of  Harper.  Captain  Rains 
was  ordered  to  pursue  the  perpetrators  of  this  mischief.  He 
soon  raised  sixty  men  and  followed  them.  Their  trace  was 
found  and  pursuit  made  ; he  passed  Mill  Creek,  Big  Harper, 
the  Fishing  Ford  of  Duck  River,  Elk  River,  at  the  mouth  of 
Swan  Creek,  and  Flint  River.  Not  being  able  to  overtake 
the  enemy,  he  left  their  trace  and  went  w'estwardlv,  and 
struck  McCutchin’s  trace.  Before  he  reached  Elk  River,  he 


476 


KAINS  DISCOVERS  INDIAN  CAMP. 


discovered  tracks  of  Indians  going  in  the  direction  of  Nash- 
ville. At  the  crossing  of  the  river,  he  came  to  the  camp 
which  they  had  left  the  morning  before.  He  went  forward 
six  miles  and  halted,  sending  forward  a few  of  his  men  to  see 
that  the  enemy  was  not  so  near  as  to  hear  his  men  forming 
their  encampment.  These  returned  without  having  seen 
any  of  the  Indians.  Next  morning  Captain  Rains  continued 
the  pursuit,  and  in  the  afternoon  found  the  place  they  had 
encamped  the  preceding  night.  The  ground  had  been  cleared 
of  leaves  and  brush,  and  upon  this  the  war  dance  had  been 
celebrated.  There  were,  moreover,  evidences  of  a,  wary  and 
deliberate  invasion  for  hostile  purposes,  and  of  very  cau- 
tious and  watchful  progress.  The  troops,  after  crossing  Duck 
River,  at  the  mouth  of  Globe  and  Fountain  Creek,  encamped 
at  night  on  its  north  side.  Renewing  their  march  next  morn- 
ing, they  came,  at  the  distance  of  six  miles  on  the  waters 
of  Rutherford’s  Creek,  near  where  Solomon  Herring  has  since 
lived,  upon  the  camp  of  the  Indians.  It  was  fired  upon,  when 
the  Indians  immediately  fled,  leaving  one  of  their  number 
dead.  Captain  Rains,  with  his  company,  then  returned  to 
Nashville. 

The  same  vigilant  officer  soon  after  received  the  orders  of 
Colonel  Robertson  to  raise  another  company,  and  scour  the 
woods  southwardly  from  Nashville,  and  destroy  any  Indians 
that  might  be  found,  east  of  the  line  dividing  the  Cherokee 
and  Chickasaw  nations.  Sixty  men  constituted  the  com- 
mand. They  took  the  Chickasaw  trace,  crossing  Duck 
River  and  Swan  Creek,  pursuing  the  Chickasaw  path,  which 
was  recognized  as  the  boundary.  They  then  left  the  path, 
going  south  and  east  up  the  Tennessee  River.  After  two 
days,  they  came  upon  an  Indian  trail,  and  made  pursuit. 
They  overtook  them,  killed  four  men,  and  captured  a boy. 
Seven  horses,  guns,  blankets,  skins,  and  all  the  Indians  had, 
were  taken.  The  troop  then  returned  to  Nashville. 

The  boy,  who  had  been  taken  prisoner  in  this  engage- 
ment, was  the  son  of  a Chickasaw  woman.  His  father  was 
a Creek  warrior.  Mountain  Leader,  a distinguished  chief  of 
her  nation,  wrote,  in  behalf  of  the  mother,  to  Captain  Rains, 
and  proposed  to  exchange,  for  his  prisoner,  the  son  of  a Mrs. 


THIRD  CAMPAIGN  OF  RAINS. 


477 


Naine,  who  had  been  stolen  by  the  Creeks  from  her,  on 
White’s  Creek,  and  taken  to  the  interior  of  their  nation. 
Batterboo,  a son  of  the  Mountain  Leader,  had  re-captured 
him  from  the  Creeks.  The  exchange,  as  proposed,  was 
agreed  to  and  made. 

In  September,  of  this  year.  Captain  Rains,  being  reinforced 
by  a like  number  of  men,  commanded  by  Captain  Shannon, 
made  his  third  expedition.  The  troop  passed  Greene’s  Lick 
and  Pond  Spring,  towards  the  head  of  Elk,  scouring  the 
woods  in  various  directions.  They  came  upon  a fresh  Indian 
trail,  which  they  followed,  and  soon  overtook  the  enemy. 
Captain  Rains,  and  one  of  his  men,  Beverly  Ridley,  pursued 
one  of  them  and  killed  him.  John  Rains,  Jun.,  and  Robert 
Evans,  outran  another,  and  made  him  prisoner.  All  the  rest 
escaped  by  flight.  In  the  camp  of  this  party  were  found 
large  quantities  of  skins  and  other  plunder,  which,  with  fif- 
teen horses,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  whites. 

Besides  these  excursions  of  Captain  Rains,  other  compa- 
nies made  similar  expeditions  in  every  direction  throughout 
the  country.  Of  the  troops  sent  over  Cumberland  Mountain, 
to  protect  the  infant  settlements,  was  a company  of  rangers, 
commanded  by  Captain  William  Martin.  He  remained  in 
that  frontier  nearly  two  years  ; sometimes  stationed  in  a fort, 
sometimes  pursuing  marauding  parties  of  Indians,  sometimes 
opening  up  channels  of  travel,  by  which  emigrants  could 
more  easily  reach  the  forming  settlements.*  The  Indians 
soon  became  more  wary  in  their  invasions  of  the  settle- 
ments, as  the  woods  through  which  they  had  to  pass  were 
constantly  traversed  by  armed  bodies  of  men,  endeavouring 
to  find  their  trails  and  prevent  their  inroads.  In  addition  to 
these  companies  raised  from  the  settlers,  a part  of  Major 
Evans’s  battalion  was  distributed  over  the  country,  and 
placed  at  the  different  stations,  in  such  proportions  as  emer- 
gencies required.  The  command  of  Captain  Hadley  re- 
mained for  nearly  two  years,  and  added  alike  to  the  popu- 
lation and  security  of  the  country.  Scouts  were  sent  out 

* At  the  Talladega  battle,  after  Colonel  Pillow  was  wounded,  his  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  William  Martin,  took  command,  and  was  conspicuous  for  his  good  con- 
duct. 


478 


CONTINUED  INDIAN  AGGRESSIONS. 


from  Bledsoe’s  Lick  to  the  Cany  Fork,  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  Winchester.  They  frequently  fell  upon  Indian 
trails,  and  met  war  parties  in  the  woods,  with  great  variety 
of  fortune,  sometimes  disastrous  and  sometimes  successful. 

But,  notwithstanding  all  these  measures  of  defence  and 
precaution,  the  Indians  occasionally  succeeded  in  penetra- 
ting to  the  more  exposed  frontier  stations,  and  murdering 
the  inhabitants.  In  this  way  Samuel  Buchanan  was  killed. 
The  Indians  came  upon  him,  ploughing  in  the  field,  and  fired 
upon  him.  He  ran,  and  was  pursued  by  twelve  Indians, 
taking,  in  their  pursuit,  the  form  of  a half-moon.  When  he 
came  to  the  bluff  of  the  creek,  below  the  field,  he  jumped 
down  a steep  bank  into  the  creek,  where  he  was  overtaken, 
killed  and  scalped.  But  the  frontier,  generally,  was  so  vigi- 
lantly guarded  by  brave  men,  experienced  in  Indian  fighting, 
that  little  success  followed  the  incursions  of  the  enemy — 
now  more  unfrequent,  and  conducted  with  timidity  and 
caution. 

The  settlements  had  received  considerable  addition  of 
^gg  ( emigrants.  Agricultural  pursuits  were  rewarded  by 
( bountiful  crops,  and  the  implacable  enmity  of  the 
savages  was  the  only  interruption  to  general  prosperity.  In 
February,  the  Indians  came  to  Bledsoe’s  Station,  in  the  night 
time,  and  wounded  George  Hamilton,  and  went  off.  Near 
Asher’s  Station,  on  the  north  side  of  Cumberland,  they 
wounded  Jesse  Maxey  ; he  fell,  and  they  scalped  him  and 
stuck  a knife  into  his  body.  Contrary  to  expectation,  he 
recovered. 

The  Indians  came  to  the  house  of  William  Montgomery, 
on  Drake’s  Creek,  in  daylight,  and  killed,  at  the  spring,  not 
a hundred  yards  from  the  house,  his  three  sons.  In  March, 
of  the  same  year,  a party  of  Creeks  killed  Peyton,  the  son 
of  Col.  James  Robertson,  at  his  plantation  on  Richland 
Creek,  and  captured  a lad,  John  Johnston,  and  retained  him 
in  captivity  several  years.  Robert  Jones  was  killed,  some 
time  afterwards,  at  Wilson’s  Station,  and  Benjamin  Williams, 
near  the  head  of  Station-Camp  Creek.  Mrs.  Neely  was 
killed,  and  Robert  Edmondson  wounded,  in  Neely’s  Bend, 
and  in  October  following,  Dunham  and  Astill  were  killed. 


MISSION  OF  HOGGATT  AND  EWING. 


479 


These  repeated  acts  of  hostility  on  the  part  of  the  Creek 
nation,  were  generally  ascribed  to  Spanish  influence.  That 
tribe  had  no  real  cause  of  displeasure  against  the  people  of 
Cumberland.  They  claimed  no  territory  upon  which  settle- 
ments  had  been  formed  ; no  encroachments  upon  their  pos- 
sessions had  been  made  ; no  acts  of  offensive  war  been 
perpetrated  by  Robertson  and  his  colonists,  except  in  defence 
of  themselves  and  their  families.  Under  these  circumstan- 
ces, it  was  determined  to  inquire,  in  a formal  manner,  from 
the  Chief  of  the  Creek  nation,  what  were  the  grounds  of 
their  offensive  deportment  towards  the  settlers.  Colonel 
Robertson  and  Colonel  Anthony  Bledsoe,  therefore,  addressed 
a joint  letter  to  the  celebrated  McGillevray,  which  was 
transmitted  to  him  by  special  messengers,  Mr.  Hoggatt  and 
Mr.  Ewing.  To  this  communication,  the  chief  replied  from 
Little  Tallassee,  April  4,  1788.  In  his  reply,  he  mentioned 
that,  in  common  with  other  southern  tribes,  the  Creeks  had 
adhered  to  the  British  interest  during  the  late  war.  That 
after  peace  was  made,  he  had  accepted  proposals  for  friend- 
ship between  their  people,  but  that  while  that  accommoda- 
tion was  pending,  six  of  his  nation  were  killed  in  the  affair 
at  Coldwater ; and  these  warriors  belonging  to  different 
towns,  in  each  of  which  they  had  connexions  of  the  first 
consequence,  a violent  clamour  followed,  which  had  given 
rise  to  the  expeditions  that  afterwards  took  place  against 
Cumberland.  The  affair  at  Coldwater, he  continued,  has  since 
been  amply  retaliated,  and  I will  now  use  my  best  endea- 
vours to  bring  about  a peace  between  us.  This  friendly 
overture  was  scarcely  received  on  Cumberland,  when,  on 
the  twentieth  of  July,  hostilities  were  again  renewed. 

Unfortunately  for  the  country,  the  first  victim  was  an 
individual  prominent  for  his  private  virtues  and  for  his  pub- 
lic services,  civil  and  military,  rendered  to  the  people  on  the 
frontier  from  the  first  settlement  of  Holston  and  Cumber- 
land. Col.  Anthony  Bledsoe,  having  broken  up  his  own  fort, 
on  what  was  known  as  the  Greenfield  Grant,  had  moved 
into  the  fort  of  his  brother,  Isaac  Bledsoe,  at  Bledsoe’s  Lick, 
and  occupied  one  end  of  his  house.  About  midnight,  of 
July  20th,  after  the  families  living  in  the  fort  had  retired  to 


480 


ROBERTSON  TEMPORIZES. 


bed,  James  Clendening  announced  that  the  Indians  were 
approaching  near  the  houses.  A party  of  them  had  formed 
an  ambuscade  about  forty  yards  in  front  of  the  passage 
separating  the  houses  of  the  two  brothers,  and,  with  the 
view  of  drawing  out  the  inmates,  a few  of  the  Indians  rode 
rapidly  through  a lane  near  the  fort.  Col.  Anthony  Bledsoe, 
hearing  the  alarm,  immediately  arose,  and,  with  his  servant, 
Campbell,  went  boldly  into  the  passage.  The  night  was 
clear  and  the  moon  shone  brightly.  The  Indians  fired; 
Campbell  was  killed,  and  the  colonel  received  a mortal 
wound,  being  shot  directly  through  the  body.  He  died  at 
sunrise  next  morning. 

The  fire  of  the  Indians  aroused  William  Hall,  who  was 
also  at  Bledsoe’s  Lick,  and  he  made  immediate  preparation 
to  resist  a further  anticipated  attack.  With  some  other 
gunmen,  he  went  to  the  port-holes,  and  there  remained  till 
daylight.  The  Indians,  seeing  the  fort  was  upon  its  guard, 
made  no  further  assault,  and  withdrew. 

At  this  period,  it  will  be  recollected,  that  the  Union  was  in 
disorder,  and  on  the  point  of  dissolution  from  the  imbecility 
of  its  own  structure,  and  that  North-Carolina  betrayed  both 
inability  and  disinclination  to  furnish  her  trans-montane 
counties  any  assistance.  Col.  Robertson  adopted  the  policy 
of  temporizing  and  amusing,  for  the  time  being,  both  the 
Creek  chieftain  and  the  agents  of  Spain,  and  to  dissemble  the 
deep  resentment  their  conduct  had  excited.  With  this  view,  he 
replied  to  McGillevray  on  the  3d  of  August,  and  though  the  re- 
cent death  of  his  friend  Col.  Bledsoe,  must  have  greatty  irritated 
him,  he  suppressed  every  feeling  of  resentment  and  asperity. 
He  acknowledged  the  satisfaction  McGillevray’s  letter  had 
given  to  his  countrymen,  and  even  seemed  to  extenuate  the 
recent  aggressions  of  the  Creeks  upon  the  settlers.  He  men- 
tioned, without  comment,  the  death  of  Col.  Bledsoe,  and  as 
a means  of  further  conciliation,  added,  that  he  had  caused  a 
deed  fora  lot  in  Nashville  to  be  recorded  in  his  name,  and 
begged  to  know  whether  he  would  accept  a tract  or  two  of 
land  in  our  young  country.  “I  would  say  much  to  you,”  he 
continued,  “respecting  this  fine  country,  but  am  fully  sensi- 
ble you  are  better  able  to  judge  what  may  take  place  a few 


robertson’s  skilful  negotiation. 


481 


years  hence,  than  myself.  In  all  probability,  we  cannot  long 
remain  in  our  present  state,  and  if  the  British  or  any  com- 
mercial nation,  who  may  possess  the  mouth  of  the  Missis- 
sippi River,  would  furnish  us  with  trade,  and  receive  our 
produce,  there  cannot  be  a doubt,  but  that  the  people 
west  of  the  Apalachian  Mountains  will  open  their  eyes  to 
their  true  interests.  I shall  be  very  happy  to  have  your 
sentiments  on  these  matters.”  This  piece  of  diplomacy  was 
not,  as  will  be  seen  hereafter,  without  its  effect  upon  those 
for  whose  use  it  was  specially  intended. 

Thus  skilfully  did  the  young  diplomatist  at  the  Bluff,  con- 
duct the  negotiation  for  its  safety.  To  a further  complaint 
made  by  McGillevray,  of  encroachments  by  settlers  upon 
Creek  territory,  Col.  Robertson  again  replied  : “ He  regretted 
the  circumstances,  and  excused  both  himself  and  the  people 
of  Cumberland  from  blame,  by  remarking,  that  they  were 
not  a part  of  the  state*  whose  people  made  the  encroach- 
ments. The  people  of  Cumberland,  he  avowed,  only  claimed 
the  lands  which  the  Cherokees had  sold  in  1775,  to  Col.  Hen- 
derson, and  for  which  they  were  paid.  He  had  not  expected  to 
be  blamed  for  his  late  expedition  against  the  Indians  below 
the  Muscle  Shoals,  who  were  known  to  be  a lawless  banditti, 
and  subject  to  the  regulations  of  no  nation.  He  had  been 
subjected,  recently,  to  the  mortification  of  seeing  one  of  his 
own  children  inhumanly  massacred,  a shock  that  almost 
conquered  the  fortitude  which  he  had  been  endeavouring, 
from  his  earliest  youth,  to  provide  as  a shield  against  the 
calamitous  evils  of  this  life.  At  the  same  time  a neighbour’s 
child  was  made  prisoner,  whom  he  requested  the  good  offices 
of  McGillevray  to  have  restored..  He  had,  last  fall,  stopped  an 
excursion  against  the  Cherokees,  on  hearing  from  Doct.  White 
their  friendly  professions.  He  importuned  McGillevray  to 
punish  the  refractory  part  of  his  nation,  as  the  only  means  of 
preserving  peace.”  Here  grief  imperceptibly  stole  upon  his 
mind,  and  poured  forth  itself  in  nature’s  simple  strains.  “It 
is  a matter  of  no  reflection,”  said  he,  “ to  a brave  man,  to  see 
a father,  a son,  or  a brother,  fall  in  the  field  of  action.  But 

* Alluding  to  Franklin. 

31 


482 


, DAVIDSON  MILITIA  GUARD  EMIGRANTS. 


it  is  a serious  and  melancholy  incident  to  see  a helpless  wo- 
man or  an  innocent  child  tomahawked  in  their  own  houses.” 

To  these  strong  and  pathetic  appeals  of  Col.  Robertson, 
McGillevray  replied,  that  he  had  endeavoured  to  get  the  Lit- 
tle Turkey  and  Bloody  Fellow  to  refrain  future  hostilities 
against  the  whites,  and  that  he  would  persist  in  measures 
most  proper  to  keep  the  Creeks  from  further  hostilities 
against  Cumberland. 

The  people  of  Tennessee  have  reason  to  venerate  the 
memory  of  James  Robertson,  alike  for  his  military  and  civil 
services,  and  the  earnest  and  successful  manner  in  which  he 
conducted  his  negotiations  for  peace  and  commerce.  His 
probity  and  weight  of  character,  secured  to  his  remonstran- 
ces with  Indian  and  Spanish  agents,  respectful  attention  and 
consideration.  His  earnest  and  truthful  manner  was  rarely 
disregarded  by  either. 

One  hundred  men,  raised  in  Davidson  and  Sumner,  and 
178b  I commanded  by  Col.  M^nsco  and  Major  Kirkpatrick, 
f escorted  twenty-two  families,  who  came  this  year  by 
the  way  of  the  future  Knoxville  to  Cumberland.  These 
guards,  to  escort  emigrant  families  through  the  wilderness, 
were  continued  several  years,  and  afforded  them  almost  per- 
fect security  from  Indian  disturbance.  But  wherever  a house 
or  a station  was  allowed  to  remain  defenceless,  murder  and 
depredation  followed.  The  Indians,  after  they  killed  Bled- 
soe, murdered  one  Walters,  near  Winchester’s  Mill.  They 
attacked  the  station  of  Southerland  Mayfield,  upon  the  head 
of  the  west  fork  of  Mill" Creek,  four  miles  above  its  junction 
with  the  east  fork.  The  party  consisted  of  ten  or  twelve 
Creek  warriors  In  the  evening,  they  came  to  a place  near 
the  station  where  Mayfield,  his  two  sons,  Col.  Jocelyn,  and 
another  person,  were  making  a wolf  pen.  The  Indians,  un- 
perceived, got  between  them  and  their  guns.  They  fired 
upon  and  killed  Mayfield,  one  of  his  sons,  and  another  per- 
son, a guard  at  that  station.  The'y  fired  upon  the  guard  and 
the  son,  as  they  went  in  the  direction  of  the  guns  to  bring 
to  the  pen  something  that  was  there,  and  jumped  over  a log, 
from  where  they  had  lain  behind  it,  to  scalp  them,  in  the 
presence  of  Mayfield  and  Jocelyn.  The  latter  ran  for  his 


INDIANS  ATTACK  BROWn’s  STATION. 


483 


gun  and  got  amongst  the  Indians,  who  fired  upon  him  and 
drove  him  hack,  pursuing  him  in  the  form  of  a half  moon. 
At  length  they  drove  him  to  a very  large  log,  over  which,  if 
he  could  not  have  jumped,  he  was  completely  penned.  Be- 
yond his  own  expectation,  Jocelyn  leaped  over  the  log  and 
fell  upon  his  back.  Despairing  of  overtaking  a man  of  so 
much  activity,  the  Indians  desisted  from  any  further  pursuit 
and  left  him.  By  a circuitous  route  he  reached  the  station. 
Mayfield  was  wounded.  He  was  not  seen  or  pursued  by 
the  Indians,  but  was  found  next  day  dead.  George  Mayfield. 
was  taken  prisoner,  and  held  in  captivity  many  years.  Sat- 
isfied with  the  guns  and  the  prisoner  they  had  taken,  the  In- 
dians made  no  assault  upon  the  station,  but  made  a hasty 
retreat.  The  people  in  the  station  then  removed  to  Captain 
Rains,  near  Nashville.  A mile  below  Mayfield’s,  the  In- 
dians attacked  Brown’s  Station,  and  killed  four  boys — two 
the  sons  of  Stowball,  one  a son  of  Joseph  Denton,  and  the 
other  a son  of  John  Brown.  Not  long  after,  at  tlje.  same 
station,  James  Haggard  and  his  wife,  John  Haggard,  and  a 
man  named  Adams,  were  all  killed.  The  people  in  this  sta- 
tion then  removed  to  Captain  Rains. 

On  the  20th  January,  of  this  year,  the  Indians  killed  Capt. 
Hunter,  and  dangerously  wounded  Hugh  F.  Bell.  A party 
of  white  men  pursued,  and,  at  the  distance  of  two  and  a half 
miles,  came  upon  them  ambuscaded.  They  fired  upon  their 
pursuers,  killed  Major  Kirkpatrick,  and  wounded  J.  Foster 
and  William  Brown.  At  Dunham’s  Station,  in  the  spring, 
they  killed  Mills;  in  May,  Dunham  ; and,  in  the  sum- 

mer, Joseph  Norrington,  and  another  Dunham,  near  the  place 
where  Joseph  Trvin’s  house  has  since  been  built.  J.  Cock- 
rill  was  fired  at  and  his  horse  was  killed.  Besides  these  al- 
ready mentioned,  there  were  several  others  killed,  whose 
names  are  not  recollected.  Hostilities  continued  throughout 
the  summer,  and  Miss McGaughy,  at  Hickman’s  Sta- 

tion, and  Hugh  Webb,  on  the  Kentucky  trace,  near  Barren 
River,  were  killed  by  the  Indians.  Henry  Ramsey  was.shot 
through  the  body,  near  Bledsoe’s  Creek,  between  Greenfield 
and  Morgan’s  Station,  three  or  four  miles  from  Bledsoe’s 
Lick. 


484 


robertson’s  station  attacked. 


1789 


In  May,  Judge  McNairy,  with  several  others,  on  their  way 
from  Cumberland  to  what  was  then  called  the  settle- 
ments, encamped  for  the  night  in  the  wilderness  west  of 
Clinch  River.  Next  morning  a large  company  of  Indians  fell 
upon  them,  killing  one  white  man  named  Stanley,  a Chicka- 
saw chief  called  Longhair,  and  his  son.  The  whites  were 
entirely  routed,  and  escaped  only  by  swimming  across  the 
river.  They  lost  all  their  horses,  and  the  most  of  their 
clothing. 

In  June,  the  Indians  made  a bold  attack  on  Robertson’s 
Station.  It  was  made  in  the  day  time,  while  the  hands  were 
at  work  in  the  field.  In  their  escape  to  the  fort,  Gen.  Robert- 
son was  wounded.  He  gave  orders  to  Col.  Elijah  Robertson 
to  send  a force  immediately  against  the  Indians  who  had  re- 
treated. To  Captain  Sampson  Williams  was  this  service 
assigned,  who,  with  sixty  or  seventy  men,  convened  at  Gen. 
Robertson’s,  marched  at  once,  pursuing  the  enemy  along 
McCut^hin’s  trace,  up  West  Harper,  to  the  ridge  of  Duck 
River.  Here  they  discovered  that  the  Indians  out-travelled 
them.  Twenty  men  were  ordered  to  the  front,  to  leave  their 
horses,  and  to  make  forced  marches  upon  the  trail.  Captain 
Williams  and  the  twenty  men,  one  of  whom  was  Andrew 
Jackson,  pushed  forward  and  soon  came  in  view  of  the  In- 
dian camp,  on  the  south  side  of  Duck  River.  They  then 
went  up  the  river  a mile  and  a half,  crossed  over  it  in  the 
night,  and  went  down  its  bank  to  the  place  the  Indian  camp 
was  supposed  to  be.  The  cane  was  so  thick  that  they  could 
not  find  the  camp,  and  they  lay  on  their  arms  all  night.  In 
the  morning,  Captain  Williams  advancing  about  fifty  yards, 
descried  the  Indians  repairing  their  fires,  at  the  distance  of 
one  hundred  yards  from  him.  He  and  his  men  rushed  to- 
wards them,  fired  at  sixty  yards  distance,  killed  one,  wounded 
five  or  six,  and  drove  the  whole  party  across  the  river  to  the 
north  side.  The  Indians  carried  off  their  wounded  and  es- 
caped, not  taking  time  even  to  return  the  fire.  In  their  flight 
they  left  to  the  victors  sixteen  guns,  nineteen  shot-pouches, 
and  all  their  baggage,  consisting  of  blankets,  moccasins  and 
leggins.  They  were  not  again  overtaken. 

Near  the  mouth  of  the  Sulphur  Fork  of  Red  River,  the  In- 


ARRIVAL  OP  COLONEL  PILLOW. 


485 


dians  fell  upon  the  families  of  Isaac  and  John  Titsworth, 
moving  .to  the  country.  They,  their  wives  and  children, 
were  all  killed. 

Evan  Shelby,  Abednego  Lewellen,  Hugh  F.  Bell,  and 
Colonel  Tenen,  were  in  the  woods  hunting.  The  two  for- 
mer were  killed  ; the  two  last  escaped. 

In  September,  the  Indians  came  to  Buchanan’s  Station. 
John  Blackburn,  standing  on  the  bank  of  the  creek  near  the 
spring,  was  fired  upon  by  ten  or  twelve  of  them  at  the 
same  time.  He  was  killed,  scalped,  and  left  with  a spear 
sticking  in  his  body. 

Among  other  emigrants  from  North-Carolina  to  Cumber- 
land, was  the  father  of  Colonel  William  Pillow.  He  came 
through  the  wilderness  with  the  guard  commanded  by 
Captain  Elijah  Robertson,  and  settled  four  miles  south  of 
Nashville,  at  Brown’s  Station.  The  son,  William  Pillow, 
was  in  most  of  the  expeditions  carried  on  against  the  In- 
dians, from  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  the  country  to  the  close 
of  the  Indian  war.  He  was  under  Captain  Rains  in  the 
tour  to  Elk  River,  already  mentioned.  He  also  accompa- 
nied Captain  John  Gordon  in  .pursuit  of  the  Indians  who 
had  killed  a woman  near  Buchanan’s  Station.  Only  one  of 
the  savages  was  killed ; the  rest  effected  their  escape  in  the 
cane,  and  at  night.  He  was  also  one  of  Captain  Murray’s 
company,  who  gave  pursuit  to  the  Indians,  who,  in  Febru- 
ary, killed  John  Helin  at  Jonathan  Robertson’s  Station,  six 
or  seven  miles  below  Nashville,  and  had  also  stolen  several 
horses  in  that  neighbourhood.  Murray’s  company  crossed 
Duck  River,  five  miles  below  the  place  where  Columbia  now 
stands,  and  continued  a rapid  march,  day  and  night.  The 
smoke  from  the  enemy’s  camp  was  discovered,  and  four  or 
five  spies  were  sent  forward.  Captain  Murray  charged 
obliquely  to  the  right  of  the  camp,  which  was  on  the  bank 
of  Tennessee  River.  His  left  charged  obliquely  to  the  left, 
and  struck  the  river  above  the  Indian  camp.  The  spies  fired 
and  killed  one ; the  other  Indians  ran  down  the  river  into  Capt. 
Murray’s  line,  when,  finding  their  flight  intercepted  in  that 
direction,  they  jumped  into  the  river,  and  were  shot.  Mr. 
Maclin  shot  one  before  he  got  into  the  water.  William  Pil- 


486 


SIGNAL  VALOUR,  INTREPIDITY  AND  SUFFERINGS 


low,  hearing  a gun  fire  at  a place  which  he  had  just  passed, 
pushed  his  horse  up  the  steep  second  river  bank,  and  dis- 
covered Davis  running  towards  him,  pursued  by  four  Indians. 
Pillow  dashed  forward,  and  the  Indians,  discontinuing  the 
pursuit  of  Davis,  ran  off  in  the  opposite  direction.  Pillow, 
pressing  the  pursuit  too  eagerly,  fell  from  his  horse  ; but  re- 
covered, sprang  to  his  feet,  gained  upon  the  Indian,  and  dis- 
charged the  contents  of  his  musket  into  his  body.  At  that 
moment,  Captain  Murray,  Thomas  Cox,  Robert  Evans,  Luke 
Anderson  and  William  Ewing  rode  up,  and  Pillow  pointed 
out  to  them  the  direction  one  of  the  Indians  had  gone.  They 
immediately  gave  pursuit,  and  saw  the  Indian  attempting  to 
mount  Pillow’s  horse,  which  he  succeeded  in  doing.  Cox 
ran  up  and  shot  him  through  the  shoulder.  The  Indian, 
nevertheless,  held  on  to  Pillow’s  horse,  and  kept  him  in  a 
gallop  till  the  whole  company  came  up  with  him  He  now 
slipped  off  the  horse,  and,  as  he  came  to  the  ground,  scared 
Anderson’s  mule,  which  run  under  a low  tree,  whose  limbs 
caught  his  gun  and  jerked  it  out  of  his  hand.  The  brave 
Indian  caught  it  up,  snapped  it  three  or  four  times  at  them, 
before  Evans  shot  him  down.  Pursuit  was  then  made  by 
Andrew  Castleman  and  others,  after  the  two  other  Indians 
whom  Pillow  had  driven  from  Davis.  They  were  found  hid 
in  the  water,  under  a bluff  of  rocks ; both  were  killed. 
Others  were  found  concealing  themselves  under  the  bank, 
and  suffered  the  same  fate.  Eleven  warriors  were  killed ; 
the  whole  party,  as  wTas  ascertained  from  the  squaws  who 
were  taken  prisoners.* 

Such  were  the  accumulated  difficulties  from  savage  hos- 
tility, undergone  by  the  Cumberland  settlements,  in  the  first 
nine  years  after  the  arrival  of  Robertson  at  the  Bluff.  The 
prophecy  of  the  sagacious  Cherokee  chief  had  been  already 
fulfilled  to  the  letter,  and,  still  later,  received  further  and 
stronger  realization.  “ Much  trouble  ” attended  each  step 
in  the  growth  of  the  gallant  community,  of  which  the 
French  Lick  was  the  nucleus.  And  it  may  be  safely  said, 
that  as  the  co-pioneers  and  compatriots  of  Robertson  under- 


#Manuscript'  Narratives. 


OF  THE  CUMBERLAND  PEOPLE. 


487 


went  trials,  hardships,  dangers,  invasion,  assault,  massacre 
and  death  from  Indian  warfare,  unsurpassed,  in  degree  and 
duration,  in  the  history  of  any  people  ; so  they  were  endured 
with  a fortitude,  borne  with  a perseverance,  encountered 
with  a determination,  resisted  with  a courage,  and  signal- 
ized with  a valour,  unequalled  and  unrecorded.  The  Bluff, 
the  stations  in  its  environs,  the  forts  in  the  adjoining  neigh- 
bourhoods, each  hunting  excusion,  the  settlement  of  each 
farm  around  the  flourishing  metropolis  of  Tennessee,  fur- 
nishes its  tale  of  desperate  adventure  and  romantic  heroism, 
upon  which  this  writer  dare  not  here  linger.  A volume 
would  be  insufficient  for  that  desirable  and  necessary  pur- 
pose ; and  leaving  that  duty  to  some  admiring  and  grateful 
citizen  of  Nashville,  he  hastens,  for  the  present,  from  the 
account  of  the  military,  to  the  civil  affairs  of  Cumberland. 

The  General  Assembly  of  North-Carolina,  in  May  of  this 
1780  i year>  engaoed  by  a public  act,  in  the  form  of  a reso- 
l lution,  to  give  to  the  officers  and  soldiers,  in  its  line  of 
the  Continental  establishment,  a bounty  in  lands  in  propor- 
tion to  their  respective  grades.  These  lands  were  to  be  laid 
off  in  what  is  known  as  Middle  Tennessee.  To  all  such  as 
were  then  in  the  military  service,  and  should  continue  to  the 
end  of  the  war,  or  such  as,  from  wounds  or  bodily  infirmity, 
have  been,  or  shall  be,  rendered  unfit  for  service  ; and  to  the 
heirs  of  such  as  shall  have  fallen,  or  shall  fall,  in  defence  of 
the  country.  There  never  was  a bounty  more  richly  de- 
served, or  more  ungrudgingly  promised.  It  furnished  to  the 
war-worn  soldier,  or  to  his  children,  a home  in  the  new  and 
fertile  lands  of  the  West,  where  a competency,  at  least,  per- 
haps wealth  or  even  affluence,  might  follow,  after  the  storm 
of  war  was  past;  and  where  the  serene  evening  of  life  might 
be  spent  in  the  contemplation  of  the  eventful  scenes  of  his 
earlier  years,  devoted  to  the  service  of  his  country,  and  to 
the  cause  of  freedom  and  independence.  In  search  of  this 
bounty,  thus  provided  by  North-Carolina  for  her  whig  sol- 
diery, a vast  emigration  from  that  state  came  soon  after  to 
what  is  now  Tennessee ; and,  owing  to  this  cause,  it  was  at 
onetime  estimated,  that  nine-tenths  of  the  Tennessee  popu- 


488 


CIVIL  GOVERNMENT  AT  THE  BLUFF. 


lation  came  from  the  mother  state.  It  is  still,  essentially,  jj 
North-Carol  ini  an. 

As  on  Watauga  at  its  first  settlement,  so,  also  now,  on 
Cumberland,  the  colonists  of  Robertson  were  without  any 
regularly  organized  government.  The  country  was  within 
the  boundaries  of  Washington  county,  which  extended  to 
the  Mississippi  River,  perhaps  the  largest  extent  of  territory 
ever  embraced  in  a single  county.  But,  even  here,  in  the 
wilds  of  Cumberland,  removed  more  than  six  hundred  miles 
from  their  seat  of  government,  the  people  demonstrated 
again  their  adequacy  to  self-government.  Soon  after  their 
arrival  at  the  Bluff,  the  settlers  appointed  trustees,  and  signed 
a covenant,  obliging  themselves  to  conform  to  the  judgments 
and  decisions  of  these  officers,  in  whom  they  had  vested  the 
powers  of  government.  Those  who  signed  the  covenant 
had  considerable  advantages  over  those  who  did  not ; they 
were  respectively  allowed  a tract  of  land,  the  quiet  posses- 
sion of  which  was  guaranteed  by  the  colony.  Those  who 
did  not  sign  the  covenant,  were  considered  as  having  no  right 
to  their  lands,  and  could  be  dispossessed  by  a signer  with- 
out any  recourse.  To  the  trustees  were  allowed,  in  these 
times  of  primitive  honesty  and  old-fashioned  public  spirit, 
neither  fees  nor  salaries.  But,  to  the  clerk  appointed  by  the 
trustees,  were  given  small  perquisites,  as  compensation  for 
the  expense  of  paper  and  stationery.  The  trustees  were  the 
Executive  of  the  colony,  and  had  the  whole  government  in 
their  own  hands  ; acting  as  the  judiciary,  their  decisions 
gave  general  satisfaction.  To  them  were  also  committed 
the  functions  of  the  sacerdotal  office,  in  the  celebration  of 
the  rites  of  matrimony.  The  founder  of  the  colony,  Captain. 
James  Robertson,  as  might  have  been  expected,  was  one  of 
the  trustees,  and  was  the  first  who  married  a couple.  These 
were  Captain  Leiper  and  his  wife.  Mr.  James  Shaw  was 
also  a trustee,  aud  married  Edward  Swanson  to  Mrs.  Gar- 
vin, James  Freeland  to  Mrs.  Maxwell,  Cornelius  Riddle  to 
Miss  Jane  Mulherrin,  and  John  Tucker  to  Jenny  Herod,  all 
in  one  day.  The  first  child  born  in  the  country,  was  John 
Saunders,  since  the  sheriff  of  Montgomery  county,  and  after- 


FIRST  CHILD  BORN  IN  NASHVILLE. 


489 


wards  killed  on  White  River  by  the  Indians.  The  second 
born  in  the  country,  was  Anna  Wells.  The  first  child  born 
in  Nashville,  was  the  son  of  Captain  Robertson— the  present 
venerable  relict  of  another  age — Doctor  Felix  Robertson. 

Under  this  patriarchal  form  of  government,  by  trustees  se- 
lected, on  account  of  their  experience,  probity  and  firmness, 
the  colony  was  planted,  defended,  governed  and  provided  for, 
several  years  ; and  the  administration  of  justice,  and  the  pro- 
tection of  rights,  though  simple  and  a little  irregular,  it  is 
believed,  were  as  perfect  and  satisfactory  as  at  any  subse- 
quent period  in  its  history. 

The  right  to  the  lands  on  the  Lower  Cumberland,  at  the 
time  the  Revolutionary  War  commenced,  lay  in  the  Chicka 
saws,  rather  than  in  the  Cherokees.  The  former,  prior  to 
that  time,  lived  north  of  the  Tennessee  River,  and  at  least 
fifty  miles  lower  down  that  stream,  than  the  lowest  Cherokee 
towns.  The  greatest  contiguity  to  hunting  grounds,  and  the 
prior  use  of  them,  seems  to  be  the  best  claim  Indians  can 
establish  to  them.  The  Chickasaws  claimed,  and  ceded,  the 
Cumberland  lands,  at  the  treaty  held  by  Donelson  and  Martin 
in  1782  or  1783.*  It  was,  probably,  never  reported  to  Con- 
gress. Where  this  treaty  was  held,  its  exact  date,  the  boun- 
daries agreed  upon,  &c.,  &c.,  this  writer  has  not  been  able 
to  ascertain.  It  is  referred  to,  as  above,  in  a letter  from 
Governor  William  Blount  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  dated 
Knoxville,  January  14th,  1793. 

But  North-Carolina  owned  the  territory,  and  began  to  ex- 
ercise further  guardianship  over  her  distant  possessions.  In 
April  of  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty-two,  her  legislature, 
by  an  act  passed  for  that  purpose,  allowed  to  the  settlers  on 
the  Cumberland  rights  of  pre-emption.  Six  hundred  -and 
forty  acres  were  allowed  to  each  family  or  head  of  a family. 
A similar  provision  was  made  for  each  single  man,  of  the 
age  of  twenty-one  years  and  upward,  who  had  settled  the 
lands  before  the  first  of  June,  1780.  Such  tracts  were  to  in- 
clude the  improvement  each  settler  had  made.  No  right  of 
pre-emption,  however,  was  extended,  so  as  to  include  any 

"American  State  Papers,  vol.  y.,  pp.  432  and  326. 


490 


LANDS  GRANTED  TO  SOLDIERS. 


saltlick  or  salt  spring;  these  were  reserved  by  the  same 
act  as  public  property,  together  with  six  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  adjoining  lands  ; the  rest  of  the  country  was  all  de-  lj 
dared  to  be  subject  to  partition. 

The  act  for  the  relief  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  in  her  Conti- 
nental line,  made  good  all  depreciation  of  pay  and  subsist- 
ence and  clothing,  of  each  officer  and  soldier,  and  provided 
for  the  widow  and  heirs  of  such  as  were  killed  in  the  public 
service.  It  made  a princely  allowance  in  lands  “ as  an  ef- 
fectual and  permanent  reward  for  their  signal  bravery  and 
persevering  zeal,”  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Conti- 
nental line;  to  a Brigadier-General,  twelve  thousand  acres ; 
and  to  all  intermediate  ranks,  in  that  proportion.  To  General 
Nathaniel  Greene,  twent}^-five  thousand  acres  were  given, 

“ as  a mark  of  the  high  sense  this  state  entertains  of  the  ex- 
traordinary services  of  that  brave  and  gallant  officer.” 
Absalom  Tatom,  Isaac  Shelby  and  Anthony  Bledsoe,  were 
appointed  Commissioners  to  lay  off  the  lands  thus  allotted. 
The  Commissioners  were  to  be  accompanied  by  a guard  of 
one  hundred  men. 

Courts  of  Equity  were,  at  the  same  session  of  the  legisla- 
ture, established  in  all  the  districts  of  the  state.  What  is 
now  Tennessee,  was  embraced  in  the  District  of  Morgan. 

The  war  of  the  Revolution  was  coming  to  an  eild,  and 
2 ( from  this  event,  as  had  been  anticipated  by  Captain 
l Robertson,  an  abatement  of  Indian  hostility  followed. 
The  prospect  of  peace  and  security  to  emigrants  and  their 
property,  induced  the  removal  of  great  numbers  from  the 
Atlantic  sections,  which  gave  new  strength  and  increased 
animation  to  the  Cumberland  settlements. 

At  the  commencement  of  this  year,  Commissioners  who 
( had  been  appointed  to  lay  off  the  bounty  lands  to  the 
X officers  and  soldiers  in  the  North-Carolina  line,  came 
to  Cumberland.  They  were  accompanied  by  a numerous 
guard,  for  whose  services,  compensation  was  provided,  in 
lands,  afterwards  known  as  guard  rights.  Many  sought  to 
be  enlisted  in  the  service,  and  the  guard  soon  became  for- 
midable for  its  numbers.  The  Indians  offered  them  no  mo- 
lestation, while  they  were  executing  the  duties  of  their  ap- 


COMMISSION  TO  LAY  OFF  BOUNTY  LANDS. 


491 


pointment.  The  settlers  were  much  encouraged  by  their 
presence,  and,  as  such  an  accession  of  armed  men  gave  great 
additional  strength  to  the  defence  of  the  country,  all  idea  of 
leaving  it  was,  at  once,  abandoned,  and  the  settlements  be- 
gan to  wear  the  aspect  of  permanence  and  stability',  and  a 
flood  of  new  emigrants  soon  followed. 

The  Commissioners,  accompanied  by  the  guard  and  a few 
of  the  inhabitants,  went  to  the  place  since  known  as  Lati- 
tude Hill,  on  Elk  River,  to  ascertain  the  thirty-fifth  degree 
of  north  latitude.  Here  they  made  their  observation.  They 
then  proceeded  to  lay  off,  for  General  Greene,  the  twenty- 
five  thousand  acres  of  land  presented  by  North-Carolina  to 
him.  The  present  had  been  richly  deserved,  and,  on  the  part  of 
the  state,  was  munificent.  It  embraced  some  of  the  best, 
lands  on  Duck  River — perhaps  the  best  in  Tennessee. 

The  Commissioners  then,  fifty-five  miles  from  the  south- 
ern boundary  and  parallel  thereto,  ran  the  Continental  line. 
But  the  Assembly,  at  the  request  of  the  officers,  during  their 
session  of  this  year,  directed  it  to  be  laid  oft'  from  the  north- 
ern boundary,  fifty-five  miles  to  the  south  : “ beginning  on 
the  Virginia  line,  where  Cumberland  River  intersects  the 
same  ; thence  south,  fifty-five  miles  ; thence  west,  to  the  Ten- 
nessee River  ; thence  down  the  Tennessee  to  the  Virginia 
line  ; thence  with  the  said  Virginia  line,  east,  to  the  begin- 
ning.” 

A further  duty  of  the  Commissioners  was  to  examine  into 
the  claims  of  those  persons  who  considered  themselves  enti- 
tled to  the  pre-emption  rights  granted  to  those  who  settled  on 
Cumberland  previous  to  June  1st,  1780.  This  was  done  by 
the  Commission  sitting  at  the  Bluff,  and  the  necessary  cer- 
tificates for  the  pre-emption  rights  were  issued. 

Its  duties  performed,  the  Commission  was  dissolved,  and 
Isaac  Shelby  ceased  to  be  a citizen  of  what  is  now  Tennes- 
see, and  removed  to  Kentucky.  These  annals  have  testified 
to  the  energy,  fidelity  and  success  of  his  services  in  the  mili- 
tary, civil- and  political  affairs  of  the  country,  from  the  com- 
mencement of  its  settlement  to  the  present  time.  Of  his 
subsequent  history,  Tennessee  may  well  be  proud.  His  no- 
vitiate in  the  public  service  was  passed,  and  his  character 


492 


CHARACTER  OF  ISAAC  SHELBY  AND 


formed  within  her  borders  and  amongst  her  pioneers.  There 
he  laid,  with  his  own  sword,  the  basis  of  his  reputation,  and 
there  he  acquired  the  materials  out  of  which  to  erect  the 
column  of  renown  which  has  since  adorned  his  name.  A 
fellow-soldier  and  co-patriot  of  Sevier,  these  youthful  vol- 
unteers fired  the  first  guns  on  the  Ivenhawa — conquered  to- 
gether at  King’s  Mountain,  and  together  captured  the  British 
post  at  Wapetaw.  With  their  joint  assistance,  the  founda- 
tion of  society  in  the  West  was  laid  by  Robertson.  These 
three  are  the  real  artificers  of  Western  character,  and  their 
co-operation  moulded  into  form  the  elements  which  consti- 
tute its  beauty  and  its  strength.  The  Volunteer  State  is 
much  indebted  to  Isaac  Shelby.  But  the  details  of  his  fu- 
ture life  cannot  be  here  given.  It  is  proper,  however,  to  add 
that  he  became  the  first  Governor  of  the  State  of  his  adop- 
tion, and  that,  in  the  war  of  eighten  hundred  and  twelve, 
having  again  been  elected  G overnor  of  Kentucky,  he  marched, 
at  the  head  of  four  thousand  Kentucky  troops,  across  the 
State  of  Ohio,  to  General  Harrison’s  head-quarters,  and  there 
exhibited  the  same  cool  and  determined  courage  that  had 
signalized  his  youth.  The  last  public  service  he  performed 
for  Tennessee  was,  as  one  of  the  Commissioners  at  the 
treaty  with  the  Chickasaw  Indians,  at  which  that  tribe  re- 
linquished all  their  lands  north  of  the  southern  boundary  of 
the  state,  and  between  the  Tennessee  and  Mississippi  Rivers. 
His  death  occurred  suddenly,  July  18,  1826,  in  the  76th  year 
of  his  age.  The  memory  of  this  brave  officer  and  patriotic 
man,  is  perpetuated  by  the  state,  in  the  name  of  her  south- 
western county,  where  he  negotiated  with  the  Chickasaws, 
and  in  the  name  of  the  beautiful  county  seat,  Shelbyville,  in 
Bedford  county. 

Amongst  the  enactments  by  the  Assembly  of  this  year, 
178"  1 WaS  0116  the  county  of  Davidson,  and  ap- 

l pointing  for  it  civil  and  military  officers  as  in  other 
counties,  and  establishing  a court  of  pleas  and  quarter  ses- 
sions. 

Davidson  county,  like  the  other  three  already  established 
west  of  the  Apalachian  chain,  received  its  name  from  an 
officer  of  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  General  William 


OP  GENERAL  DAVIDSON. 


493 


Davidson,  of  Mecklenburg  county,  North-Carolina.  A na- 
tive of  that  part  of  the  state  which  had  early  exhibited  an 
enthusiastic  devotion  to  independence  and  freedom,  he 
sought  and  obtained  a command,  though  of  inferior  grade, 
in  the  Continental  army.  In  that  service  he  was  considered 
a gallant  officer,  and  acquired  reputation.  When  the  enemy 
overran  South-Carolina,  he  left  the  regular  service,  and  was 
immediately  appointed  General  in  the  North-Carolina  mili- 
tia. In  his  new  sphere  of  duty,  he  manifested  great  zeal 
and  public  spirit.  It  was  he  whom  Col.  McDowell  sought, 
to  invite  him  to  take  the  chief  command  of  the  troops  at 
King’s  Mountain.  He  was  constantly  on  the  alert  to  dis- 
perse the  tories  and  annoy  Lord  Cornwallis,  while  his  head- 
quarters were  at  Charlotte.  After  the  battle  of  the  Cow- 
pens,  Morgan,  in  removing  the  prisoners,  for  safe  keeping, 
to  Virginia,  was  pursued  by  the  British  army.  General 
Davidson,  having  under  his  command  some  active  militia- 
men, hastily  collected  in  his  neighbourhood,  endeavoured  to 
retard  the  pursuers,  and  at  every  river  and  creek  caused 
them  some  delay,  and  thus  contributed,  essentially,  to  the 
escape  of  the  American  army  and  the  prisoners  which 
encumbered  its  march.  In  this  service  General  Davidson 
lost  his  life.  On  the  first  of  February,  1781,  the  British 
army,  accompanied  by  loyalists,  who  knew  the  roads  and 
crossing  places,  came  to  the  Catawba  River,  at  Cowan’s 
Ford,  and  began  to  cross  at  that  place.  Davidson  rode  to 
the  river,  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy  on  the  other  side,  with 
the  hope  of  devising  some  plan  to  keep  them  back  awhile. 
A tory,  who  knew  him,  and  who  was  in  advance,  piloting 
the  enemy,  had  nearly  crossed  the  river,  and,  unperceived  by 
the  General,  was  near  the  bank  on  which  he  rode,  and  shot 
him.  Knowing  that  the  wou  id  was  mortal,  he  rode  briskly 
back  to  a place  where  he  had  left  part  of  his  troops,  gave 
them  some  necessary  directions  what  to  do,  and  soon  after 
expired.  “ Never  was  there  a more  intrepid  soldier  ; never 
a greater  patriot ; never  did  any  man  love  his  country  with 
a more  ardent  affection.  His  name  should  be  ever  dear  to 
the  people  of  North-Carolina  and  Tennessee.”* 

*Haywood. 


494 


NASHVILLE  ESTABLISHED. 


His  grave  is  pointed  out,  and  may  be  seen,  not  far  from 
where  lie  fell,  in  Hopewell  Church-yard.  Congress  voted  him 
a monument,  but  his  grave  is  yet  without  an  inscription. 
The  metropolitan  county  of  Tennessee  perpetuates  his 
name.  His  virtue,  patriotism  and  valour,  can  never  be  for- 
gotten. 

The  Legislature  also  established  a town  at  the  Bluff.  It  was 
1 named  Nashville,  in  honour  of  Col.  Francis  Nash.  He 
( was  an  early  advocate  for  resistance  against  arbitrary 
power — being  a captain  in  the  Regulation  war  in  1771,  and 
appointed  as  early  as  the  24th  August,  1775,  by  the  Congress 
of  North-Carolina,  as  one  of  a Committee  to  prepare  a plan 
for  the  regulation,  internal  peace,  order  and  safety  of  the 
province.  To  this  important  Committee  was  entrusted  the 
duty  of  proposing  a system  of  government,  which  would 
supply  the  want  of  an  executive  officer,  arising  from  the  ab- 
sence of  Governor  Martin,  who  had  fled  from  his  palace, 
and  of  submitting  other  subordinate  plans  of  government, 
such  as  the  institution  of  Committees  of  Safety,  the  qualifi- 
cations of  electors,  “ and  every  other  civil  power  necessary 
to  be  formed,  in  order  to  relieve  the  province  in  the  present 
unhappy  state  to  which  the  administration  had  reduced  it.’1* 

September  1st,  1775,  the  North-Carolina  Congress  ap- 
pointed Mr.  Nash,  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  first  regiment 
in  the  Continental  service.  At  the  battle  of  Germantown 
he  commanded  as  Brigadier-General,  and  at  the  head  of  his 
brigade,  fell  bravely  fighting  for  the  Independence  of  his 
country.  Davidson  and  Nash  were  from  the  same  state- 
bore  the  same  rank  in  her  armies — both  fell  in  engagements 
that  were  unsuccessful  to  the  American  arms,  but  their  names 
will  be  gratefully  remembered,  while  the  metropolitan  coun- 
ty, and  the  metropolis  itself  of  Tennessee,  shall  continue. 

The  curious  may  wish  to  see  the  initiative  proceedings  of 
the  first  Court  held  in  Davidson  county. 

1783 — Oct.  6 — County  Court  of  Davidson  instituted. 

Whereas,  an  act  was  made  at  Hillsborough,  the  April  session  last 
past,  etc.,  appointing  and  commissioning  the  following  gentlemen,  viz: — 
Anthony  Bledsoe,  Daniel  Smith,  Jas.  Robertson,  Isaac  Bledsoe,  Samuel 


* Jones. 


DAVIDSON  COUNTV  COURT. 


495 


Barton,  Thos  Molloy,  Francis  Prince,  and  Isaac  Lindsay,  Esqs.,  mem- 
bers of  said  Court;  Isaac  Bledsoe,  Samuel  Barton,  Francis  Prince,  and 
Isaac  Lindsay,  met  and  were  qualified  in  the  following  manner  : — the 
next  junior  to  the  senior  member  present,  mentioned  in  the  Commission, 
administered  the  oaths  of  office  prescribed  for  the  qualifications  of  pub- 
lic officers,  to  the  senior  member  present,  and  then  he  to  the  others  pre- 
sent. 

(Signed,)  Isaac  Bledsoe. 

Test — Andrew  Ewing,  C.  D.  C. 

The  Court  then  proceeded  to  elect  a Clerk,  and  made  choice  of  Mat- 
thew Talbot,  Jun.,  Esq. 

Daniel  Williams,  elected  Sheriff. 

Oct.  7 — Talbot  not  being  able  to  give  security  give  up,  the  place  was 
declared  vacant,  and  the  Court  proceeded  to  elect  Andrew  Ewing,  Clerk. 

Samuel  Barton,  elected  Entry-taker. 

Francis  Prince,  Register. 

The  Court  then  nominated  constables  in  the  several  stations,  viz : — 
Samuel  Mason,  at  Maulding’s ; James  McCain,  at  Mansco’s;  Stephen 
Ray,  at  Heatonsburg,  John  McAdams,  at  Nash  borough  ; and  Edward 
Swanson,  at  Freeland’s  Station. 

The  Court  then  proceeded  to  fix  on  a place  for  the  building  of  a 
court-house  and  prison,  and  agreed  that  in  the  present  situation  of  the 
settlement  that  it  be  at  Nashborough — size  of  court-house  to  be  eigh- 
teen feet  square,  with  a shade  of  twelve  feet  on  the  one  side  of  the 
length  of  the  house ; said  house  to  be  furnished  with  the  necessary- 
benches,  bar,  table,  etc.,  fit  for  the  reception  of  the -Court;  also,  a pri- 
son, fourteen  feet  square,  of  hewed  logs,  of  a foot  square ; both  walls, 
loft  and  floor,  except  the  same,  shall  be  built  upon  a rock.  To  be  done 
on  the  best  and  most  reasonable  terms,  and  that  the  same  be  vendued 
at  the  lowest  price  that  can  be  had. 

First  Mill. 

The  Court  give  leave  to  Headon  Wells,  to  build  a water  grist  mill  on 
Thomas  Creek,  about  a quarter  and  half  a quarter  up  said  creek  from 
the  mouth. 

First  Road  laid  off. 

Ordered  that  the  road  leading  from  Nashville  to  Mansco’s  Station,  as 
laid  off  heretofore  by  an  order  of  Committee,  be  cleared  out. 

Appointed  grand  jurors,  and  adjourned  to  first  Monday  in  January. 

1184 — January  5 — Court  met.  Members  present — the  Worshipful 
Isaac  Bledsoe,  Samuel  Barton,  and  Isaac  Lindsay,  Esqs. 

January  6 — On  motion  made  to  the  Court  concerning  allegations 
against  John  Montgomery,  as  an  aider  and  abettor  in  the  treasonable 
piratical  proceeding,  carried  on  in  the  Mississippi,  against  the  Spaniards, 
it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Court  that  the  said  M.  be  holden  in  security  in 
the  sum  of  150  pounds,  for  his  appearance  at  our  next  Court,  on  which 
Elijah  Robertson  and  Stephen  Ray  became  securities  for  his  appear- 
ance. 

Wm.  Cocke  and  John  Sevier,  were  offered  as  securities  on  the  bond 
of  Matthew  Talbot,  elected  as  Clerk.  ' It  is  the  opinion  of  the  Court 


49G 


SUPERIOR  COURT  ESTABLISHED. 


that  he  is  not  entitled  thereto.  The  following  military  officers  • were 
sworn: — Anthony  Bledsoe,  1st  Colonel;  Isaac  Bledsoe,  1st  Major; 
Samuel  Barton,  2d  Major : Jasper  Mansco,  1st  Captain;  George  Free- 
land, 2d;  John  Buchanan,  3d;  Jas.  Ford,  4th;  Wm,  Ramsey,  Jona- 
than Drake,  Ambrose  Maulding,  and  Peter  Sides,  Lieutenants;  William 
Collins  and  Elmore  Douglass,  Ensigns. 

Daniel  Smith,  appointed  Surveyor. 

1784 — April  5 — Court  met  at  the  house  where  Jouathan  Drake  lately 
lived — adjourns  to  meet  immediately  in  the  house  in  Nashburgh,  where 
Israel  Harman  lately  lived. 

July  8,  1784 — Records  call  it  Nashville. 

The  Assembly  of  this  year  legislated  farther  for  the  Cum- 

5 $ berland  settlements.'  The  members  were  received 
( and  treated  with  great  consideration  and  regard.  Re- 
lations of  a new  character  began  to  spring  up  between  North- 
Carolina  and  her  ultra-montane  citizens.  Many  inhabitants 
of  the  mother  state  needed  the  good  offices  and  assistance 
of  her  pioneer  citizens  in  the  West,  in  locating  to  the  best 
advantage,  and  attending  to,  their  land  warrants.  The  west- 
ern interest , as  it  was  called,  was  becoming  of  such  value 
in  legislation  and  appointments  to  office,  that  the  representa- 
tives from  the  four  westernmost  counties,  who,  from  the  iden- 
tity of  their  local  interests,  always  acted  as  a unit  in  the  Le- 
gislature, were  much  courted  and  caressed.  They  dexte- 
rously used  the  advantages  these  considerations  placed  in 
their  power  for  the  benefit  of  their  suffering  constituencies. 
Every  thing  not  involving  the  expenditure  of  money  by  the 
Treasury  of  North-Carolina,  was  cheerfully  granted  to  them. 
An  inspection  of  tobacco  in  Davidson  county  was  estab- 
lished. Davidson  Academy  was"  incorporated  and  endowed 
with  lands,  which  were  exempted  from  taxation  for  ninety- 
nine  years. 

A Superior  Court  of  Law  and  Equity,  was  also  established 
at  Nashville,  the  first  session  of  which  was  to  commence  on 
the  first  Monday  of  May,  1786.  The  act  creating  this  Court, 
provided  that  no  person  in  Davidson  county  should  be  sub- 
ject to  any  action  in  the  Courts  east  of  the  Apalachian  Moun- 
tains, and  that  no  person  on  that  side  of  the  mountain  should 
be  subjected  to  any  action  in  Davidson  county.  The  salary 
allowed  to  the  Judge  was  fifty  pounds  for  each  Court  he 
held,  and  it  was  expressly  enacted  that  that  should  be  paid 


ADVENTUROUS  SPIRIT  OF  THE  PIONEERS. 


497 


from  the  Treasury  of  Davidson  county,  so  careful  were  the 
Legislature  of  the  parent  state  that  her  western  possessions 
should  cost  North-Carolina  nothing. 

Commissioners,  in  the  meantime,  had  been  appointed  by 
Congress,  to  treat  with  the  Cherokees  and  other  southern 
Indians.  Col.  William  Blount  attended,  also,  as  the  Agent  of 
North-Carolina,  and  protested  against  some  of  the  provisions 
of  the  treaty,  which  “ infringe  upon  and  violate  the  legisla- 
tive rights”  of  the  state  he  represented.  The  Commissioners, 
in  their  report  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Richard  Henry 
Lee,  remark  : 

“That  there  are  some  few  people  settled  on  the  Indian  lands  whom 
we  are  to  remove,  and  those  in  the  fork  of  French  Broad  and  Holston 
being  numerous,  the  Indians  agreed  to  refer  their  particular  situation  to 
Congress,  and  abide  their  decision.  We  told  them  there  were  too  many 
for  us  to  engage  positively  to  order  off,  although  they  had  settled  ex- 
pressly against  the  treaty  entered  into  by  Virginia  and  North-Carolina, 
with  the  Cherokees,  in  1777.” 

By  an  estimate  furnished  by  the  same  report,  the  Indians 
then  residing  south  of  Tennessee,  and  in  reach  of  her  infant 
settlements,  are  computed  to  be — 


“ Gunmen  of  the  Cherokees, 

- 

- 

- 

2,000 

“ “ Creeks, 

- 

- 

- 

5,400 

“ “ Chickasaws, 

- 

- 

- 

800 

“ “ Choctaws, 

- 

- 

- 

6,000 

Warriors,  - - - - 14,200 

There  are,  also,  some  remains  of  tribes  settled  among  these,  as  Shaw- 
neese,  Euchees,  etc.” 

Fifteen  thousand  southern  Indian  warriors,  and,  perhaps, 
double  that  number  from  the  northern  tribes,  for  more  than 
ten  years,  retarded  the  growth  and  prevented  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  early  settlements  of  Tennessee.  That  they 
were  not  able  wholly  to  exterminate  the  pioneers,  as  they 
successively  arrived  in  the  West,  ceases  now  to  be  a subject 
of  wonder.  A like  spirit  of  daring  enterprise  and  chival- 
rous adventure,  continues  to  be  a characteristic  of  Tennes- 
see. Wherever  danger  is  to  be  encountered,  a difficulty  to  be 
overcome,  or  an  achievement  to  be  wrought,  her  young  men 
are  there  to  brave,  encounter  and  achieve".  The  same  enter- 
prising spirit  is  yet  sending  out  her  young  men  from  home  in 
32 


498 


A VICTIM  OF  WESTERN  ADVENTURE. 


search  of  adventure  across  the  Sierra  Mad  re,  the  Sierra  Ne- 
vada, and  to  the  coast  of  the  Pacific.  That  spirit  has  sub- 
dued the  wilderness,  and  made  it,  teeming  with  life  and  fer- 
tility, the  abode  of  civilized  man.  That  spirit  will  not  be 
quelled  while  there  is  a new  country  to  be  gained,  or  an  in- 
ferior race  to  be  conquered.  Anglo-American  enterprise 
and  Anglo-American  valour,  are  destined  to  subdue  and  oc- 
cupy all  North  America.* 

* At  the  moment  this  eulogy,  well  deserved — not  overwrought — nordictated  by 
partiality,  is  being  written,  a parents  heart  is  pierced  with  an  immedicable  wound, 
and  still  bleeds  from  the  recent  intelligence,  that  he  is  himself  a principal  victim  of 
the  fearless  enterprise  and  hardihood,  which  the  province  of  an  annalist  has  so  of- 
ten required  him  to  mention.  He  may  not  here  portray  the  bitterness  of  a privato  ! 
grief.  This  is  not  the  place  to  inflict  upon  others  the  poignancy  of  a heavy  domes-  J 
tic  bereavement.  Many  of  bis  readers,  perhaps  most  of  those  in  the  West,  know 
too  well  the  high  expectation,  the  flattering  promise  and  the  gilded  hope,  held  out 
to  their  fond  view,  by  kindred  and  friends,  going  in  voluntary  exile  to  the  far,  the 
remotest  West.  Talents,  virtue,  genius,  admitted  probity,  envied  efficiency,  learn- 
ing, patriotism,  courage,  promise  for  a moment,  success,  distinction,  usefulness  and  ; 
glory.  The  shaft  of  death  reaches  the  generous  adventurer,  and  in  a land  of  stran- 
gers he  finds  a grave.  Blighted  promise,  blasted  expectation  and  ruined  hope — these, 
these  belong,  these  belong  to  the  survivors — only  to  the  survivors ; to  whom,  in  their  j 
affectionate  grief,  another’s  sympathy  and  condolence  have  said  kindly,  and  with 
the  soothing  voice  of  comfort — “ Friends  of  the  sleeper  ! the  gentle  breeze  is  sigh-  j 
ing  a soft  sweet  dirge  over  the  low  resting  place  of  your  loved  and  lost  son,  Wil- 
berforce — the  stars  look  nightly  down  upon  his  grave  in  the  wilds  of  California — 
the  green  turf  is  wet  with  the  dews  of  the  night,  as  if  tendering  their  sympa- 
thies to  the  bereaved.” 

“ Rest  here  in  peace  1 in  the  dark  hour  of  danger 
No  sight  of  the  loved  ones  to  thy  dim  eye  arose. 

Yet  sweet  be  thy  sleep,  tho’  the  land  of  the  stranger 
Doth  cradle  thy  form  in  its  dreamless  repose. 

Green  plains  are  around,  and  the  blue  skies  are  free, 

Where  the  earth-wearied  spirit  is  chainless  and  blest. 

Then  sleep  ! till  a voice  from  above  shall  restore  thee 
To  thine  own  kindred  friends  in  the  mansions  of  rest.” 

“No  GRAVES  ARE  THERE 

Father  1 we  thank  thee  that  there  is  a clime, 

Guarded  alike  from  death,  and  grief,  and  care, 

Untouched  by  time. 

We  praise  thy  name. 

That  from  the  darkness  of  the  tomb 
We  can  look  up  in  faith,  and  humbly  claim 
Our  future  home. 

Hasten  the  day, 

When  passing  death’s  dark  vale  v\ithout  a fear, 

We,  as  we  reach  that  heavenly  home,  may  say 
No  graves  are  here.” 


TREATY  STIPULATIONS. 


499 


By  the  boundaries,  as  stipulated  in  the  treaty  of  Hope- 

( well,  much  of  the  lands  that  had  been  entered  in  the 
1785  ) 7 

( offices  opened  by  the  Act  of  1733,  for  receiving  en- 
tries of  vacant  lands,  was  made  to  be  within  the  Indian  ter- 
ritory. The  intruders  were  to  be  punished  by  the  Indians  as 
they  might  think  proper.  An  exception  was  made  in  favour 
of  the  inhabitants  south  of  French  Broad  and  Holston,  who, 
as  well  as  the  Cherokee's,  were  to  abide  by  the  decision  of 
Congress ‘on  their  case.  The  subject  of  boundaries  gave 
great  offence — not  to  the.  settlers  only,  but  to  all  the  South- 
ern States.  It  was  considered,  that  too  much  had  been  given 
up  for  the  purpose  of  conciliating  the  Cherokees.  The  boun- 
daries of  the  settlements  were  greatly  contracted,  and  a 
large  extent  of  country  surrendered,  which  had  heretofore 
been  included  in  the  treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix,  and  in  the  pur- 
chase of  Transylvania  by  Henderson  and  Company.  The 
treaty  encountered  opposition  for  other  reasons.  William 
Blount,  who,  as  has  been  shewed,  entered  his  protest  on  the 
treaty-ground,  as  agent  of  the  State  of  North-Carolina,  was 
at  that  time  a member  of  Congress,  and  determined  to  carry 
his  opposition  to  the  treaty  into  the  Federal  Legislature.  He 
contended  against  it,  as  violative  of  the  sovereignty  of  his 
state,  as  he  considered  it  beyond  the  legitimate  power  of 
Congress,  to  make  a treaty  in  contravention  of  the  Laws  and 
Constitution  of  North-Carolina,  concerning  lands  and  boun- 
daries within  her  ancient  and  acknowledged  limits.  The 
Articles  of  Confederation,  as  he  contended,  had  not  given 
such  power  to  Congress.  The,  occupants  of  the  lands  thus 
retroceded,  paid  no  regard  to  the  boundaries  thus  circum- 
scribed. But  the  appearance  of  a treaty  concession  may 
have  appeased  Cherokee  hostility  in  some  degree.  Aggres- 
sions from  that  tribe,  during  the  succeeding  year,  were  less 
frequent  and  less  aggravated,  especially  on  the  east  of  the 
Cumberland  Mountains.  West  of  them  some  mischief  was 
done  to  the  white  settlements,  but  principally  under  the  in- 
stigation of  the  Creeks,  who  for  five  or  six  years  had  been 
waging  a cruel  war  against  the  Georgians.  Their  most 
northern  towns  were  in  close  proximity  with  the  Cherokee 
villages,  on  the  Tennessee  River,  and  they  occasionally  se> 


500 


ROAD  LAID  OFF  TO  CUMBERLAND 


ducecl  the  disaffected  of  the  latter  tribe,  to  join  their  ma- 
rauding parties  against  the  Cumberland  settlements. 

The  General  Assembly  of  North-Carolina,  at  its  Novem- 
ber session  of  this  year,  taking  notice  of  the  exposed  condi- 
tion of  the  inhabitants  of  Davidson  county,  adopted  mea- 
sures for  their  protection  and  defence.  At  the  instance  of 
Captain  Robertson,  then  a representative  of  the  county,  it 
was  enacted  that  three  hundred  men  should  be  embodied  for 
the  protection  of  the  Cumberland  settlements.  That  when 
assembled  at  the  lower  end  of  Clinch  Mountain,  the  troops 
should  cut  and  clear  a road  from  that  point  by  the  most  eli- 
gible route  to  Nashville,  making  the  same  at  least  ten  feet 
wide,  and  fit  for  the  passage  of  wagons  and  carts.  The 
troops  were  to  be  marched  from  time  to  time  to  the  Cumber- 
land frontier,  and  were  to  be  stationed  at  such  places,  and 
disposed  of  and  proportioned  in  such  numbers,  as  the  field 
officers  of  Davidson  county  might  direct,  or  consider  most 
conducive  to  the  intimidation  of  the  Indians,  and  the  pre- 
vention of  their  hostile  incursions.  The  commanding  officer 
of  these  troops  was,  moreover,  invested  with  the  power,  when 
the  emergency  rendered  it  necessary,  to  make  such  other  dis- 
position of  them  as  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants  might  de- 
mand. 

The  same  act  also  provided  that  four  hundred  acres  of 
land  should  be  laid  off  for  each  private,  in  full  satisfaction  of 
the  half  of  his  first  year’s  pay,  and  in  the  same  proportion 
for  his  further  service.  To  the  officers  of  this  troop,  a propor- 
tionate allowance  in  land  was  also  made,  for  the  pay  to 
which  they  were  entitled.  Such  lands  to  be  located  west  of 
Cumberland  Mountain. 

In  strict  accordance  with  the  policy  invariably  pursued, 
when  disbursements  were  to  be  made  by  North-Carolina  for 
the  benefit  of  her  western  possessions,  this  indispensable 
clause  was  inserted,  “ that  the  monies  arising  from  the  tax 
of  lands  west  of  the  Apalachian  Mountains,  should  be  ap- 
propriated to  the  purpose  of  discharging  the  expense  of  rais- 
ing, clothing,  arming  and  supporting  the  troops  to  be  em- 
bodied in  pursuance  of  this  act.”  And,  as  a clear  intimation 
of  the  future  policy  of  the  Legislature  upon  all  similar  sub- 


BY  CRAB-ORCHARD  AND  FLAT  ROCK. 


501 


jects,  the  General  Assembly  further  enacted,  “that  in  all  re- 
turns of  taxable  property,  made  by  receivers  of  lists  and 
clerks  of  courts,  these  officers  should  particularly  specify  the 
lands  situated  west  of  the  Cumberland  Mountain,  that  the 
nett  produce  of  the  revenue  arising  therefrom  may  be  as- 
certained.” Thus  leaving  the  frontier  people  to  infer,  that 
beyond  that  amount,  the  treasury  of  the  parent  state  should 
not  be  held  liable,  for  the  satisfaction  of  debts  incurred  in 
maintaining  and  defending  her  remote  settlements. 

During  this  year,  the  road,  as  directed  in  the  act,  was 
opened,  from  Clinch  River  to  Nashville.  Emigrants  had 
heretofore  reached  Cumberland,  by  the  original  route 
through  the  wilderness  of  Kentucky.  Hereafter  the  route 
was  more  direct  — for  not  only  horsemen,  but  wagons, 
and  immense  numbers  of  the  more  wealthy  people  of  the 
Atlantic  sections,  sought  the  Cumberland  through  the  new 
road,  which  ran  nearly  over  the  same  track  still  pursued  as  the 
stage  road,  by  the  way  of  the  Crab-Orchard,  the  Flat  Rock, 
&c.  The  top  of  the  mountain  is  described  as  being  then, 
a vast  upland  prairie,  covered  with  a most  luxuriant 
growth  of  native  grasses,  pastured  over  as  far  as  the  eye 
could  see,  with  numerous  herds  of  deer,  elk  and  buffalo, 
gamboling  in  playful  security  over  these  secluded  plains, 
scarcely  disturbed  in  their  desert  wilds  at  the  approach  of 
man,  and  exhibiting  little  alarm  at  the  explosion  of  his 
rifle  or  fright  at  the  victim  falling  before  its  deadly  aim. 
The  frowning  cliffs  and  precipices,  that  every  where  surroun- 
ded the  mountain,  and  the  dark  laurel  thickets,  that  ob- 
structed the  entrances  and  ascent  to  its  summit  level,  had 
hitherto,  excluded  even  the  hunter  and  Indian  from  an  easy 
access  to  it  in  pursuit  of  game  ; and  the  boundless  natural 
meadow,  with  its  lofty  enclosures  of  granite,  erected  by  Om- 
nipotent masonry,  presented  to  the  first  intruders,  the  aspect 
of  primeval  solitude,  quiet  and  security.  This  aspect  it  wore 
no  longer.  The  mural  escarpment  and  the  mountain  water- 
fall, yielded  to  the  energy  of  the  troop  and  the  guard.  Na- 
ture doffed  her  power,  her  beauty,  and  her  dominion,  and 
succumbed  to  the  reign  of  art  and  civilization. 

At  the  same  session  of  the  North- Carolina  Legislature, 


502 


SUMNER  COUNTY  LAID  OFF. 


Davidson  county  was  divided,  and  a new  county  established. 
As  further  evidence  of  the  martial  spirit  of  the  time,  and  in 
testimony  of  the  respect  and  gratitude  of  his  countrymen,  the 
name  Sumner  was  given  to  the  new  county,  in  honour  of 
the  military  services  of  General  Jethro  Sumner,  of  the  North- 
Carolina  line.  During  the  whole  of  the  Revolutionary  war, 
he  had  continued  in  the  service  of  the  country;  acted  a dis- 
tinguished part  in  the  greater  number  of  the  hottest  actions 
which  had  taken  place  in  that  struggle,  and  was  as  eminent 
for  personal  valour,  as  for  equanimity  and  suavity  of  manners. 
His  name  is  precious  in  the  estimation  of  his  countrymen  ; 
it  is  engraven  on  their  hearts  in  characters  of  imperishable 
duration.* 

Records  of  Sumner  Court — April  Term,  1 787. 

Agreeable  to  an  act  of  Assembly,  for  the  establishment  of  Sumner 
County  Court,  at  the  house  of  John  Hamilton,  on  the  second  Monday 
in  April,  1787,  Daniel  Smith,  Isaac  Lindsey,  David  Wilson,  John 
Harden,  Joseph  Keyhandall,  William  Hale  and  George  Winchester, 
Esqrs.,  -who  each  of  them  took  the  oath  for  their  qualification  of  office, 
and  also  the  oath  of  office  of  Justices  of  the  Peace,  for  said  county,  and 
proceeded  to  business. 

David  Shelby,  is  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  said  county.  John 
Harden,  Jun.,  is  appointed  Sheriff.  Isaac  Lindsey,  is  appointed  Ran- 
ger. 

The  General  Assembly  of  North-Carolina  met,  this  year, 

^ at  Tarborough.  The  members  of  that  body  from  Da- 
( vidson  county,  were  James  Robertson  and  David 
Hays.  The  delegation  from  the  two  counties  made  a solemn 
statement,  in  writing,  of  the  sufferings  of  their  constituents. 
In  its  preparation,  they  received  the  assistance  of  Col.  Wil- 
liam Blount,  who  became,  afterwards,  more  closely  identified 
with  the  people  and  fortunes  of  Tennessee.  In  the  paper 
thus  prepared  and  submitted  to  the  Assembly,  it  was  repre- 
sented : 

“ That  the  inhabitants  of  the  western  country  were  greatly  distressed 
by  a constant  war  that  was  carried  on  against  them,  by  parties  of  the 
Creeks  and  Cherokees,  and  some  of  the  western  Indians  ; that  some  of 
their  horses  were  daily  carried  off  secretly  or  by  force,  and  that  the.ir 
own  lives  were  in  danger  whenever  they  lost  sight  of  a station  or  stock- 
ade ; that  in  the  course  of  the  present  year,  thirty-three  of  their  fellow 


* Haywood. 


PETITION  TO  ASSEMBLY. 


503 


citizens  had  been  killed  by  those  Indians,  a list  of  whose  names  they 
annexed,  and  as  many  more  had  been  wounded  ; that  by  original  letters 
or  Talks,  from  the  Chickasaw  nation,  which  they  submitted  to  the  in- 
spection of  the  Assembly,  it  appeared  that  they  were  jealous  or  uneasy, 
lest  encroachments  should  be  made  on  their  hunting  grounds ; and  that 
unless  some  assurances  were  given  them,  that  their  lands  should  not  be 
located,  there  was  reason  to  apprehend,  that  they  shortly  would  be  as 
hostile  as  the  Creeks  and  Cherokees  ; that  these  counties  have  been 
settled  at  great  expense  and  personal  danger  to  the  memorialists  and  their 
constituents,  and  that,  by  such  settlements,  the  adjacent  lands  had 
greatly  increased  in  value,  by  which  means  the  public  has  been  enabled  to 
sink  a considerable  part  of  the  domestic  debt.  They  and  their  constituents, 
they  say,  have  cheerfully  endured  the  almost  unconquerable  difficulties 
in  settling  the  western  country,  in  full  confidence  that  they  should  be 
enabled  to  send  their  produce  to  market  through  the  rivers  which  water 
the  country ; but  they  now  have  the  mortification,  not  only  to  be  exclu- 
ded from  that  channel  of  commerce  by  a foreign  nation,  but  the  Indians  are 
rendered  more  hostile  through  the  influence  of  that  very  nation,  probably 
with  a view  to  drive  them  from  the  country,  as  they  claim  the  whole  of  the 
soil.  They  call  upon  the  humanity  and  justice  of  the  state,  to  prevent  any 
further  massacres  and  depredations  of  themselves  and  their  constituents, 
and  claim  from  the  Legislature,  that  protection  of  life  and  property,  which 
is  due  to  every  citizen  ; and  they  recommend,  as  the  most  safe  and  con- 
venient means  of  relief,  the  adoption  of  the  resolves  of  Congress,  of  the 
26th  of  October  last.*  This  relief,  they  trust,  will  not  be  refused,  espe- 
cially as  the  United  States  are  pleased  to  interest  themselves  on  this  oc- 
casion, and  are  willing  to  bear  the  expense.” 

At  the  same  session  of  the  Assembly,  at  the  representation 
of  the  members  from  Davidson  and  Sumner,  the  militia  offi- 
cers of  these  counties  were  authorized  to  appoint  two  or 
more  persons  to  examine,  survey  and  mark  out  the  best  and 
most  convenient  way  from  the  lower  end  of  Clinch  Mountain, 
to  the  settlements  of  Cumberland,  and  to  order  out  the  mili- 
tia of  these  counties  to  cut  and  clear  the  road  so  marked. 
The  regiments  of  these  counties  were  ordered  to  be  divided 
into  classes  and  parts  of  classes,  beginning  with  the 
first,  and  so  on,  in  rotation,  till  the  road  should  be  cut.  A 
tax  was  also  to  be  assessed  upon  these  counties,  to  defray 
the  expense  of  opening  the  road.  The  military  duties  of 
guarding  the  settlements,  as  imposed  by  a prior  act,  upon 
the  troop  of  three  hundred  men  as  heretofore  provided  for, 
had  been  too  incessant  and  burthensome  to  allow  them  to 

* That  body  had  recommended  the  cession  of  their  western  lands  by  states 
which  owned  them,  to  the  United  States. 


504 


CURRENCY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


make  a road  sufficient  for  the  purposes  of  the  vast  emigra- 
tion which  was  now  pouring  into  the  country  beyond  the 
wilderness.  One  wider  and  more  level  was  demanded  by 
the  exigencies  of  the  times.  Under  the  provisions  of  this  act, 
a road  was  soon  afterwards  cut  from  Bledsoe’s  Lick  into  the 
Nashville  road  leading  to  Clinch  River  ; and  the  last  men- 
tioned road  was  also  widened  and  cleared. 

It  was  further  provided,  that,  no  person  be  permitted  to  go 
through  Davidson  or  Sumner  county  to  any  Indian  town, 
without  a pass  from  some  officer  duly  authorized  under  the 
United  States,  the  Executive  of  North-Carolina  or  the  field 
officers  of  one  of  said  counties.  The  field  officers  were  fur- 
ther directed  to  raise  militia  guards,  not  exceeding  fifty  men 
each,  when  it  should  be  made  known  to  such  officers  that  a 
number  of  families  were  at  Cumberland  Mountain,  waiting 
for  an  escort  to  conduct  them  to  the  Cumberland  settlements  ; 
the  expense  to  be  paid  by  a poll  tax,  which  the  county 
courts  were  authorized  to  levy  upon  those  counties  respec- 
tively. 

The  currency  of  Franklin  was,  at  this  time,  peltries,  flax 
linen,  &c. — something  that  could  be  worn — that  of  Cum- 
berland was  different — something  that  could  be  eaten. 

UfSA — October  Term — Davidson  County  Records. 

“ Resolved , That  for  the  better  furnishing  of  the  troops  now  coining 
into  the  country  under  command  of  Major  Evans,  with  provisions,  <fcc., 
that  one-fourth  of  the  tax  of  this  county  be  paid  in  corn,  two  fourths  in 
beef,  pork,  bear  meat  and  venison  ; one-eighth  in  salt,  and  one-eighth  in 
money,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  removing  the  provisions  from  the 
place  of  collection  to  the  troops  ; and  that  the  following  places  bo 
appointed  in  each  captain’s  company  for  the  inhabitants  to  deliver  in, 
each,  his  proportion  of  the  above  tax,  viz : [Here  follow  the  several 

stations.]  And  Daniel  Rowan  is  hereby  appointed  to  superintend  the 
collecting  and  removing  the  provisions  aforesaid,  and  that  he  be  allowed 
twenty  dollars  per  month  for  his  services,  and  he  is  hereby  directed  to 
hire  hands  and  horses  at  as  low  a rate  as  possible,  for  the  purpose  of 
removing  the  specifics,  as  aforesaid  ; and  it  is  hereby  resolved,  that  the 
following  species  of  provisions  be  received  at  the  undermentioned  prices, 
viz : Corn,  at  four  shillings  per  bushel;  beef,  at  five  dollars  per  hun- 
dred ; pork,  at  eight  dollars  per  hundred  ; good  bear  meat,  without 
bones,  eight  dollars  per  hundred  wt.;  and  venison  at  ten  shillings  per 
hundred  wt.;  and  salt  at  sixteen  dollars  per  bushel.  And  the  Superin- 
tendent is  hereby  directed  to  call  for  such  proportions  of  the  aforesaid 
tax,  as  the  commanding  officer  of  the  troops  shall  direct,  and  on  any 
person  failing  to  deliver  his  or  their  quotas,  at  the  time  and  place  di- 


MANUFACTURE  OF  SALT  ENCOURAGED. 


505 


rected,  to  give  notice  thereof  to  the  sheriff,  who  is  hereby  directed  to 
distrain  immediately, 

1788 — April  Term.  The  Court  appointed  Robert  Hays,  Anthony 
Hart  and  John  Hunter,  to  inspect  the  currency  now  in  circulation  in 
this  county,  and  such  of  the  bills  as  they  shall  believe  to  be  counterfeit 
to  deface,  so  as  to  prevent  its  further  circulation.” 

By  the  improvements  of  the  roads  through  which  the  new 
country  was  reached,  and  the  security  and  protection  thus 
given  to  the  lives  and  property  of  the  emigrants,  great  ac- 
cessions to  the  strength  of  the  Cumberland  community  were 
constantly  made  thoughout  the  next  succeeding  years. 
Large  numbers  of  families  would  concentrate  on  the  banks 
of  the  Clinch — encamp  there  a few  days,  waiting  the  arri- 
val of  the  guard — accompanied  by  them,  they  would  pass 
through  the  wilderness  with  little  apprehension  of  Indian 
aggression.  The  emigrants  being  well  armed,  would,  with 
the  guard  of  fifty  practiced  woodsmen  and  Indian-fighters, 
constitute  a formidable  corps.  'With  a population  thus  con- 
stantly enlarged  ; their  agricultural  labour  amply  remunera- 
ted by  bountiful  crops,  from  a most  prolific  soil ; with  an 
abatement  of  the  envenomed  hostility  from  the  nearest 
Indian  tribes  ; with  increased  confidence  in  themselves,  and 
with  the  sure  prospect  of  augmented  numbers  and  means  of 
defence,  the  settlers  had  a foretaste  of  a final  triumph,  over 
the  discouragements  and  disasters  that  had  so  long  depressed 
and  enfeebled  them.  They  became  still  more  vigorous  and 
elastic,  and  better  prepared  to  repel  future  savage  aggres- 
sion, and,  in  a short  time  after,  to  carry  on  offensive  war- 
fare against  their  enemies.  The  legislature  passed  an  act 
for  the  encouragement  of  the  making  of  salt  in  Davidson 
county. 

Such  was  the  rapid  increase  of  the  population  of  David- 
son county,  that  for  the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants  resi- 
ding most  remote  from  Nashville,  its  seat  of  justice,  it  was 
found  necessary  again  to  divide  it,  and  form  a new  county, 
called  Tennessee. 

Col.  Robertson  gave  notice,  of  this  date,  by  a publi- 

( cation  in  the  State  Gazette  of  North-Carolina,  Nov. 
1788  < J 

( 28th,  that  “ the  new  road  from  Campbell’s  Sta- 
tion to  Nashville,  was  opened  on  the  25th  September,  and 


50(5 


adair’s  provision  house. 


the  guard  had  attended  at  that  time,  to  escort  sucli  persons 
as  were  ready  to  proceed  to  Nashville;  that  about  sixty 
families  had  gone  on,  amongst  whom  were  the  widow  and 
family  of  the  late  General  Davidson,  and  John  McNairy, 
Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  and  that  on  the  first  day  of 
October  next,  the  guard  would  attend  at  the  same  place  for 
the  same  purpose.” 

The  General  Assembly  of  this  year  made  further  enact- 
1789  $ rnents,  of  a local  character,  for  her  western  counties. 

( They  established  a provision  store  on  the  frontier  of 
Hawkins  county,  at  the  house  of  John  Adair,  for  the  recep- 
tion of  corn,  flour,  pork  and  beef,  for  the  use  of  the  Cumber- 
land guard,  when  called  on  to  escort  and  conduct  emigrating 
families  through  the  wilderness  to  the  Cumberland  settle- 
ments. John  Adair  was  appointed  a Commissioner  for  the 
purchase  of  these  provisions.  In  payment  of  these,  it  was 
made  his  duty  to- give  certificates,  which  should  be  received 
by  the  different  sheriffs  in  the  District  of  Washington,  in 
part  payment  of  the  public  taxes  in  the  counties  of  that 
district,  and  from  them  by  the  State  Treasurer.  A tobacco 
inspection  was  also  established  at  Clarkesville,  upon  the 
Cumberland  River,  below  Nashville. 

Provision  was  also  made  for  such  persons  as  had  been 
wounded  in  the  formation  and  defence  of  the  Cumberland 
settlements.  The  county  courts  were  authorized,  when  per- 
sons thus  wounded,  were  unable  to  pay  the  expenses  of  their 
treatment  and  cure,  to  pass  the  accounts  of  the  physician, 
surgeon  and  nurse  ; and  the  accounts  so  passed,  were  to  be 
received  in  payment  of  any  of  the  public  taxes.  In  a like 
manner,  accounts  were  passed  for  provisions  furnished  to  the 
Indians,  by  any  of  the  inhabitants  on  Cumberland.  The 
courts  were  also  authorized  to  sell  the  several  licks  in  the 
country,  at  which  salt  could  be  manufactured  ; and  all 
deemed  unfit  for  that  purpose,  they  were  to  declare  vacant 
and  liable  to  location  and  entry.  Two  of  the  licks  of  the 
first  description,  with  the  adjoining  land,  were  to  be  retained 
for  the  use  of  Davidson  Academy.  Thus  early,  was  provi- 
sion made  for  the  the  endowment  of  a Literary  Institution 
upon  the  remote  frontier.  The  Assembly  also  enlarged  the 


HERO  DISTRICT  ESTABLISHED. 


507 


powers  and  increased  the  salary  of  the  Judge  of  the  Superior 
Court  of  the  district.  This  district  had  been  laid  off  the 
previous  year,  and  embraced  the  three  Cumberland  counties, 
Davidson,  Sumner  and  Tennessee.  It  was  named  in  the  act, 
Mero  District,  in  honour  of  Don  Estephan  Mero,  Colonel  in 
the  service  of  Spain  and  Governor  of  New-Orleans.  The 
Legislature  had,  in  this  case,  departed  from  the  usage  that 
had  hitherto  governed,  in  giving  names  to  the  civil  subdi- 
visions of  her  western  possessions.  This  innovation  was 
made  at  the  instance  of  the  members  from  the  Cumberland 
counties,  and  no  doubt,  was  in  consonance  with  the  feelings 
of  their  constituents,  who  ragarded  Gov.  Mero  as  their  friend 
and  benefactor.  He  had  extended,  on  several  occasions,  to 
the  western  traders,  commercial  facilities,  and  maintained 
towards  the  western  people,  generally,  a mild  and  concilia- 
tory official  intercourse  with  them,  — thus  reconciling 
them  to  the  Spanish  authorities,  and  securing  to  himself 
their  affectionate  regard. 

An  act  was  passed,  empowering  the  commanding  officers 
of  Washington,  Sullivan,  Greene  and  Hawkins  coun- 
ties, to  erect  a station  on  the  north  side  of  Tennessee 
River,  to  be  garrisoned  for  one  year,  with  a guard  consisting 
of  a captain,  lieutenant  and  ensign,  and  thirty-three  non-com- 
missioned officers  and  privates ; the  men  to  be  raised  by  a 
voluntary  enlistment,  or  an  indiscriminate  draft  from  these 
counties.  The  pay  and  rations  of  the  said  guard  to  be  “pay- 
able out  of  the  funds  arising  from  the  taxes  of  the  said  four 
counties,  and  out  of  no  other  fund  whatever,  provided  the 
price  of  the  ration  shall  not  exceed  one  shilling  per  day.” 
The  right  of  disbanding  the  guard,  is  reserved  to  the  Go- 
vernor, whenever  he  and  his  Council  should  think  proper. 
This  act  was  repealed  at  the  next  session. 

To  promote  the  growth  and  encourage  the  settlements 
upon  Cumberland,  and  facilitate  and  protect  emigration  to 
it,  the  legislature  authorized  a contract  to  be  made  for  ex- 
ploring the  route,  and  making  a wagon  road  through  the 
wilderness  waste  lying  between  those  settlements  and  the 
Holston  counties.  After  this  was  done,  the  legislature  pro- 
vided a guard,  whose  duty  it  was  to  escort  emigrants,  and 


1788 


508 


REMARKABLE  ADVENTURE 


protect  them  from  Indian  attacks,  while  in  the  wilderness. 
A public  provision  store  was  also  continued  at  the  house  of 
John  Adair,  then  residing  a few  miles  north  of  Knoxville. 

As  a further  protection  for  the  Cumberland  settlements,  a 
battalion  of  soldiers  was  authorized  to  be  raised  and  marched 
for  the  purpose  of  repelling  the  marauding  parties  of  Indians, 
which  were  constantly  making  inroads  upon  that  frontier 
A further  duty  of  these  troops,  was  to  complete  a road 
suitable  for  wagons,  on  the  nearest  route  from  the  end  of 
Clinch  Mountain,  through  the  wilderness,  to  Nashville. 

Further  attempts  were  made  to  reach  Cumberland.  This 
year  was  signalized  by  an  adventure  of  Col.  James  Brown, 
a Revolutionary  officer  in  the  North-Carolina  line,  who  was 
now  emigrating  to  Cumberland,  to  enter  into  possession  of 
the  lands  allotted  to  him  for  military  services.  Taking  with 
him  to  the  distant  wilderness,  his  family,  consisting  of  his 
wife,  five  sons,  two  of  whom  were  grown,  and  three  younger, 
four  small  daughters,  together  with  several  negroes,  he  was 
unwilling  to  expose  them  to  the  dangers  of  the  route  through 
Cumberland  Gap,  or  the  more  direct,  but  no  less  unsafe  pas- 
sage, over  the  mountain  ; and,  therefore,  determined  to  de- 
scend the  Tennessee  River,  and  reach  Nashville,  by  ascend- 
ing the  Ohio  and  Cumberland,  to  that  place.  The  boat  was 
built  on  Ilolston,  a short  distance  below  Long  Island.  He 
took  the  precaution  to  fortify  it,  by  placing  oak  plank,  two 
inches  thick,  all  around  above  its  gunwales.  These  were 
perforated  with  port-holes,  at  suitable  distances.  To  these 
measures  of  defence  was  added  a swivel,  placed  in  the  stern. 
Besides  his  two  grown  sons,  James  and  John,  Colonel  Brown 
had  five  other  young  men,  viz  : J.  Bays,  John  Flood,  John 
Gentry,  Wm.  Gentry  and  John  Griffin.  These  were  all  good 
marksmen.  The  emigrants,  adventurers  rather,  embarked 
on  the  fourth  of  May.  On  the  ninth,  the  boat  passed  the 
Chickamauga  towns,  about  daybreak,  and  the  Tuskigagee 
Island  Town,  a little  after  sunrise.  The  head  man,  Cutley 
Otoy,  and  three  other  warriors,  came  on  board  there,  and 
were  kindly  treated.  They  then  returned  to  their  town,  from 
which  they  immediately  dispatched  runners  across  the  moun- 
tain to  Running  Water  Town  and  Nickajack,  to  raise  all  the 


AND  DISASTER  OF  COLONEL  BROWN. 


509 


warriors  they  could  get,  to  ascend  the  river  and  meet  the 
boat.  The  narrative  of  the  capture  of  the  boat,  the  massa- 
cre of  most  of  the  passengers,  and  the  captivity  of  such  as 
survived,  will  be  given  in  the  words  of  the  narrator — the 
youngest  son— -the  late  Colonel  Joseph  Brown,  of  Murray 
county,  Tennessee.*  It  contains  such  a horrid  recital  of  In- 
dian cruelty  and  barbarism  by  the  savage  banditti,  that  so 
long  lay  concealed  in  the  fastnesses  of  Nickajack  and  Run- 
ning Water  Towns — is  withal,  so  truthful  and  minute  in  its 
details  of  the  captivity  and  sufferings  of  one  of  the  prison- 
ers, who  himself  piloted  the  expedition  in  1794,  which  pene- 
trated these  mountain  recesses,  and  extirpated  the  miscreant 
land  pirates  and  murderers  that  infested  them — and  is,  besides, 
now  for  the  first  time  published,  that  no  apology  is  needed 
for  giving  it  entire  without  condensation  or  abridgment : 

“ Only  four  canoes  came,  meeting  us  in  the  current  of  the  river,  which 
at  the  time  was  very  high.  Seven  or  eight  came  up  through  the  bot- 
toms, in  some  ponds,  and  after  the  Indians  in  the  four  first  got  on  board, 
the  other  canoes  came  out  through  the  cane,  and  the  Indians  in  them 
also  came  aboard.  The  first  four  came  two  and  two,  side  by  side,  hold- 
ing up  white  flags,  but  had  their  guns  and  tomahawks  covered  in  the 
bottom  of  their  canoes.  But  as  there  were  forty  men  in  the  four  ca- 
noes, my  father  ordered  them  not  to  come  nigh,  as  there  were  too  many 
of  them.  We  then  wheeled  our  boat,  levelled  our  swivel,  and  had  our 
match  ready  to  sink  their  canoes,  when  they  claimed  protection  under 
the  treaty,  and  said,  by  a man  named  John  Vann,  whom  they  had  got 
to  come  and  talk  for  them,  that  it  was  a peaceable  time,  and  they  only 
wished  to  see  where  we  were  going  to,  and  to  trade  with  us,  if  we  had 
anything  to  trade  on.  My  father  ordered  the  young  men  not  to  fire,  as 
he  was  coming  to  an  Indian  country,  and  did  not  wish  to  break  any 
treaty. 

“ After  they  came  to  us,  they  appeared  friendly,  until  the  other  canoes 
came  around ; and  then  they  began  to  gather  our  property,  and  put  it 
into  their  canoes.  My  father  begged  Vann  not  to  let  them  behave  so, 
and  he  replied,  that  the  head  man  of  the  town  was  gone  from  home,  but 
that  he  would  be  at  home  that  night,  and  would  make  them  give  up 
everything.  He  also  promised  that  one  of  them  should  go  with  us  over 
the  Muscle  Shoals,  and  pilot  us,  as  the  passage  w'as  dangerous  for  boats. 

“Before  they  had  finishedyobbing the  boats,  however,  a dirty  black- 
looking Indian,  with  a sword  in  his  hand,  caught  me  by  the  arm,  and 
was  about  to  kill  me,  when  my  father,  seeing  what  he  was  attempting, 
took  hold  of  him,  and  said,  that  I was  one  of  his  little  boys,  and  that 
he  must  not  interrupt  me.  The  Indian  then  let  me  go,  but  as  soon  as 

*For  this  narrative,  I am  indebted  to  the  kindness  and  politeness  of  General 
Zollicoffer,  of  Nashville. 


510 


TRAGIC  MURDER  OP  BROWN, 


V 


my  father’s  back  was  turned,  struck  him  with  the  sword,  and  cut  his 
head  nearly  half  off.  Another  Indian  then  caught  him,  and  threw  him  j 
overboard.  I saw  him  go  overboard,  but  did  not  know  that  he  was 
struck  with  the  sword  ; it,  .therefore,  astonished  me  to  see  him  sink 
down,  as  I knew  him  to  be  a good  swimmer.  As  this  took  place  in  the 
stern,  and  my  brothers  and  the  other  young  men  were  with  Vann  in  the 
bow,  I went  to  them,  and  told  them  that  ‘ an  Indian  had  thrown  our 
father  overboard,  and  he  was  drowned.’ 

“ Our  boat  was  landed  at  the  upper  end  of  the  town  of  Necojack,  but 
before  it  reached  shore,  an  Indian  wanted  me  to  go  out  of  the  boat  into  I 
a canoe,  which  I refused,  not  dreaming  that  I was  a prisoner.  As  soon 
as  we  landed,  the  same  Indian  brought  an  old  white  man  and  his  wife 
to  me,  who  said  to  me,  ‘ My  boy,  I want  you  to  go  home  with  me.’  I 
enquired  where  he  lived,  and  he  said  his  house  was  about  a mile  out  of 
town.  I told  him  that  I supposed  I could  go  home  with  him  that  night, 
but  that  we  would  continue  our  journey  in  the  morning.  On  his  say- 
ing that  he  was  ready  to  start,  and  wished  me  to  go  with  him,  I men- 
tioned to  one  of  my  brothers  the  old  man’s  wish  that  I should  go  with  “ 
him,  and  told  him  that  I would  return  early  in  the  morning,  to  which  he 
replied,  ‘Very  well.’ 

“ Before  I went,  however,  the  Indians  were  telling  my  brothers  and 
the  other  young  men  of  a certain  house,  in  which  they  could  stay  till 
morning ; after  I had  left  them,  they  were  told  that  there  was  a better 
house  down  toward  the  lower  end  of  the  town,  and  that  a young  man 
would  pilot  them  that  far.  Now  the  town  of  Necojack  was  on  a higher 
bank  than  common,  and  had  only  been  settled  about  three  years  ; thus 
the  banks  were  still  full  of  cane.  When  the  boat  was  about  to  drop 
down  to  the  lower  end  of  the  town,  the  Indians  placed  themselves  behind 
stumps  and  in  the  cane,  and  as  she  floated  down,  they  picked  off  the 
men  with  their  rifles.  Three  of  them  fell,  the  others  ran,  but  were  all 
butchered,  some  with  knives  and  some  with  tomahawks  and  guns. 

“ I had  not  got  half  way  to  the  old  man’s  house,  before  I heard  the 
report  of  the  guns  which  were  killing  my  brothers  and  the  other  young 
men  ; but  thought  it  was  the  noise  of  our  guns,  probably  taken  out  of 
the  boat  to  see  how  they  would  shoot.  I had  been  at  the  old  man’s 
only  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  when  a very  large  corpulent  old  woman 
came  in,  the  sweat  falling  in  big  drops  from  her  face,  who  appeared 
very  angry,  and  told  the  old  white  people  that  they  had  done  very 
wrong  in  taking  me  away,  that  I ought  to  be  killed,  that,  I would  see 
everything,  and  that  I would  soon  be  grown  and  would  guide  an  army 
there  and  have  them  all  cut  off ; in  short,  that  I must  be  killed.  This 
was  said  in  Indian,  so  that  I did  not  understand  it,  nor  what  she 
went  on  to  say,  viz  : that  all  the  rest  were  killed,  and  that  her  son  would 
be  there  directly  and  would  kill  me,  she  knew. 

“ The  old  Irishman,  however,  informed  me  that  my  people  were  all 
slain,  but  added  that  I should  not  be  hurt,  though  the  squaw  bad  just 
told  him  that  her  son  would  kill  me  immediately.  He  then  directed 
me  to  sit  on  the  side  of  the  bed,  and  getting  up  stood  in  the  door  with 
his  face  outward,  talking  all  the  time  to  his  wife  and  the  old  squaw  in  In- 
dian, which  of  course  1 did  not  understand.  In  about  ten  or  fifteen 


AND  PILLAGE  OF  THE  BOATS. 


511 


minutes,  the  old  squaw’s  son  arrived,  sure  enough,  but  had  not  come  up 
the  road,  so  that  the  old  man  did  not  see  him  till  he  reached  the  corner 
of  the  house.  He  asked  at  once  if  there  was  a white  man  within.  The 
old  man  answered  ‘No,’  that  there  was  a ‘bit’ of  a white  boy  in  there  ; 
to  which  the  Indian  replied,  that  he  knew  how  big  I was,  and  that  I 
must  be  killed.  The  old  white  man  plead  for  my  life,  saying  it  was 
a pity  to  kill  women  and  children  ; but  the  Indian  used  the  same  argu- 
ment that  his  mother  had  employed,  i.  e.  that  I would  get  aw'ay,  when 
I grew  up,  and  pilot  an  army  there  and  have  them  all  killed,  and  that  I 
must  be  killed.  This  old  fellow  was  a British  deserter,  who  had  come 
to  America  before  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  had  deserted  several  times, 
and  had  at  length  got  into  the  Cherokee  nation,  having  been  there  about 
eighteen  years.  His  name  was  Thomas  Tunbridge ; he  had  lived  with 
his  wife  about  sixteen  years.  She  wTas  a French  woman,  who  had  been 
taken  by  the  Indiaus  when  a small  girl,  and  grew  up  and  had  children 
to  them,  before  she  had  an  opportunity  of  returning  to  her  people.  Her 
name,  she  said,  was  Polly  Mallett.  She  had  no  children  by  Tunbridge, 
but  it  was  an  Indian  son  of  hers  that  took  me  prisoner  ; he  gave  me  to 
his  mother,  telling  her  that  I was  large  enough  to  help  her  hoe  corn. 
He  had  also  said  that  they  would  kill  the  rest  directly,  and  that  I wyas 
so  large  that  when  they  got  in  a frolic  killing  the  others,  some  of  them 
would  knock  me  over.  When,  therefore,  Cutleotoy  insisted  on  killing 
me,  old  Tunbridge  told  him  that  I was  his  son’s  prisoner,  and  he  was 
still  in  town,  and  that  I must  not  be  killed.  No  greater  insult  could  be 
offered  him,  for  he  was  a great  man  and  did  as  he  pleased  usually  ; 
while  Tunbridge’s  son  was  only  twenty -two  years  old,  and  a perfect ' boy 
in  Cutleotoy’s  estimation.  Incensed  at  this  insult,  he  came  to  Tun- 
bridge, with  his  knife  drawn  and  tomahawk  raised,  and  asked  him  if 
he  was  going  to  be  the  Virginian’s  friend ; in  fact,  he  would  have  killed 
him  instantly,  had  he  admitted  it,  but  Tunbridge  said  ‘ no,’  and  step 
ping  back  from  the  door-sill  into  the  house,  spoke  for  the  first  time  in 
English  : ‘ Take  him  along.’  Cutleotoy,  who  was  a very  large  strong 
Indian,  followed  in  a rage,  and  came  to  me  with  his  knife  and  tomahawk 
both  drawn ; but  the  old  woman  begged  him  not  to  kill  me  in  her 
house,  to  which  he  agreed,  and  catching  me  by  the  hand,  jerked  me  up 
and  out  of  the  house.  Outside  were  ten  of  his  men  surrounding  the 
house  door,  and  one  had  in  his  hand  the  scalp  of  one  of  my  brothers, 
and  another  that  of  the  other  men,  on  a stick.  Some  had  their  guns 
cocked,  and  others  their  knives  and  tomahawks  drawn,  ready  to  put  me 
to  death.  I requested  Tunbridge  to  beg  them  to  let  me  have  one  half 
hour  to  pray,  to  which  he  replied  that  it  was  not  worth  while  ; but  they 
concluded  to  strip  my  clothes  off.  so  as  not  to  bloody  them,  and  while 
they  were  doing  so,  the  old  French  woman  begged  them  not  to  kill  me 
there,  nor  in  the  road  that  she  carried  water  along,  for  the  road  passed 
by  her  spring.  They  answered  that  they  would  take  me  to  Running- 
Water  Town,  as  there  were  no  white  people  there,  and  would  have  a 
frolic  knocking  me  over.  All  this  was  said  in  Indian,  however,  and  I 
knew  nothing  of  what  they  discussed  ; and  as  soon  as  my  clothes  were 
off,  I fell  on  my  knees,  and  cried,  like  the  dying  Stephen,  ‘Lord  Jesus, 
into  thy  hand  I commend  my  spirit,’  expecting  every  moment  to  be 


512 


CAIT1V1TY  OP  BROWN’S  FAMILY. 


my  last.  But  I had  not  been  on  my  knees  more  than  one  minute, 
when  Tunbridge  said,  ‘My  boy,  you  must  get  up  and  go  with  them  ; 
they  will  not  kill  you  here,’  but  told  me  nothing  of  what  they  said  of 
having  a frolic  at  Running  Water  Town. 

“ We  had  not  gone  more  than  seventy  or  eighty  yards,  when  Cut- 
leotoy  stopped  his  men,  and  said  to  them,  that  he  could  not,  and  they 
must  not  kill  me,  as  they  were  his  men,  and  it  would  be  as  bad  for  him, 
as  though  he  himself  had  done  it ; for  that  I was  the  prisoner  of  poor 
Job,  (the  French  woman’s  son,)  who  was  a man  of  war. 

“ ‘Now,’  said  he,  ‘ I have  taken  a negro  woman  out  of  the  boat,  and 
sent  her  by  water  to  where  I live,  and  if  we  kill  this  fellow,  poor  Job 
will  go  and  kill  my  negro,  and  I don’t  want  to  lose  her ; nor  could  all 
■ the  Indians  in  the  nation  keep  him  from  putting  her  to  death.’  Well 
might  he  fear  poor  Job,  for,  although  he  was  only  twenty-two  years 
old,  and  it  had  been  a time  of  peace  since  he  was  a small  boy,  he  had 
taken  the  lives  of  six  white  men.  The  Hopewell  and  Holston  treaties 
bound  them  to  peace,  but  their  young  men  were  away  with  the  Creeks 
and  Shawnees  at  war  ; the  Chickasaws  and  Choctaws  were  exceptions 
to  the  rule,  however. 

“ Now,  when  Cutleotoy  spoke  thus,  the  thought  of  my  being  one 
day  a man,  and  leading  an  army  there,  and  having  them  killed,  had 
given  way  to  avarice,  for  the  old  woman,  as  well  as  her  son,  wanted  the 
service  of  the  negro.  As  I knew  nothing  of  what  they  were  saying,  I 
was  on  my  knees,  trying  to  give  my  soul  to  God,  through  the  merits  of 
the  Saviour,  and  expecting  the  tomahawk  to  sink  into  my  skull  every 
moment.  At  length,  the  favour  given  to  Stephen  in  his  dying  mo- 
ments, came  to  my  mind ; how  he  saw  the  heavens  opened,  and  the 
blessed  Saviour  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God.  I opened  my  eyes, 
and  looking  up,  saw  one  of  the  Indians,  as  they  stood  all  round  me, 
smile ; then,  glancing  my  eyes  round  on  them,  saw  that  all  their  coun- 
tenances were  changed  from  vengeance  and  anger,  to  mildness. 

“ This  gave  me  the  first  gleam  of  hope.  Cutleotoy  then  called  to 
old  Tunbridge  to  come  after  me,  that  he  loved  me,  and  would  not  kill 
me  then,  but  that  he  would  not  make  peace  with  me  then  ; but  if  I 
lived  three  weeks,  he  would  be  back  again  to  make  peace  with  me.  The 
other  Indians,  however,  explained  the  reason  of  this  sudden  love  for  me ; 
that  it  was  the  negro  he  loved  so  much.  The  old  squaw  said,  she  would 
have  some  of  my  hair  any  how,  and  coming  behind  me,  loosed  my  hair, 
(it  was  customary  for  young  people,  then,  to  wear  their  hair  long,)  and 
gathering  a lock  from  the  crown  of  my  head,  with  an  old  dull  knife, 
cut  off  a parcel,  and  kicked  me  in  the  side,  and  called  me  a poor  Vir- 
ginian. That  day  the  old  head-man  of  the  town  had  gone  to  a beloved 
town  sixteen  miles  off,  called  Stecoyee,  south-east  from  Nicojack  Town. 
I understood  that  he  was  much  displeased  with  their  conduct,  for  he 
was  a man  of  fine  mind,  and  boasted  that  he  had  never  stained  his 
knife  in  the  blood  of  a white  man  ; but  he  had  killed  a Shawnee,  when 
that  nation  was  at  war  with  the  Cherokees;  his  name  was  the  Breath; 
he  sent  for  me  the  second  day  after  I was  taken,  and  warned  me  that 
some  of  them  would  kill  me,  if  I was  not  put  into  a family,  with  my 
hair  trimmed  like  an  Indian’s,  and  my  face  painted.  He  also  said  that 


BROWN  IS  DENUDED HIS  EARS  BORED,  ETC. 


513 


as  his  was  one  of  the  strongest  families  in  the  nation,  he  would  receive 
me  into  it,  directing  me  to  call  him  uncle,  and  poor  Job,  brother.  On 
the  same  day,  the  11th  of  May,  1788,  he  bored  holes  in  my  ears,  cut 
off  my  hair,  on,y  leaving  a scalp-lock  on  the  top  of  my  head,  and  ta- 
king off  my  pantaloons,  gave  me  a flap  and  short  shirt,  pulling  open 
the  collar  and  putting  a small  broach  in  my  bosom.  On  the  12th, 
which  was  next  day,  I was  turned  out  to  hoe  corn,  in  the  broiling  sun ; 
by  noon,  all  my  forehead  and  ears,  and  the  back  of  my  head,  aud  my  neck 
and  thighs,  were  all  blistered  with  the  heat;  but  the  Lord  was  good,  and 
when  I was  sick  with  sun-burns,  sent  a good  thunder  cloud,  and  drove  us 
all  out  of  the  field.  The  next  day  it  rained  all  day,  and  the  third  day  I 
was  able  to  go  to  the  field  again ; after  that  there  came  a skin  on  me 
that  stood  everything.  A grand-son  of  the  French  woman  went  every 
where  with  me,  to  let  me  know  who  were  Creeks,  for  they  said  that  if 
the  Creeks  caught  me  out  by  myself,  they  might  kill  me ; I was  also 
cautioned  not  to  look  at  a Cherokee,  because  it  made  an  Indian  angry 
to  look  at  him.  I had  never  seen  any  Indians  before,  so  that  every 
movement  they  made  was  strange  to  me.  About  three  weeks  after  I 
was  taken,  I was  going  to  the  spring  for  water,  and  saw  several  Indians 
sitting  about  there.  The  little  boy  seemed  alarmed,  and  I knew  that 
it  was  on  my  account,  for  he  said  they  were  Creeks  ; but  after  looking 
again  he  pronounced  them  Cherokees,  saying  he  knew  some  of  them. 
My  fears  being  removed,  I went  on,  and  his  being  a small  tin  bucket,  I 
dipped  it  full  first,  and  handed  it  up  the  bank  to  him,  and,  never  look- 
ing at  the  Indians,  dipped  up  my  bucket  full.  Just  as  I climbed  up 
the  bank,  two  of  them  jumped  on  their  horses  and  came  galloping 
across  the  branch  which  ran  from  the  spring.  As  they  came  along,  I 
stole  a glance  at  one  of  them ; he  had  one  side  of  his  head  painted 
red  and  the  other  black,  and  a scalp  on  his  breast.  Jumping  off  his 
horse,  he  struck  me  with  the  butt-end  of  a white-oak  stick,  about  an 
inch  in  diameter  and  four  feet  long,  on  the  side  of  the  head.  He  was 
so  near  me  that  he  did  not  hurt  me  much,  but  the  second  time,  he  was 
farther  off,  and  that  staggered  me  very  much.  He  and  his  party  con- 
sisting of  five  others,  had  been  away  with  the  Shawnees  and  northern 
Indians,  at  war,  and  they  had  heard  that  war  had  broken  out  at  home, 
and  as  they  were  coming  home  they  determined  to  come  by  the  Hol- 
ston  settlements  and  steal  some  horses  ; they  found  two  little  boys,  one 
morning,  feeding  some  cows,  and  having  killed  the  little  fellows,  were 
pursued  by  the  whites,  who  killed  three  of  them,  while  they  were  cross- 
ing the  Tennessee  River.  The  anger  excited  by  this  occurrence,  caused 
him,  on  seeing  me,  to  strike  me,  thinking,  as  he  said,  that  he  would 
knock  me  down  and  beat  me  as  long  as  he  thought  he  could  without 
killing  me.  I do  not  suppose  he  would  have  cared  if  I had  died. 

“During  that  whole  summer  there  was  war,  with  frequent  alarms  of 
white  people  coming,  and  at  one  time  a Col.  Martin  got  to  Chattanooga, 
within  twenty  miles  of  where  I lived ; but  the  Indians  killed  three  of 
his  captains,  and  he  only  killed  one  Shawnee  and  one  negro.  No  Che- 
rokees were  killed,  but  they  raised  an  army  of  three  thousand  men,  bor- 
rowed one  thousand  Creeks,  to  go  with  fifteen  hundred  Cherokees  on 
33 


514 


MEETING  OF  BROWN  WITH  HIS  CAPTIVE  SISTER. 


foot,  ancl  five  hundred  mounted  Cherokees,  many  of  whom  were  lialf- 
hreeds,  and  dressed  like  white  men  ; they  kept  them  ahead  of  the  army, 
and  white  men  who  met  them  thought  them  a scouting  party  of  whites, 
and  were  by  this  scheme  readily  taken  prisoner's,  when  they  would  be 
kept  until  it  was  convenient  to  kill  them  without  giving  alarm.  Several 
men  were  taken  in  this  way  the  day  they  got  to  Gillespie’s  Fort.  Their 
object  in  raising  the  army  was  to  drive  all  the  whites  from  the  south 
side  of  French  Broad,  on  the  pretext  that  the  Indians  who  sold  land  on 
the  south  side  of  that  river,  were  not  authorized  to  do  so  by  the  nation; 
but  finding  only  one  man  in  the  fort,  Captain  William  Gillespie,  they 
plundered  it,  and  got  so  much  booty  from  it  and  the  surrounding  farms, 
as  sufficed,  together  with  their  twenty-seven  prisoners,  taken  without 
the  loss  of  a single  man,  to  induce  them  to  return  home,  and  that  with 
great  triumph. 

“Most  of  us  at  Necojack  Town,  now  moved  off  for  the  winter;  old 
Tunbridge  went  down  to  Crow  Town,  thirty  miles  below  Necojack  Town ; 
and  one  of  the  prisoners,  Major  Glass’s  wife,  was  purchased  from  the 
Indians  who  owned  her,  by  Moses  Price,  who  lived  about  half  a mile 
from  us,  opposite  the  head  of  Crow  Island,  at  an  old  crossing  place  of 
the  Creeks,  where  the  river  could  be  forded  nearly  across. 

“ Price  went  to  Pensacola  for  goods,  and  left  Richard  Findelston  and 
two  negro  men  with  Mrs.  Glass,  to  take  care  of  his  stock.  One  day,  while 
Findelston  was  away  from  home,  a large  Creek  Indian  came  by  and 
seized  Mrs.  Glass’s  sucking  child  ; the  negro  dared  not  interfere,  for  the 
Indian  would  have  killed  him  instantly.  He  ran  to  our  house  to  give 
the  alarm,  and  said  that  he  had  left  them  at  the  door.  Old  Tunbridge 
went  at  once,  but  only  in  a walk,  and  when  he  got  there,  they  were 
about  eighty  yards  from  the  house,  on  the  Creek  path,  the  Indian  hold- 
ing the  child,  and  its  mother  still  hanging  to  it.  The  old  man  made 
him  release  the  child,  and  brought  it  and  its  mother  home  with  him, 
and  kept  them  there  some  time.  It  was  but  a few  weeks,  however,  that 
we  got  information  that  Gov.  Sevier  had  taken  a town  on  the  waters  of 
the  Coosa  River,  and  there  would  be  an  exchange  of  prisoners  shortly. 

In  a few  weeks  more,  sure  enough,  there  was  a runner  sent  after  us  to 
come  to  Running  Water  Town  ; and  when  we  reached  Necojack  Town,  I 
found  there  the  Indian  who  had  my  little  sister,  having  just  returned 
from  his  winter’s  hunt,  bringing  his  wife  and  my  little  sister.  The  old 
squaw  seemed  to  think  as  much  of  her  as  though  she  had  been  her  own 
child.  The  little  girl  was  stripped  of  all  her  finery,  it  is  true,  but  she 
was  only  five  years  old,  and  when  I told  her  I was  going  to  take  her  to 
her  own  mother,  she  ran  to  the  old  Indian  woman  and  caught  her  round  I 
the  neck,  so  that  I had  to  take  her  by  force  and  carry  her  twenty  or  ! 

thirty  yards;  then  telling  her  she  should  go  to  see  her  own  mother,  I 
set  her  down  and  led  her  by  the  hand.  My  eldest  sister  was  at  another  1 
place,  a child  of  ten  years  old. 

“ We  got  to  Running  Water  about  three  o’clock,  and  found  that  the 
Head-man  from  the  Upper  Towns  had  come  after  us.  The  old  Head- 
man of  Necojack  grumbled  at  giving  us  up,  as  we,  who  were  taken  out 
of  the  boat,  had  come  from  North-Carolina,  and  did  not  belong  to  Hol- 
ston  settlement.  The  old  Indian  who  had  come  for  us,  said  that  was 


THEY  ARE  EXCHANGED  AND  RESTORED. 


515 


all  true,  but  that  Littlejohn  (their  name  for  Gov.  Sevier)  was  so  mean 
and  ugly  that  he  could  do  nothing  with  him.  This  word  ugly  is  their 
hardest  term  of  abuse.  He  went  on  to  say  that  “Little  John”  declared 
he  would  not  let  one  of  their  people  free,  unless  he  got  all  the  whites 
who  were  in  the  nation,  naming  those  taken  from  the  boat  particularly. 
The  next  morning  they  spoke  of  starting,  but  I told  them  I could  not 
go  without  my  sister ; a young  man  was  immediately  started  after  her. 
She  was  thirty  miles  off,  and  the  third  day  the  messenger  returned 
about  ten  o’clock  in  the  morning  without  her,  and  announced  that  the 
man  who  had  her,  would  not  let  her  come  without  pay.  There  was  an 
old  warrior  sitting  by,  his  sword  hanging  on  the  wall,  and  his  horse 
standing  at  a tree  in  the  yard.  He  rose,  and  putting  on  his  sword,  made 
this  short  speech  : ‘I  will  go  and  bring  her,  or  his  head.’  Sure  enough, 
the  next  morning,  here  he  came  with  her ; when  asked  what  the  Indian 
said,  he  replied,  ‘nothing.’  The  next  morning  we  started,  and  in  a few 
days  were  at  Coosawatee,  where  an  exchange  of  prisoners  was  made 
instead  of  at  Swannanoa,  as  at  first  proposed.  This  was  about  the  20th 
of  April,  1789.  At  this  time  my  weight  was  only  eighty  pounds, 
though  I was  in  my  seventeenth  year.” 

After  the  capture  and  plunder  of  the  boat  and  the  mas- 
( sacre  of  the  men,  the  Creek  banditti  started  to  their 
l towns,  having  two  of  the  daughters  of  the  unfortu- 
nate Colonel  Brown — Jane,  aged  ten,  and  Polly,  five — pri- 
soners. These  were  pursued  by  the  Cherokee  braves,  re- 
captured, and  brought  back  to  Nickajack.  The  trader’s  wife 
had  the  humanit}r  to  allow  their  brother  Joseph  to  go  there 
and  see  his  sisters.  From  these,  he  learned  that  the  Creek 
confederates  had  gone  with  his  mother,  his  brother  George, 
a lad  ten  years  old,  and  his  three  small  sisters,  and  much  of 
the  booty  taken  in  the  boat,  in  the  direction  of  their  distant 
homes  on  the  Tallapoosa  River,  and  that  two  of  the  children 
had  been  recaptured  by  the  Cherokees,  as  already  mentioned. 
The  negroes  were  despatched  by  water  to  the  Upper  Chero- 
kee towns.  The  children  remained  in  the  town  where  they 
were  captured,  and  being  adopted  into  several  Indian  fami- 
lies, were  generally  well  treated.  The  usual  menial  offices 
of  savage  life  were  imposed  upon  them,  during  their  captivity 
of  nearly  twelve  months.  They  had  the  melancholy  plea- 
sure of  seeing  one  another.  Occasionally  they  were  threa- 
tened, and  often  had  to  listen  to  accounts  brought  by  war- 
riors, returning  from  their  hostile  excursions,  of  horrid  bar- 
barities and  cruel  murders  inflicted  upon  the  distant  frontier 
These  atrocities,  at  length,  invited  further  invasion  and 


51G 


NOBLE  CONDUCT  OF  m’gILLEVRAY. 


retaliation,  by  the  aggrieved  frontier  men  ; war  was  brought 
to  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  banditti  Indians  themselves, 
which  resulted  in  a Peace  Talk  from  General  Sevier,  and  a 
proposal  of  an  exchange  of  prisoners  followed,  and  the  young 
prisoners  were  restored. 

Mrs.  Brown,  when  hurried  off  by  her  captors,  heard  the 
savage  yells,  that  she  but  too  well  knew,  announced  the 
hard  fate  of  her  sons  and  their  comrades.  To  increase  the 
poignancy  of  her  bereavement,  two  of  her  daughters  were 
snatched  from  her  side,  and  carried  back  to  the  scene  of  the 
calamity  which  had  overwhelmed  her  family.  A single 
source  of  consolation  was  left  to  her — her  two  children — the 
son,  aged  nine,  and  the  daughter,  seven.  These  were  after- 
wards separated  from  her,  and  sent  to  two  neighbouring  vil- 
lages, whilst  she  continued  the  prisoner  and  slave  of  a Creek 
warrior,  and  remained  for  some  time  in  the  condition  of  hope- 
less bondage  and  exile.  By  the  influence  and  assistance  of 
the  wife  of  Durant,  a French  trader,  Mrs.  Brown  contrived 
to  escape  to  the  residence  of  McGillevray,  the  Head-man  of 
the  Creek  nation,  who  generously  ransomed  her  from  her 
savage  owner.  The  daughter  was,  some  time  after,  also 
ransomed,  and  with  Mrs.  Brown,  was  taken  by  Col.  McGillev- 
ray, in  November,  1789,  to  Rock  Landing,  in  Georgia,  and 
restored  to  her  surviving  friends.  McGillevray  was  offered 
compensation  for  the  kind  offices  he  had  performed  in  ransom- 
ing and  restoring  the  captives.  This  was  nobly  declined, 
with  the  further  assurance,  that  he  would  endeavour  to  re- 
cover the  son,  still  in  captivity  in  his  nation.  This  was  at 
length  effected.  We  will  see  more  of  Joseph  Brown  hereafter, 
when,  in  1794,  the  prophecy  was  fulfilled  of  one  of  his  cap- 
tors,  who  said,  “ he  will  soon  be  grown,  and  will  pilot  an 
army  here,  and  have  us  all  cut  off.” 

Few  families  suffered  greater  losses  and  misfortunes,  than 
the  family  of  Mr.  Brown.  The  father,  two  sons,  three  sons- 
in-law,  were  killed  by  the  Indians — one  other  shot  in  his  right 
hand  and  cut  above  his  wrist — another  son,  Joseph,  and 
his  two  sisters,  prisoners  and  in  captivity  nearly  a year — the 
mother  and  another  daughter,  prisoners,  seventeen  months — 
the  former  driven  on  foot  by  the  Creeks  two  hundred  miles, 


GENERAL  MARTIN’S  CAMPAIGN. 


517 


and  not  permitted  to  stop  long  enough  to  take  the  gravel 
from  her  shoes,  and  her  feet  blistered  and  suppurating — a 
younger  son,  a prisoner  five  years. 

During  the  summer  after  this  remarkable  disaster  to 
Brown  and  his  family,  Sevier  invaded  and  chastised  the 
Cherokees,  as  has  been  already  narrated. 

The  Indians  continued  their  attacks  on  the  stations.  In  rapid 
17g8  ( succession,  expresses  were  sent  from  the  frontier  to 
( General  Martin  and  Col.  Kennedy,  representing 
their  exposed  condition,  and  soliciting  succour.  An  army  was 
raised  from  the  upper  counties,  which  rendezvoused  at 
White’s  Fort,  where  Knoxville  now  stands.  Their  number 
was  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  men. 

Col.  Robert  Love  commanded  the  regiment  from  Wash- 
ington county,  Col.  Kennedy  from  Greene,  and  Col.  Doherty 
from  below.  The  army  crossed  Hiwassee  near  the  present 
Calhoun,  and  reached  the  point  where  the  Tennessee  River 
breaks  through  the  Cumberland  Mountain,  and  encamped  in 
an  old  Indian  field.  It  was  supposed  the  Indians  had  taken 
off  their  property  to  a town  six  miles  below.  After  dark, 
Col.  Doherty,  at  the  head  of  fifty  men,  started  with  the  view 
of  surprising  it.  As  soon  as  this  party  reached  the  spur  of 
the  mountain,  they  were  fired  upon,  and  retreated  to  camp. 
The  troops  remained  all  night  with  their  bridles  in  their 
hands.  Next  morning  the  spies,  who  had  gone  forward  to 
reconnoitre,  were  fired  upon,  and  William  Cunningham,  late 
of  Knox  county,  was  wounded.  The  troops  were  immedi- 
ately paraded,  and  riding  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  tied 
their  horses,  and  engaged  with  the  Indians  at  a point  be- 
tween the  bluff  and  the  river.  Captains  Hardin,  Fuller  and 
Gibson,  were  killed.  These  were  buried  in  a large  town 
house,  standing  near  where  the  path  entered  the  mountain. 
After  burying  their  dead  with  all  the  precaution  possible, 
they  set  fire  to  the  town  house  and  burned  it  down  over 
them.  One  of  Col.  Love’s  captains,  Vincent,  was  badly 
wounded,  but  was  put  upon  a horse  litter  and  brought  home, 
and  recovered. 

General  Martin  then  proposed  to  pursue  the  Indians,  but 
his  men  rebelled  and  refused  to  follow  him,  except  about 


518 


gillespie’s  station  taken. 


sixty.  These,  he  thought,  were  inadequate  to  the  undertak- 
ing, and  the  troops  started  home. 

General  Martin’s  troops  had  scarcely  reached  home,  when 
a party  of  Cherokees  and  Creeks,  two  or  three  hundred 
strong,  came  to  Gillespie’s  Station  on  Little  River,  within 
eight  or  ten  miles  from  Knoxville.  They  captured  several 
prisoners,  and  retreated.  General  Sevier  made  a vigorous 
pursuit,  overtook  and  re-captured  the  prisoners.  Some  In- 
dians, also,  were  taken,  who  were  afterwards  exchanged  for 
such  white  captives  as  had  been  carried  into  the  nation. 

“ On  the  21st  of  September,  a large  body  of  the  enemy,  not  less  than 
two  hundred,  attacked  Sherrell’s  Station,  late  in  the  evening.  Sevier 
that  day,  with  forty  horsemen,  was  out  ranging,  and  came  on  the  In- 
dians’ trail,  making  towards  the  inhabitants  ; he  immediately  advanced 
after  them,  and  opportunely  arrived  before  the  fort,  when  the  Indians 
were  carrying  on  a furious  attack.  On  coming  in  view  of  the  place, 
he  drew  up  his  troop  in  close  order,  made  known  his  intention  in  a short 
speech,  that  he  would  relieve  the  garrison,  or  fall  in  the  attempt ; and 
asked  who  was  willing  to  follow  him.  All  gave  an  unanimous  consent, 
and,  at  a given  signal,  made  a charge  on  the  enemy,  as  they  were  busily 
employed  in  setting  fire  to  a barn  and  other  out-buildings.  The  Indians 
gave  way,  and  immediately  retired  from  the  place,  and  the  gallant  little 
band  of  heroes  reached  the  fort,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  besieged.  This 
exploit  was  performed  under  cover  of  the  night,  and,  conformably  to  the 
Governor  of  Frankland’s  usual  good  fortune,  not  a man  of  his  party 
was  hurt. 

“ On  the  ] Yth  of  October,  Gillespie’s  Fort,  (below  the  mouth  of  Little 
River,)  on  Holston,  a little  after  sunrise,  was  attacked  by  about  three 
hundred  Indians,  under  the  command  of  John  Watts.  The  few  men  in 
the  fort  made  a gallant  resistance;  but,  being  overpowered  by  numbers, 
and  their  ammunition  being  expended,  the  Indians  rushed  over  the  walls, 
or  rather,  the  roofs  of  the  cabins  which  made  a part  of  the  fort.  Great 
was  the  horror  of  the  scene  that  then  ensued.  The  best  accounts  say 
our  loss  is  twenty-eight  persons,  mostly  women  and  children,  as  several 
of  the  men  belonging  to  the  fort,  were  abroad  at  the  time. 

“ I am  just  now  informed,  that  one  thousand  Indians  have  crossed  the 
Tennessee  in  two  divisions,  and  that  one  of  them  had  attacked  Major 
Houston’s  Fort,  and  the  other  was  near  Captain  White’s,  on  the  north 
side  of  Holston.  The  whole  of  our  militia  are  under  marching  orders, 
and  Colonel  Kennedy  has  already  set  out  with  those  that  were  first 
ready.”* 

At  the  attack  on  Gillespie’s  Station,  October  15th,  a letter 
of  that  date  was  left,  signed  by  the  Indian  chiefs,  and  ad- 
dressed to 


*F.  C.  State  Gazette. 


HAWKINS  COUNTY  RECORDS. 


519 


Mr.  John  Sevier,  and  Joseph  Martin,  and  to  you,  the  Inhabitants  of 

the  New  State  : 

We  would  wish  to  inform  you  of  the  accident  that  happened  at  Gil- 
lespie’s Fort,  concerning  the  women  and  children  that  were  killed  in  the 
battle.  The  Bloody  Fellow’s  talk  is,  that  he  is  here  now  upon  his  own 
ground.  He  is  not  like  you  are,  for  you  kill  women  and  children,  and 
he  does  not.  He  had  orders  to  do  it,  and  to  order  them  off  the  land, 
and  he  came  and  ordered  them  to  surrender  and  that  they  should  not  be 
hurt,  and  they  would  not,  and  he  stormed  it  and  took  it.  For  you  be- 
guiled the  head-man*  that  was  your  friend,  and  wanted  to  keep  peace, 
but  you  began  it,  ami  this  is  what  you  get  for  it.  When  you  move  off 
the  land,  then  we  will  make  peace,  and  give  up  the  women  and  chil- 
dren ; and  you  must  march  off  in  thirty  days.  Five  thousand  men  is 
our  number. 

Bloody  Fellow. 

Categiskey. 

John  Watts. 

Glass. 

In  Sullivan  county,  there  appears  to  be  an  interregnum 
from  1784  to  March,  1787.  The  records  were,  probably, 
mislaid  or  lost  during  the  Franklin  revolt.  At  that  last  date, 
a Commission,  appointing  justices  of  the  peace,  was  present- 
ed. The  magistrates,  thereby  appointed,  met  at  the  house 
of  Joseph  Cole.  They  resolved,  “that  it  is  the  opinion  and 
judgment  of  the  Court,  that  John  Rhea,  formerly  Clerk  of 
the  Court,  has  not  forfeited  his  office  by  his  absence,  and 
therefore  has  a right  to  continue  Clerk.  In  1788,  John  Vance 
was  Clerk.” 

Among  the  last  legislative  acts  of  North-Carolina,  for 
1189  $ her  western  counties,  was  one  establishing  a town  in 
( the  county  of  Hawkins.  Kogersville  is  the  last  town 
in  Tennessee  established  under  the  dynasty  of  the  mother 
state. 

After  the  fall  of  the  Franklin  Government,  early  in  1788, 
the  people  gradually  gave  in  their  adhesion  to  that  of  the 
parent  state.  On  the  part  of  some,  it  may  have  been  done 
reluctantly.  The  transition,  however,  from  a separate  and 
independent  state,  to  their  former  position  of  a colonial  ap- 
pendage to  North-Carolina,  was  so  gradual  as  to  be  almost 
imperceptible.  It  certainly  produced  no  convulsion,  and  was 
followed  by  no  commotion.  It  was  accompanied  by  no 


* The  Old  Tassel. 


520 


INHABITANTS  RETURN  TO  THEIR  ALLEGIANCE. 


triumphs,  and  attended  with  scarcely  a single  regret.  No 
one  on  the  frontier  has  to  eat  the  bitter  bread  of  political  or 
official  dependence.  Office,  under  either  the  one  regime  or 
the  other,  brought  with  it  little  distinction,  and  conferred  al- 
most no  emolument.  Its  possession  was  seldom  sought  after. 
Its  loss  produced  neither  disappointment  nor  mortification. 
Under  both  systems  of  government  the  people  recognized 
the  same  constitution,  and  were  ruled  almost  by  the  same 
laws.  The  change  of  officers  was  hardly  known.  In  mili- 
tary affairs  it  was  essentially  so.  Upon  the  frontier  the  vo- 
lunteering system  had  always  obtained.  If  an  enemy  was 
to  be  repelled,  or  a campaign  to  be  carried  on,  the  volunteers 
exercised  the  right  of  selecting  their  leader.  Did  he  hold  a 
commission  ? If  he  had  the  confidence  of  his  troops,  he  com- 
manded. Without  this  he  entered  the  ranks  cheerfully,  and 
yielded  the  command  to  a subaltern,  preferred  over  him  and 
chosen  by  the  men.  Many  who,  after  the  first  of  March, 
1788,  became  functi  officiis,  were  soon  after  that  date,  rein- 
vested with  authority  by  the  people  themselves,  and  often 
by  the  aid  of  the  strongest  zealots  for  North-Carolina.  In 
one  section  of  Franklin — that  south  of  French  Broad  and 
west  of  Big  Pigeon — the  functionaries  of  that  government 
continued  in  power,  under  no  other  regulation  than  the  popu- 
lar will,  which  was  sovereign,  supreme,  omnipotent.  Else- 
where, in  all  her  western  counties,  the  jurisdiction  of  North- 
Carolina  was  acknowledged  and  her  authority  obeyed.  Un- 
der her  laws,  elections  of  members  to  her  Legislature  were 
held. 

The  Assembly  met  at  Fayetteville  in -November.  Amongst 
the  laws  passed  at  this  session,  was  one  for  paying  the  mili- 
tia officers  and  soldiers  for  their  services  in  the  campaign, 
carried  on,  as  has  been  heretofore  narrated,  by  Gen.  Martin^ 
against  the  Chickamaugas,  in  the  preceding  year.  By  the 
provisions  of  this  law,  the  pay  rolls  of  the  expedition  were 
to  be  exhibited  under  oath  to  the  Comptroller,  with  the 
names  of  the  officers.  These  were  to  be  examined  by  the 
Comptroller,  who  was  then  to  issue  his  certificate  to  each 
officer  and  soldier.  The  certificate  was  made  receivable  in 
payment  of  the  public  lax  due  in  the  District  of  Washington. 


DISCONTENTS  OP  THE  PEOPLE  REVIVED. 


521 


and  no  other,  until  all  such  certificates  were  paid.  A like 
provision  was  made  to  liquidate  the  accounts  of  the  Commis- 
sary on  this  expedition,  making  certificates  issued  to  him  re- 
ceivable in  payment  of  public  dues.  The  frugality  of  the 
parent  state  was  further  exhibited  at  the  same  session,  by 
repealing  the  law  for  erecting  a garrison  on  the  north  side 
of  the  Tennessee  River.  These  several  enactments  served 
to  revive  the  complaints  and  discontents  of  the  western  peo- 
ple, and  especially  of  those  of  them  in  the  late  Franklin 
counties. 

“They  found  themselves  suddenly  re-attached  to  a country  in  which 
a considerable  portion  of  them  could  perceive  no  affection  for  them- 
selves, nor  any  disposition  to  give  them  protection,  nor  otherwise  actua- 
ted, as  many  believed,  but  by  a desire  to  get  from  the  sale  of  their  lands 
more  certificates  of  public  debt;  and  the  opinion  was  entertained  that 
North-Carolina  could  expose  them  to  the  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife, 
without  feeling  in  tSe  least  for  their  sufferings,  and  without  having  the 
least  inclination  to  prevent  them.  Past  experience,  in  their  judgment, 
had  fully  demonstrated  the  advantages  which  were  to  be  expected  from 
the  renewal  of  their  connexions  with  North-Carolina  ; they  were  to  fight 
for  themselves,  protect  their  own  possessions  and  pay  taxes  ; which,  if 
not  sufficient  for  the  expenses  incurred  in  defending  themselves,  were  to 
be  applied  as  far  as  they  would  go,  and  the  surplus  of  expenses  was  to 
be  left  unsatisfied.  On  the  other  hand,  the  members  of  the  Atlantic 
counties  had  the  near  prospect,  as  they  supposed,  of  becoming  subject 
to  a still  greater  aggravation  of  burthen,  and  this  anticipation  never 
failed  to  recall  a desire  for  separation  ; indeed,  it  seemed  as  if,  at  this 
moment,  there  was  a presentation  to  the  Assembly  of  more  western 
claims  than  had  ever  before  come  forward  at  one  time.  The  Atlantic 
members  laboured  to  find  ways  and  means;  and,  still  more,  to  avoid 
making  contributions  from  the  counties  east  of  the  Alleghanies.  They 
had,  in  the  late  revolt,  been  furnished  with  the  hint,  that  for  very  small 
provocations  as  they  deemed  them,  the  western  counties  would  set  up 
for  independence,  which  it  was  not  in  their  power  to  control.  Ope- 
rated upon  by  these  and  other  motives,  the  Atlantic  counties  came  to 
the  conclusion  to  let  them  separate,  stipulating  for  themselves,  as  the 
price  of  emancipation,  such  terms  as  were  necessary  and  convenient  for 
their  own  people.” 

It  soon  became  evident  that  her  western  counties  were  an 
inconvenient,  and  expensive,  and  troublesome  appendage  to 
North-Carolina,  and  many  on  both  sides  of  the  Alleghanies, 
who  had  more  recently  opposed  the  Franklin  separation,  or 
any  dismemberment  of  the  distant  and  disjoined  sections  of 
the  parent  state,  were  the  first  now  to  make  the  frank  avowal 


522  HER  WESTERN  TERRITORY  CEDED  BY  NORTH-CAROLINA. 

that  it  was  the  policy  of  each,  and  the  interest  of  both,  that 
the  two  communities  should  no  longer  remain  united,  but 
should  at  once  become  separate  and  distinct  political  organi- 
zations. The  Assembly  proceeded  to  mature  a plan  to  sever 
them  forever  asunder,  and  passed  an  “Act  for  the  purpose  of 
ceding  to  the  United  States  of  America,  certain  western  lands 
therein  described.” 

In  conformity  with  one  of  the  provisions  of  the  Act  of 
Cession,  Samuel  Johnston  and  Benjamin  Hawkins,  Senators 
in  Congress  from  North-Carolina,  executed,  on  the  25th  of 
February,  1790,  a Deed  to  the  United  States,  in  the  words  of 
the  Cession  Act. 

On  the  second  of  April,  of  the  same  year,  the  United  States, 
in  Congress  assembled,  by  an  act  made  for  that  special  pur- 
pose, accepted  the  Deed,  and  what  is  now  Tennessee,  ceased 
to  be  a part  of  North-Carolina.  The  separation,  though  once 
resisted  as  unfilial,  disobedient  and  revolutionary,  was  now 
in  accordance  with  the  judgment  and  wishes  of  all — peacea- 
ble, dutiful,  affectionate.  The  Old  North  State  is  yet  held  in 
grateful  remembrance  by  every  emigrant  she  has  sent  to 
Tennessee.  And  there  and  elsewhere,  to  the  farthest  West, 
in  all  their  wanderings  and  migrations,  the  succeeding  gene- 
ration still  cherish,  with  ancestral  pride,  the  name,  and  cha- 
racter, and  worth  of  North-Carolina,  their  mother  state. 


NEGOTIATION  WITH  SPAIN. 


523 


CHAPTER  VI. 

NEGOTIATION  WITH  SPAIN. 

As  early  as  1780,  Spain  had  indicated  a determination  to 
claim  the  country  west  of  the  following  boundary:  “A 
right  line  should  he  drawn  from  the  eastern  angle  of  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  to  Fort  Toulouse,  situated  in  the  country  of 
the  Alibamas  ; from  thence  the  River  Louishatchi  should  be 
ascended,  from  the  mouth  of  which  a right  line  should  be 
drawn  to  the  fort  or  factory  of  Quesnassie  ; from  this  last 
place,  the  course  of  the  River  Euphasee*  is  to  be  followed 
till  it  joins  the  Cherokee  ;f  the  course  of  this  last  river  is  to 
be  pursued  to  the  place  where  it  receives  the  Pelissippi  ;J 
this  last  to  be  followed  to  its  source  ; from  whence  a right 
line  is  to  be  drawn  to  Cumberland  River,  whose  course  is  to 
be  followed  untill  it  falls  into  the  Ohio.” 

And,  on  other  questions  then  arising  between  her  and  the 
United  States,  Spain  declared  : “ The  savages  to  the  west  of 
the  line  described  should  be  free  and  under  the  protection  of 
Spain  ; those  to  the  eastward  should  be  free  and  under  the 
protection  of  the  United  States.” — “The  trade  should  be  free 
to  both  parties.” — “ As  to  the  course  and  navigation  of  the 
Mississippi,  they  follow  with  the  property,  and  they  will 
belong,  therefore,  to  the  nation  to  which  the  two  banks 
belong.” — “ Spain  alone  will  be  the  proprietor  of  the  course 
of  the  Mississippi,  from  the  thirty-first  degree  of  latitude  to 
the  mouth  of  this  river.” 

This  line,  designated  by  Rayneval,  in  his  negotiation  with 
Mr.  Jay,  left,  not  only  the  lands  north  of  the  Ohio  without 
the  limits  of  the  United  States,  but  a part  of  the  country 
now  constituting  the  State  of  Kentucky,  all  of  Tennessee 
west  of  Hiwassee,  Tennessee  and  Clinch  Rivers,  as  above 
delineated,  and  nearly  the  whole  of  Alabama  and  Missis- 


* Hiwassee. 


f Tennessee. 


f Clinch. 


524  PROPOSAL  TO  FORBEAR  THE  USE  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI, 


sippi.  To  this  extraordinary  territorial  pretension,  on  the 
part  of  Spain,  was  added  that  of  the  exclusive  navigation  of 
the  Mississippi  River. 

Soon  after  the  ratification  of  the  definitive  Treaty  of 
$ Peace,  in  178.3,  Congress  turned  their  attention  to 

1784  j . 

( commercial  intercourse  with  foreign  nations,  and  in- 

structed  the  American  Ministers  particularly,  in  any  nego- 
tiation with  Spain,  not  to  relinquish  or  cede,  in  any  event 
whatever,  the  right  of  freely  navigating  the  River  Missis- 
sippi, from  its  source  to  the  ocean.*  Spain,  still  persisting 
in  her  extensive  claims  east  of  that  river  and  to  its  exclusive 
navigation,  appointed,  in  1785,  Don  Diego  Gardoqui  her 
Minister,  to  adjust  the  interfering  claims  of  the  two  nations. 
Mr.  Jay,  then  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs,  was  appointed 
to  treat  with  him  on  the  part  of  the  United  States.  The 
Spanish  Minister  declared  that  the  king,  his  master,  would 
not  permit  any  nation  to  navigate  any  part  of  the  Missis- 
sippi between  the  banks  claimed  by  him.  The  American 
Minister,  on  the  other  hand,  insisted  on  the  right  of  the 
United  States  to  its  free  navigation.  On  a previous  occa- 
sion, while  representing  his  country  in  Europe,  Mr.  Jay  had 
strenuously  contended  for  that  right,  and  urged  the  impor- 
tance of  retaining  it.  Now,  the  negotiation  being  renewed 
at  home,  he  reminded  the  Spanish  Minister  “ that  the  adja- 
cent country  was  filling  fast  with  people,  and  that  the  time 
must  soon  come  when  they  would  not  submit  to  seeing  a fine 
river  flow  before  their  doors,  without  using  it  as  a highway 
to  the  sea,  for  the  transportation  of  their  productions,”  and 
pointed  out  the  wisdom  of  such  a treaty  being  now  formed, 
as  would  not  contain  in  its  stipulations  the  seeds  of  future 
discord.  These  appeals  were  resisted  by  the  Don,  and  he 
still  insisted  that  the  Mississippi  must  be  shut  against  the 
commerce  of  the  western  people  and  of  the  United  States. 

At  a later  period  in  the  negotiation,  Mr.  Jay,  in  a comma- 
^ ( nication  to  Congress,  adds  : “ Circumstanced  as  we 

( are,  I think  it  would  be  expedient  to  agree  that  the 
treaty  should  be  limited  to  twenty-five  or  thirty  years,  and 
that  one  of  its  articles  should  stipulate  that  the  United  States 


* Pitkin. 


EXCITES  INDIGNATION  IN  THE  WEST. 


525 


would  forbear  to  use  the  navigation  of  that  river  below  their 
territories  to  the  ocean.” 

In  support  of  this  concession,  Mr.  Jay  stated  : “ That  the 
navigation  of  the  Mississippi  was  not  at  that  time  very 
important,  and  wotild  not  probably  become  so  in  less  than 
twenty-five  or  thirty  years,  and  that  a forbearance  to  use  it, 
while  it  was  not  wanted,  was  no  great  sacrifice  ; that  Spain 
then  excluded  the  people  of  the  United  States  from  that 
navigation,  and  that  it  could  only  be  acquired  by  war,  for 
which  we  were  not  then  prepared  ; and  that  in  case  of  war, 
France  would  no  doubt  join  Spain.”  A resolution  was  sub- 
mitted to  Congress,  repealing  Mr.  Jay’s  instructions  of  Au- 
gust 25,  1785,  and  directing  him  to  consent  to  an  article, 
stipulating  a forbearance,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States, 
to  use  the  Mississippi  River  for  twenty  years.  In  support  of 
these  resolutions,  the  members  from  New  Hampshire,  Mas- 
sachusetts, Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  New-York,  New  Jer- 
sey and  Pennsylvania,  voted  unanimously  ; while  those  from 
Maryland,  Virginia,  North-Carolina,  South-Carolina  and 
Georgia,  with  equal  unanimity,  voted  against  them. 

These  proceedings  of  Congress,  though  with  closed  doors, 
soon  became  partially  known,  and  excited  great  indignation 
and  alarm  in  Virginia,  and  in  all  the  western  settlements. 
In  November,  1786,  in  consequence  of  a memorial  from  the 
western  inhabitants,  the  Virginia  Assembly  declared  unani- 
mously “that  the  common  right  of  navigating  the  Mississippi, 
was  considered  as  the  bountiful  gift  of  nature  to  the  United 
States  ; that  the  Confederacy,  having  been  formed  on  the  broad 
basis  of  equal  rights  in  every  part  thereof,  and  confided  to  the 
protection  and  guardianship  of  the  whole,  a sacrifice  of  the 
rights  of  any  one  part,  would  be  a flagrant  violation  of  jus- 
tice, and  a direct  contravention  of  the  end  for  which  the 
Federal  Government  was  instituted,  and  an  alarming  inno- 
vation on  the  system  of  the  Union.”  They,  therefore,  in- 
structed their  delegates  “ to  oppose  any  attempt  that  may  be 
made  in  Congress  to  barter  or  surrender  to  any  nation  what- 
ever, the  right  of  the  United  States  to  the  free  and  common 
use  of  the  Mississippi  ; and  to  protest  against  the  same  as  a 
dishonourable  departure  from  the  comprehensive  and  bene- 


526 


THE  NEGOTIATION  CONTINUED. 


volent  feeling,  which  constitutes  the  vital  principle  of  the 
Confederation  ; as  provoking  the  just  resentment  and  re- 
proaches of  our  western  brethren,  whose  essential  rights  and 
interests  would  be  thereby  sacrificed  and  sold  ; and  as  tend- 
ing to  undermine  our  repose,  our  prosperity,  and  our  Union 
itself.” 

After  the  instructions  of  Mr.  Jay,  as  already  mentioned, 
were  rescinded  by  the  seven  Northern  States,  negotiations 
were  renewed,  but  without  effect.  The  Spanish  Minister 
still  refused  to  admit  the  United  States  to  any  share  in  the 
navigation  of  the  river,  below  the  boundaries  claimed  by  his 
monarch,  on  any  terms  and  conditions  whatever. 

All  further  negotiation  with  Spain  was  referred  to  the  new 
Federal  Government. 

By  the  eighth  article  of  the  treaty  between  Great  Britain 
and  the- United  States,  it  was  provided,  that  the  navigation 
of  the  River  Mississippi,  from  its  source  to  the  ocean,  shall 
forever  remain  free  and  open  to  the  subjects  and  citizens  of 
the  two  powers,  respectively.  The  boundaries  of  Spanish 
Louisiana,  after  the  dismemberment,  comprised  all  the  region 
west  of  the  Mississippi.  It  included,  also,  the  island  of  New- 
Orleans,  on  the  east  side  of  that  river,  and  south  of  the  Ba- 
you Iberville  ; thus  including,  necessarily,  the  mouth  and 
the  river  itself,  with  the  eastern  bank  above  the  Iberville, 
and  both  banks  from  the  Iberville  to  the  Balize.  With 
France,  Spain  had  also  become  involved  in  the  war  in  fa- 
vour of  the  American  Colonies,  and  against  Great  Britain. 
By  the  treaty  of  September,  1783,  on  the  part  of  all  the  bel- 
ligerents, Great  Britain  confirmed  to  Spain,  the  whole  of  the 
Floridas,  south  of  the  thirty-first  degree  of  latitude.  The 
Provinces  of  Louisiana  and  Florida  returned  to  a state  of 
peace  and  prosperity,  under  the  wise  administration  of  Go- 
vernor Mero.  The  river  trade  with  Upper  Louisiana  and 
the  settlements  upon  the  Ohio  and  its  tributaries,  had  become 
active,  and  the  Spanish  dominion  upon  the  Mississippi  ap- 
peared to  be  increasing  continually,  in  importance  and 
powea*. 

In  the  meantime,  the  serious  attention  of  the  Spanish  au- 
thorities was  directed  to  the  growing  influence  of  the  west- 


WESTERN  PEOPLE  PROJECT  AN  INVASION  OF  LOUISIANA.  527 

ern  settlements  of  the  United  States,  which  were  coming  in 
collision  with  their  own.  Georgia  claimed  much  of  the  ter- 
ritory from  Loftus’  Heights,  northwardly,  several  hundred 
miles.  But  this  whole  region  was  in  the  possession  of  Spain, 
with  a population  of  nearly  ten  thousand  souls.  An  active 
trade  from  the  people  on  Holston,  Cumberland,  and  other 
branches  of  the  Ohio,  had  forced  itself  down  the  Mississippi, 
and  they  claimed  the  natural  right  of  the  use  of  this  stream, 
throughout  the  Province  of  Louisiana,  and  to  the  ocean.  On 
the  other  hand,  it  had  become  a matter  of  great  interest  to 
the  Spanish  authorities  to  derive  a large  revenue  from  this 
trade,  by  the  imposition  of  transit  and  port  duties.  For  this 
purpose,  a revenue  office,  with  a suitable  guard,  and  a mili- 
tary post,  was  established  at  New-Madrid  and  other  points, 
at  which  all  boats  were  required  to  land,  and  comply  with 
the  revenue  laws.  These  were  enforced  with  great  rigour,  even 
to  seizure  and  confiscation  of  the  cargo.  It  requires  but  little 
knowledge  ofthe  characterof  the  western  people  to  knowwhat 
effect  these  exactions  and  restrictions  upon  their  trade  would 
produce.  They  believed  they  had  a right  to  navigate  the 
river,  free  from  all  these  impositions  ; that  the  duties  were 
exorbitant,  oppressive  and  unjust.  Under  these  impressions, 
it  is  not  strange,  that  many  of  them  should  resist  the  laws, 
and  disregard  the  attempts  of  the  revenue  officers  to  enforce 
them.  In  this  manner,  it  frequently  happened,  that  the  west- 
ern traders  were  seized,  fined  and  imprisoned,  their  cargoes 
confiscated  as  contraband  or  forfeited,  and  the  owners  or 
supercargoes  discharged,  penniless,  to  find  their  way  home.* 
Occurrences  of  this  kind  had  greatly  incensed  the  western 
people,  and  disseminated  a general  discontent  and  opposi- 
tion. To  such  an  extent  had  this  vindictive  feeling  been  car- 
ried in  Kentucky,  and  upon  the  Cumberland,  that  a milita- 
ry invasion  of  Louisiana  was  devised,  for  redressing  the 
wrongs  of  the  western  people,  and  seizing  the  port  of  New- 
Orleans,  should  the  Federal  Government,  then  negotiating 
on  the  subject,  fail  to  obtain  from  Spain  the  free  navigation 
of  the  Mississippi.  So  general  had  become  this  excitement, 


*Martin,  as  quoted  by  Monette. 


528  GENERAL  WILKINSON^  MISSION  TO  NEW-ORLEANS. 

that  the  Spanish  Governor  became  exceedingly  apprehensive 
of  an  invasion,  to  be  carried  against  Louisiana,  in  defiance 
of  the  Federal  authority.  And  the  western  people  themselves, 
indignant  at  the  failure  of  Congress  to  secure  them  the  free  use 
of  their  only  outlet  to  market,  were  strongly  tempted  to  sepa- 
rate from  the  Atlantic  States,  and  to  form  for  themselves  an 
independent  form  of  government,  which  would  enable  them 
to  obtain  from  Spain,  under  one  form  or  another,  those  com- 
mercial advantages  which  they  were  determined  to  possess.* 
Under  this  condition  of  things,  Col.  Wilkinson  made 
an  arrangement  with  the  Spanish  authorities,  by  which  he 
secured  permission  for  himself  and  a few  others  to  trade 
with  the  city  of  New-Orleans,  and  to  introduce,  free  of  du- 
ties, many  articles  of  western  production.  Some  concession 
was  made  in  favour  of  western  commerce,  and  a slight 
relaxation  of  the  rigour  of  the  revenue  laws  followed. 

During  Col.  Wilkinson’s  stay  at  New-Orleans,  he  was 
requested,  by  Governor  Mero,  to  give  his  sentiments,  freely, 
in  writing,  upon  the  political  interests  of  Spain  and  the 
western  people.  This  he  did  in  a document  of  great  length, 
which  the  Governor  considered  to  be  of  such  importance 
that  it  was  transmitted  to  Madrid  to  be  laid  before  the  King 
of  Spain.  In  this  document,  as  copied  from  Butler,  he  urges 
“the  natural  right  of  the  western  people,  to  follow  the  cur- 
rent of  rivers  flowing  through  their  country,  to  the  sea.  He 
states  the  extent  of  the  country  ; the  richness  of  the  soil — 
abounding  in  and  producing  everything  suited  to  foreign 
markets,  to  which  they  have  no  means  of  conveyance,  should 
the  Mississippi  be  shut  against  them.  He  sets  forth,  also, 
the  advantages  which  Spain  might  derive  from  allowing 
them  the  free  use  of  the  river.  He  mentioned  the  rapid 
increase  of  population  in  the  West,  and  the  eagerness  with 
which  every  individual  looked  forward  to  the  navigation  of 
that  river,  and  described  the  general  abhorrence  with  which 
the  intelligence  had  been  received,  that  Congress  was  about 
to  sacrifice  their  dearest  interests,  by  ceding  to  Spain, 
for  twenty  years,  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  ; and 


*Monette. 


MR.  JAY’S  ADVICE  TO  CONGRESS. 


529 


represents  it  as  a fact,  that  they  were  then  on  the  point  of 
separating,  on  that  account,  from  the  Union.  He  addressed 
himself  to  the  fears  of  the  Governor,  by  an  ominous  dis- 
play of  their  strength  ; and  argues  the  impolicy  of  Spain  in 
being  so  blind  to  her  own  interest  as  to  refuse  them  an  ami- 
cable participation  in  the  navigation  of  the  river,  and  there- 
by forcing  them  into  violent  measures.  He  assures  the 
Spanish  Governor  that,  in  case  of  such  an  alternative,  Great 
Britain  stands  ready,  with  expanded  arms,  to  receive  them 
and  to  assist  their  efforts  to  accomplish  that  object,  and 
quotes  a conversation  of  a member  of  the  British  Parlia- 
ment to  that  effect.  He  states  the  facility  with  which  the 
province  of  Louisiana  might  be  invaded  by  the  united  forces 
of  the  English  and  Americans — the  former  advancing  from 
Canada,  by  the  way  of  the  Illinois,  and  the  latter  from  the 
Ohio;  and,  also,  the  practicability  of  proceeding  from  Louisi- 
ana to  Mexico,  in  a march  of  twenty  days,  and  that,  in  case 
of  such  an  invasion,  Great  Britain  will  aim  at  the  possession 
of  Louisiana  and  New-Orleans,  and  leave  the  navigation  of 
the  river  free  to  the  Americans  ; and  urged,  forcibly,  the 
danger  to  the  Spanish  interests  in  North  America,  with  Great 
Britain  in  possession  of  the  Mississippi,  as  she  was  already 
in  possession  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  the  great  lakes.” 

Mr.  Jay,  on  being  called  upon  by  Congress,  to  communi- 
cate his  views  on  the  subject,  said  that  his  own  opinion  of 
the  justice  and  importance  of  the  claims  advanced  by  the 
United  States,  had  undergone  no  change,  but  that,  under 
present  circumstances,  he  thought  it  would  be  expedient  to 
conclude  a treaty  with  Spain,  limited  to  twenty  or  thirty 
years,  and  for  the  Lfnited  States  to  stipulate  that  during  the 
term  of  the  treaty,  they  would  forbear  to  navigate  the  Mis- 
sissippi below  their  southern  boundary.  Sagacious  as  were, 
generally,  the  views  of  Mr.  Jay,  they  have  been  outstripped, 
in  this  instance,  by  the  growth  of  the  Western  country, 
beyond  the  anticipation  of  our  wisest  statesmen.  Our  pro- 
gress has  been  a race  scarcely  checked  by  an  accident  on 
the  course.*  Had  the  commercial  limitation  taken  place 


34 


* Butler. 


530 


RESOLUTION  OF  CONGRESS. 


but  for  a few  years,  as  then  proposed  by  him,  a flame  would 
have  been  kindled,  that  must  have  consumed  the  feeble  ties 
that  bound  the  eastern  to  the  western  country.  As  it  was,  the 
bare  rumour  of  what  had  been  proposed,  and  the  exaggerated 
statements  of  the  contemplated  surrender  of  a navigation  of 
such  vital  importance  to  the  West,  naturally  aroused  the 
sensibilities  of  its  citizens.  Meetings  were  held  at  different 
places.  One  of  these  represented  “ a commercial  treaty 
with  Spain  to  be  cruel,  oppressive  and  unjust.”  “ The  pro- 
hibition of  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  has  astonished 
the  whole  western  country.  To  sell  us,  and  to  make  us  vas- 
sals to  the  merciless  Spaniards,  is  a grievance  not  to  be 
borne.”  A copy  of  these,  and  of  similar  proceedings,  was 
laid  before  Congress,  and  in  September  of  1788,  that  body 
contradicted  the  rumour,  and  resolved  : “ That  the  free 
navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  is  a clear  and  an  essential 
right  of  the  United  States,  and  that  the  same  ought  to  be 
considered  and  supported  as  such.” 

To  quiet  the  apprehensions  of  her  western  inhabitants,  now 
upon  the  point  of  carrying  into  effect  the  dismemberment  of 
the  parent  state,  and  the  formation  of  the  State  of  Franklin, 
the  delegates  from  North-Carolina,  in  September  of  1788, 
submitted  to  Congress  a resolution,  declaring  that, 

“ Whereas,  many  citizens  of  the  United  States,  who  possess  lands 
on  the  western  waters,  have  expressed  much  uneasiness  from  a report 
that  Congress  are  disposed  to  treat  with  Spain  for  the  surrender  of  their 
claim  to  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  River:  In  order,  therefore,  to 
quiet  the  minds  of  our  fellow-citizens,  by  removing  such  ill-founded  ap- 
prehensions, 

“ Resolved,  That  the  United  States  have  a clear,  absolute  and  unalien- 
able claim  to  the  free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi ; which  claim  is  not 
only  supported  by  the  express  stipulations  of  treaties,  but  by  the  great 
law  of  nature.” 

Virginia,  too,  had  adopted  similar  resolutions.  These  de- 
cided measures  tranquillized,  for  a time,  the  growing  discon- 
tents of  the  western  settlements,  and  prevented  that  aliena- 
tion of  feeling  which,  at  one  time,  led  them  to  repudiate  their 
dependence  upon  their  Atlantic  countrymen,  and  to  look  for- 
ward to  a connexion  of  some  kind  with  their  Spanish  neigh- 
bours. 


MERO’S  POLICY  PARTLY  SUCCESSFUL. 


531 


Colonel  Wilkinson,  in  his  statement  to  the  Spanish  Go- 
vernor, had  artfully  interwoven  appeals,  both  to  the  interests 
and  the  fears  of  Spain.  His  diplomacy  and  address  had 
succeeded  in  convincing  Governor  Mero  of  the  policy  of  con- 
ciliating the  western  people,  and  of  attaching  them  to  the 
Spanish  Government.  For  this  purpose,  he  invited,  by  libe- 
ral grants  of  land,  the  citizens  of  Kentucky  and  Cumberland 
to  emigrate  to  West  Florida.  To  such  as  did  not  wish  to  emi- 
grate, he  relaxed  the  exactions  required  by  the  revenue  laws. 
While  these  conciliatory  measures  were  exerting  a salutary 
influence,  he  adopted  others,  intended  to  promote  a polit- 
ical union  between  the  western  people  and  Upper  Lou- 
isiana. A large  American  settlement  was  projected,  west  of 
the  Mississippi,  and  between  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  and  the 
St.  Francis  River.  To  General  Morgan,  who  was  to  settle 
this  colony,  a large  grant  of  land  was  made.  Here,  soon 
after  his  arrival,  was  laid  off  the  plan  of  a.  magnificent  city, 
which,  in  honour  of  the  Spanish  capital,  was  called  New- 
Madrid.  This  policy  of  gaining  over  the  western  people  to 
an  adherence  to  the  Spanish  interests,  was  not  wholly  unsuc- 
cessful. Many  of  them  had  been  highly  dissatisfied  with  the 
Federal  Government,  which  had  failed  to  secure  them  their 
right  of  free  navigation  ; and  some  were  even  favourably 
impressed  with  a future  union  with  Louisiana.  Butthisfeel- 
ing  was  of  short  duration.  The  repeated  infractions  of  his 
revenue  laws,  were  followed  by  an  order  from  Governor 
Mero  to  the  Intendant,  for  a more  rigorous  enforcement  of 
them.  Seizures,  confiscations,  delays  and  imprisonments,  be- 
came frequent  and  embarrassing  to  the  traders  upon  the  river, 
and  Louisiana  was  again  threatened  with  invasion  from  the 
Ohio.  Hundreds  of  fiery  spirits,  in  Kentucky  and  on  the 
Cumberland,  were  anxious  to  embark  in  the  enterprise.* 
The  western  people  had  long  known,  that  notwithstanding 
her  alliance  with  the  United  States  in  the  war  against  Great 
Britain,  Spain  desired  to  weaken  that  Power  by  separating 
her  American  Colonies  from  her,  more  than  to  assist  the 
new  states  in  their  struggle  for  independence.  So  soon  as 


*Monette. 


532 


DIPLOMACY  AND  INTRIGUE  OF  SPAIN 


that  object  had  been  obtained,  the  Spanish  Government, 
alarmed  at  the  approach  of  the  western  settlements,  and  the 
consequent  dissemination  of  republican  principles  among  the 
colonists  upon  their  border,  adopted  measures  to  restrain 
their  expansion,  and  counteract  their  growth  and  influence ; 
to  check  their  commerce,  to  prevent  the  nearer  approach  of 
a population  that  had  already  manifested,  both  a martial 
spirit,  and  a capacity  to  govern  themselves. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Anglo-American  settlements  had  ex- 
tended far  within  the  line  claimed  by  Spain  ; the  emigrants 
on  Holston,  Cumberland  and  Kentucky,  were  already  form- 
ing themselves  into  organized  communities,  and  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  United  States  was,  by  the  ordinance  of  1787,  ex- 
tended over  the  North-western  Territory.  It  was  clearly  seen 
that  as  Spain  had  not  hitherto  been  able  to  prevent  the  occu- 
pancy of  the  extensive  possessions  she  claimed  in  the  West, 
so  no  means  within  her  control,  could  secure  the  monopoly 
of  navigating  the  Mississippi  River.  What  could  not  be 
done  by  legitimate  means,  was  hereafter  to  be  effected  by 
intrigue.  “From  the  year  1788,  we  may  date  the  settled 
policy  of  Spain,  through  her  diplomatic  and  colonial  author- 
ities, to  endeavour,  by  diplomacy  and  intrigue,  to  acquire  the 
western  portion  of  the  United  States.  The  King  approved 
the  judicious  policy  of  Governor  Mero,  relative  to  the  indul- 
gences extended  to  the  western  people.  The  Court  of 
Madrid  was  warned  of  the  danger  to  be  apprehended  from 
the  increasing  power  of  the  United  States.  Navarro  por- 
trayed, in  strong  colours,  the  ambition  of  the  Federal  Go- 
vernment on  the  subject  of  western  territory,  and  the  thirst 
for  conquest,  which,  he  asserted,  would  be  gratified  only  by 
the  extension  of  their  dominion  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  And 
as  the  only  true  policy  for  Spain  to  pursue,  he  recommended 
the  necessity  of  dismembering  the  Federal  Union,  by  pro- 
curing the  separation  of  the  western  country  from  the  At- 
lantic States.  This  accomplished,  the  danger  to  the  Spanish 
provinces,  from  the  encroachments  of  the  Federal  power, 
would  immediately  cease,  and  Spain  would  be  at  liberty  to 
enter  into  negotiations,  mutually  advantageous  to  Louisiana 
and  the  western  people,  who  were  already  impatient  of  the 


AND  HER  COLONIAL  AUTHORITIES. 


533 


failures  and  delays  of  the  Federal  Government,  to  promote 
their  interests. 

These  suggestions  of  Navarro  were  well  received  at  Court, 
and  formed  the  basis  of  the  subsequent  policy  of  Spain  and 
Louisiana  towards  the  Federal  Government  and  the  western 
people  respectively,  and  were  the  commencement  of  that 
series  of  intrigues  and  vexatious  court  delays,  which  after- 
wards characterized  the  political  relations  of  that  Power 
towards  the  United  States.* 

The  policy  of  Spain  invited  emigrants  into  her  provinces, 
1790  $ and  restored  an  amicable  and  mutually  advantageous 
l trade  between  New-Orleans  and  the  western  settle- 
ments. Still,  jealous}-  of  the  Federal  Power  was  not  allayed, 
and,  indeed,  it  was  much  increased,  by  other  occurrences 
which,  about  this  time,  took  place,  and  greatly  disquieted  the 
Spanish  authorities.  The  difficulties  between  North-Caro- 
lina  and  the  State  of  Franklin  had  been  adjusted,  the  parent 
state  had  ceded  her  western  lands  to  Congress,  and  after  her 
relinquishment  of  sovereignty  over  them,  the  extension  of 
Federal  jurisdiction  over  the  “South-western  Territory”  took 
place.  In  further  support  of  the  claim  to  the  boundaries 
stipulated  for  in  the  treaty  of  1783,  Commissioners  on  the 
part  of  the  United  States,  had  concluded  a treaty  of  peace 
and  limits  with  the  chiefs  of  the  Creek  nation,  which  had 
been  fully  ratified  by  them  in  New-York.  With  the  view  of 
counteracting  the  effects  of  this  treaty,  especially  as  to  boun- 
daries stipulated  in  it,  another  negotiation  was  made  between 
the  same  nation  and  the  Spanish  authorities,  prohibiting  the 
opening  of  the  boundary  as  agreed  upon  and  ratified  in 
New-York.  For  more  than  a year,  the  Creeks  refused  to 
run  the  line,  and  under  the  influence  of  Spanish  emissaries, 
many  of  them  were  induced  to  assume  a hostile  attitude  to 
the  southern  and  south-western  settlements. 

Another  intrigue  to  increase  the  disaffection  of  the  west- 
ern people,  and  alienate  them  from  the  Atlantic  portion  of 
the  Union,  manifested  itself  in  this  year.  The  inexecution 
by  England,  of  the  treaty  of  1783,  left  in  the  possession  of 


* Monette. 


534 


BARON  DB  CARONDELET  SUCCEEDS  MERO. 


that  Power  the  posts  of  Detroit,  Maumee  and  other  points 
south  of  the  lakes,  and  thus  gave  to  her  the.  virtual  control 
of  the  North-western  Territory.  These  forts  had  not  been 
given  up,  according  to  the  stipulations  of  the  treaty,  and 
were  still  held,  probably  with  the  vain  hope  of  availing 
herself  of  a future  contingency,  to  inflict  some  serious  injury 
upon  her  late  enemy,  the  United  States.  Engaged  at  this 
time  in  a war  with  Spain,  England  contemplated  an  invasion 
of  Louisiana,  through  the  Ohio  River.  Doctor  Conolly,  an 
emissary  of  the  Earl  of  Dorchester,  was  despatched  to  the 
West,  to  sound  the  leading  men  of  the  country,  and  was  au- 
thorized to  give  assurances  of  aid  from  Canada,  in  case  of 
an  invasion  of  the  Spanish  possessions  by  the  Western 
people.  A rumor  was  carefully  circulated,  “ that  four  thou- 
sand British  troops  were  in  readiness  to  march  from  Ca- 
nada at  a moment’s  warning.”  These  disclosures  awakened 
suspicion  that  Conolly  was  a British  spy,  and  he  was  con- 
veyed, with  the  utmost  secrecy,  out  of  the  country.  This 
treasonable  conspiracy  had  a few  advocatesin  the  West, but 
with  the  people  generally  it  found  no  favour. 

Baron  de  Carondelet,  who  succeeded  Mero,  this  year, 
1f792  ( as  Governor  and  Intendant  of  Louisiana,  continued 
( the  commercial  privileges  extended  by  his  predeces- 
sor to  the  western  people.  New-Orleans,  and  indeed  the 
whole  Province,  derived  such  advantage  from  this  policy, 
that  a partial  infraction  of  the  revenue  laws  was  not  only 
tolerated  by  the  Minister  of  Finance,  but  was  even  justified 
by  the  King.  To  this  propitiatory  course,  Spain  was  in- 
duced, not  less  by  the  suggestions  of  an  enlarged  and  pro- 
found diplomatic  policy,  than  the  considerations  of  pecuniary 
■^gg  ( and  local  interest.  “France  and  Spain  were  now 
( at  war ; and  French  emissaries  sought,  through  the 
prejudice  that  had  been  roused  against  the  Spaniards  rela- 
tive to  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  to  instigate  an  in- 
vasion of  Louisiana  and  Florida  by  the  people  of  the  United 
States,  and  if  practicable,  even  a separation  of  the  Western 
States,  and  an  alliance  with  Louisiana  under  the  dominion 
and  protection  of  France.”*  To  carry  into  effect  these  pur* 

* Monette. 


M.  GENET  ISSUES  COMMISSIONS. 


535 


poses,  M.  Genet,  the  Minister  of  Republican  France  to  the 
United  States,  issued  commissions  to  several  individuals,  as 
officers  in  the  French  armies,  with  authority  to  raise  troops 
in  the  western  country,  for  the  contemplated  invasion  and 
revolution  of  Lousiana.  The  settlements  upon  the  Cumber- 
land and  Ohio,  were  the  theatre  of  their  principal  operations. 
Here,  it  cannot  be  concealed,  existed  elements  favourable 
to  the  machinations  of  the  indiscreet  and  impulsive  Minis- 
ter. Apart  from  the  occlusion  of  the  mouth  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, and  the  restrictions  imposed  upon  their  commerce  by 
the  policy  of  Spain,  there  was  a spirit  of  undisguised  dissatis- 
faction with  the  delay  and  failure  of  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment to  secure,  by  negotiation,  those  rights,  which  now  the 
West  was  able  to  extort  by  force.  Besides — a fraternal  sym- 
pathy united  them  to  the  people  of  France,  and  the  recol- 
lection of  the  past,  enlisted  their  co-operation  with  the  French 
Republic.  It  is  known  that  many  of  the  best  patriots  on  the 
frontier,  contiguous  to  the  possessions  claimed  by  Spain, 
yielded  for  a time  to  the  seductive  influence  of  these  feelings 
and  prejudices,  and  it  required  all  the  vigilance  and  decision 
of  Washington  to  arrest  the  expedition,  and  restrain  the 
impulsive  western  soldiery  from  an  invasion  of  Louisiana,  an 
alliance  with  France  and  a possible  separation  from  and  dis- 
memberment of  the  Union. 

Apprehensive  of  the  success  of  Genet  and  his  emissaries 
upon  the  Cumberland  and  Ohio,  the  Baron  de  Carondelet 
adopted  every  measure  to  defend  his  province  from  the 
threatened  danger.  His  forts,  as  high  up  the  river  as  New- 
Madrid,  were  reinforced.  As  another  method  of  precau- 
^ | tion,  a treaty  was  concluded  with  the  Chickasaws, 

l securing  the  alliance  of  that  nation,  and  permission 
for  the  establishment  of  a military  post  within  the  present 
boundaries  of  Tennessee,  near  the  mouth  of  Margot  (Wolf) 
River.  For  this  purpose,  the  Chickasaws  ceded  the  fourth 
Bluff,  with  the  view  of  erecting  thereon  a fort,  which  was  to 
be  kept  in  good  repair,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  Louisi- 
ana from  any  invasion  from  the  United  States.  The  fort 
was  called  “Fort  San  Ferdinando  de  Barancas,”  and  stood 


53G 


CARONDELET  RENEWS  THE  INTRIGUE 


upon  the  peninsula  formed  by  the  junction  of  the  Margot 
and  the  Mississippi.* 

So  successful  had  been  the  intrigue  of  M.  Genet,  in  pro- 
^ ( ducing — rather  in  unveiling — a spirit  of  serious  dis- 

I affection  on  the  part  of  the  people  of  the  West  with 
the  Federal  Administration,  that  Governor  Carondelet  took 
measures  to  secure  the  favour  of  the  Western  people  to  an 
alliance  with  Louisiana  under  the  Spanish  monarchy.  He 
went  so  far  as  to  authorize  his  emissary,  Power,  to  promise 
every  thing  desired  by  the  people,  and  to  give  them  assurances 
of  the  readiness  of  the  colonial  government  to  furnish  arms, 
ammunition  and  money,  to  sustain  them  in  the  attempt  to  throw 
off  the  authority  of  the  Federal  Government. 

At  a period  somewhat  later,  promise  was  made  of  grants 
of  land,  to  such  as  would  submit  to  the  Spanish  dominion ; 
while  intimations  were  secretly  disseminated  among  the  un- 
suspecting people,  that  Spain  would  extend  to  them,  as  a 
community,  every  commercial  advantage  and  privilege  which 
could  be  desired,  provided  they  were  disconnected  from  the 
Federal  Government.  The  Spanish  Minister,  resident  in  the 
United  States,  had  declared  unequivocally  to  his  confidential 
correspondents,  that  unless  the  Western  people  would  declare 
themselves  independent  of  the  Federal  Power,  and  establish 
for  themselves  an  independent  form  of  government,  Spain 
never  would  allow  them  the  free  navigation  of  the  Missis- 
sippi ; “ but  upon  these  terms,  he  was  authorized  and  would 
engage  to  open  the  navigation  of  the  river, ” c|-c.  j 

The  first  settlers  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky  received, 
through  the  courtesy  of  the  Spanish  authorities,  many  com- 
mercial privileges,  but  they  were  unwilling  to  submit  to  the 
species  of  vassalage,  implied  by  the  manner  in  which  the 
river  commerce  was  enjoyed.  They  could  not  receive  as 
special  favours,  what  they  claimed  as  common  and  indefeasi- 
ble rights. 

At  length,  Spain,  embarrassed  in  European  wars,  and  still 

* Monette.  This  fort  was  also  called  Echore  Margot,  and  was  defended  by 
eight  pieces  of  eight  pounder  cannon, 
f Butler,  as  quoted  by  Monette. 


TO  SEPARATE  THE  WEST  FROM  THE  ATLANTIC. 


537 


apprehensive  of  invasion  of  her  American  possessions  by 
the  pioneers  of  the  West — whom  all  her  intrigues  had  been 
unable  to  seduce  from  their  allegiance  to  the  Union — inti- 
mated her  willingness  to  negotiate  on  the  points  in  contro- 
versy. Mr.  Pinckney  was  appointed  as  Minister  Plenipo- 
tentiary to  the  Court  of  Madrid,  and  a treaty  was  con- 
cluded and  signed,  on  the  20th  of  October,  1705,  covering 
the  whole  ground  of  controversy  which,  for  more  than  ten 
years,  had  engaged  the  attention  of  both  countries. 

In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  that  treaty,  Mr.  Elli- 
1>797  \ cott,  the  United  States  Commissioner,  was  in  this  year 
( on  the  Mississippi,  in  order  to  run  the  boundary  line 
and  to  receive  the  posts  east  of  it.  Here,  most  unex- 
pectedly, the  territorial  authorities  of  Spain  interposed  ob- 
jections. During  the  delay  consequent  upon  these,  another, 
and  the  last  Spanish  intrigue,  was  detected,  the  object  of 
which  was  to  continue,  to  Spain,  the  possession  of  the  verjr 
territories  she  had  bound  herself  to  relinquish  to  the  United 
States.  A former  emissary,  Mr.  Power,  was  despatched  b}r 
the  Baron  de  Carondelet,  with  proposals  to  the  people  of 
Kentucky  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  Western  country  gene- 
rally, to  withdraw  and  separate  themselves  from  the  Fede- 
ral Union,  and  to  form  an  independent  government,  wholly 
unconnected  with  the  Atlantic  States.  The  danger  of  per- 
mitting the  Federal  troops  to  take  possession  of  the  posts  on 
the  Mississippi  River,  was  pointed  out,  and  an  offer  of  pecu- 
niary assistance,  from  the  royal  treasury  at  New-Orleans,  to 
the  amount  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  was  made  by 
the  Baron,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  the  new  govern- 
ment ; and  the  same  amount  was  to  be  furnished  by  his 
Catholic  Majesty,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  and  maintaining 
the  troops  which,  immediately  after  the  declaration  of  inde- 
pendence, were  to  take  possession  of  Fort  Massac.  Twenty 
field  pieces,  ammunition  and  small  arms,  and  every  neces- 
sary appendage  to  an  efficient  army,  were  also  to  be  placed 
within  the  fort.  His  Catholic  Majesty  engaged,  also,  to 
assist  the  new  government  in  subduing  the  Indian  nations 
south  of  the  Ohio,  and  agreed  to  be  bound,  by  future  treaty, 
to  defend  and  support  it,  in  preserving  its  independence,  and 


538 


TREATY  MADE  AND  BOUNDARY  RUN. 


to  grant  them  a decided  preference,  on  commercial  subjects, 
over  his  Atlantic  connexions.* 

Some  individuals  on  Cumberland  and  in  Kentucky, had  con- 
nived at  the  expedition,  as  proposed  by  Genet,  against  Lou- 
isiana, but  the  Western  people,  having  now  obtained  the 
navigation  of  the  Mississippi  River,  all  their  wishes  were 
gratified,  and  Mr.  Power  received  from  them  little  encour- 
agement, and  no  promise  of  co-operation. 

The  boundary  was  soon  after  run,  and  the  posts  surren- 
dered, as  provided  for  in  the  treaty,  and  the  angry  contro- 
versy which  had,  for  ten  years,  convulsed  the  Western 
country,  was  at  an  end. 

During  that  whole  period  of  political  excitement,  it  is 
worthy  of  remark,  and  highly  creditable  to  the  good  sense 
and  patriotism  of  the  people  of  Tennessee,  that  they  were, 
in  no  case,  seduced  into  an  abandonment  of  their  rights  and 
duty,  nor  of  allegiance  to  their  own  country,  and  fidelity  to 
their  republican  principles.  The  masses  of  them  remained 
true  and  incorruptible.  Isolated  instances  of  individual  de- 
fection, did  occur.  Prominent  and  ambitious  men  were  found 
in  different  sections,  sustained  it  may  be,  by  here  and  there 
a partizan,  not  unwilling  to  elevate  themselves  at  the  immi- 
nent hazard  of  the  welfare  and  permanent  interest  of  the 
country.  Among  these  there  was  little  unanimity,  and  no 
well-digested  concert  of  action.  They  gave  rise,  however, 
for  the  time  being,  to  the  following  parties,  as  enumerated 
by  Monette  : 

I.  In  favour  of  forming  a separate  and  independent  re- 
public, under  no  special  obligation  of  union,  except  as  might 
be  most  advantageous. 

II.  In  favour  of  entering  into  commercial  arrangements 
with  Spain,  and  of  annexing  themselves  to  Louisiana,  with 
all  the  advantages  offered. 

III.  Opposed  to  any  Spanish  connexion,  and  in  favour  of 
forcing  the  free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  by  the  arms  of 
the  United  States,  with  the  invasion  of  Louisiana  and  West 
Florida. 

IY.  In  favour  of  soliciting  Republican  France  to  claim  a 

* Marshall. 


INTEGRITY  OF  WESTERN  SETTLERS. 


539 


retrocession,  or  make  a reconquest  of  Louisiana,  and  to  ex- 
tend her  protection  to  the  western  settlements. 

Y.  The  strongest  party,  however,  was  in  favour  of  new 
independent  state  organizations  in  the  West,  leaving  it  with 
the  Federal  Government  to  regulate  the  Mississippi  and 
boundary  questions  with  Spain. 

To  estimate  properly  the  virtue,  the  patriotism,  the  loyalty 
and  the  republicanism  of  the  western  people,  when,  with  a 
noble  disinterestedness  and  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  the 
Union,  they  resisted  these  artful  and  powerful  appeals  to 
their  sectional  and  local  interests,  let  it  be  remembered,  that 
the  several  communities  to  whom  these  appeals  were  made, 
had  penetrated  through  a vast  wilderness  of  desert  and 
mountain — that  their  own  courage  had  expelled  a savage 
enemy — their  own  rifles  had  achieved  their  conquest — their 
own  enterprise  had  planted  and  defended  their  settlements — 
their  own  efforts  had  made  their  fortunes,  provided  them 
a home,  and  the  benefit  of  a simple,  but  stable  government — 
that  with  little  assistance  from  the  old  states,  almost  none 
from  the  General  Government,  the  wilderness,  under  their 
own  industry  and  culture,  “ blossomed  as  the  rose  and  that 
the  fertile  banks  of  the  navigable  streams  in  the  distant 
vallies,  in  whose  bosoms  they  dwelt,  were  rewarding  with  a 
luxuriant  harvest  of  rich  fruits,  their  own  labour,  upon  their 
own  fields ; that  the  intervention  of  hundreds  of  miles  and 
great  mountain  ranges,  insulated  them  from  the  commerce 
of  their  Atlantic  countrymen,  and  that  for  the  products  of 
the  whole  West,  there  was  but  one  great  outlet  to  the  ocean 
and  to  the  markets  of  the  world — the  Mississippi  River ; and 
that  the  right  of  freely  navigating  that  stream,  though  gua- 
ranteed to  them  as  a result  of  that  Revolution  which  they 
had  assisted  to  effect,  and  of  those  victories  achieved  in  part 
by  their  valour,  was  still  withheld  from  them,  under  the 
vexatious  delay  of  Federal  negotiation.  Under  such  cir- 
cumstances of  admitted  neglect,  disappointed  expectation, 
deferred  hope  and  accumulated  wrong,  to  remain  constant, 
and  faithful,  and  loyal  to  the  Union,  is  alike  a rare  instance, 
and  evidence,  of  all  that  is  heroic  in  forbearance,  lofty  in 
patriotism,  and  majestic  in  national  virtue.  Western  purity 


540 


THE  WEST  REMAINED  UNSEDUCED. 


remained  unseduced  by  the  coquetry  of  monarchical  intrigue, 
and  the  stern  virtue  and  primitive  integrity  of  the  simple- 
hearted  pioneer  and  hunter,  resisted  the  art  and  baffled  the 
designs  of  the  diplomatist  and  the  emissary. 

The  negotiation  on  the  subject  of  boundaries,  and  of  the 
right  of  navigating  the  Mississippi,  extending,  as  it  did, 
through  ten  years,  has  been  thus  presented  in  one  general 
view.  It  will  serve  to  explain  and  illustrate  some  smaller 
incidents,  detailed  on  other  pages,  as  they  took  place,  con- 
nected with  the  early  settlements  of  Tennessee. 


TERRITORY  OF  UNITED  STATES  SOUTH  OF  OHIO  RIVER.  541 


CHAPTER  YII 

TERRITORY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  SOUTH  OF  OHIO  RIVER. 

Having  accepted  the  deed  of  cession  from  North-Carolina,. 
1190  I Congress  soon  after  passed  a law  for  the  government 
l ol  the  “ territory  south-west  of  the  River  Ohio.”  The 
ordinance  itself,  and  the  act  of  Congress  amendatory  of  it, 
passed  August  7,  1789. 

Provision  being  thus  made  for  the  government  of  the  ter- 
ritory, it  remained  for  the  President  to  nominate  suitable 
officers  to  carry  the  Territorial  Government  into  operation. 
Several  gentlemen,  of  acknowledged  capacity  and  worth, 
were  presented  to  President  Washington,  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  Governor.  Patrick  Henry  recommended  to  him  Mr. 
Mason  of  Virginia.  But  there  was  an  obvious. propriety  in 
selecting,  for  this  station,  a citizen  of  the  state  which  had 
ceded  the  territory,  and  who  was  presumed,  on  that  account, 
to  be  familiar  with  the  circumstances  and  interests  con- 
nected with  and  involved  in  the  cession.  William  Blount, 
of  North-Carolina,  received  the  appointment  of  Governor. 
He  has  been  heretofore  mentioned  in  these  pages,  as  the 
vigilant  agent  of  his  state,  and  the  faithful  guardian  of  the 
interests  of  North-Carolina,  at  the  treaty  of  Hopewell.  He 
was  of  an  ancient  English  family,  of  wealth  and  rank, 
which,  at  an  early  day,  emigrated  to  Carolina.  The  name 
is  often  mentioned  in  the  annals  of  that  state  during  the 
Revolution.  Charles,  James  and  Benjamin  Blount,  were  all 
civil  or  military  officers  during  that  period.  William  Blount 
was  one  of  the  deputies  from  North-Carolina  to  the  Conven- 
tion which  formed  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  It 
was  on  this  occasion,  probably,  that  General  Washington, 
the  President  of  the  Convention,  first  became  acquainted 
with  him,  and,  appreciating  his  qualifications  for  the  public 
service,  his  discernment  selected  him  for  the  important  posi- 
tion of  Governor  of  the  new  Territory.  He  was  remarkable 


542 


GOVERNOR  BLOUNT  ARRIVES  IN  THE  TERRITORY, 


for  great  address,  courtly  manners,  benignant  feelings,  and  a 
most  commanding  presence.  His  urbanity — his  personal  in- 
fluence over  men  of  all  conditions  and  ages — his  hospitality, 
unostentatiously,  but  yet  elegantly  and  gracefully  extended 
to  all,  won  upon  the  affections  and  regard  of  the  populace, 
and  made  him  a universal  favourite.  He  was  at  once  the 
social  companion,  the  well-bred  gentleman  and  the  capable 
officer.  He  received  his  commission  as  Governor  of  the 
Territory,  August  7,  1790.  On  the  10th  of  October,  he 
reached  the  theatre  of  his  new  and  important  public  duty  on  j 
the  frontier,  amidst  a people  unacquainted  as  yet  with  the 
forms  and  usages  of  old  and  refined  society,  but  unsurpassed 
any  where  in  all  the  strong  traits  of  character  which  form 
the  man,  the  patriot  and  the  citizen.  At  first,  he  made  his 
residence  at  the  house  of  William  Cobb,  in  the  fork  of  Hol- 
ston  and  Watauga  Rivers,  not  far  from  the  Watauga  Old 
Fields,  where  was  planted,  twenty  years  before,  the  germ  of 
the  future  Tennessee.*  Mr.  Cobb  was  a wealthy  farmer,  an 
emigrant  from  North-Carolina,  no  stranger  to  comfort  and 
taste,  nor  unaccustomed  to  what,  in  that  day,  was  called 
style.  Like  the  old  Carolina  and  Virginia  gentlemen,  he 
entertained  elegantly,  with  profusion  rather  than  with  plenty, 
without  ceremony  and  without  grudging.  Like  theirs,  his 
house  was  plain,  convenient,  without  pretension  or  show. 

His  equipage  was  simple  and  unpretending.  He  kept  his 
horses,  his  dogs,  his  rifles,  even  his  traps,  for  the  use,  comfort 
and  entertainment  of  his  guests.  His  servants,  his  rooms, 
his  grounds,  were  all  at  their  bidding.  They  felt  themselves 
at  home,  and  never  said  adieu  to  him  or  his  family,  without 
the  parting  regret  and  the  tenderness  of  an  old  friendship. 

It  was  here,  and  under  such  circumstances,  that  Governor 
Blount  opened  and  held  his  court  in  the  ancient  woods  of 
old  Sullivan.  The  President  had  associated  with  him,  in  the 
administration  of  the  Territorial  Government,  as  Judges, 
David  Campbell  and  Joseph  Anderson.  The  former  had 
held  a like  position  under  the  State  of  Franklin,  and  subse- 
quently, under  the  authority  of  North-Carolina.  The  latter 


Mss.  famished  by  General  Deery,  then  of  Blountsville. 


AND  ASSUMES  ITS  GOVERNMENT. 


54S 


had  been  an  officer  in  the  Continental  service  during  the 
war  of  the  Revolution. 

Governor  Blount  proceeded  to  appoint  and  commission  the 
officers,  civil  and  military,  for  the  counties  forming  the 
District  of  Washington.  Those  holding  office  under  North- 
Carolina,  generally  continued  to  serve  in  the  same  capacity 
under  the  Territorial  Government  ; a new  commission  and 
a new  oath  of  office  were  required.  The  oath  was  admin- 
istered by  Judge  Campbell,  in  the  presence  of  the  Governor. 
The  names  of  some  of  those  commissioned  by  him  are  here, 
given. 

Washington  County,  Nov.  Term,  1790. — Charles  Robertson,  John 
Campbell,  Edmond  Williams,  John  Chisholm,  Magistrates.  James 
Sevier,  was  appointed  Clerk — a position  he  occupied  under  the 
Franklin  organization,  under  the  authority  of  North-Carolina,  during 
the  Territorial  Government,  and  under  the  State  of  Tennessee  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death  in  1842. 

Sullivan  County. — The  first  Court  was  held  December,  1790,  when 
the  magistrates  commissioned  by  the  Governor  were  sworn  into  office  by 
Judge  Campbell. 

Greene  County,  February  Session,  1791. — Present,  Joseph  Har- 
din, John  Newman,  William  Wilson,  John  McNabb  and  David  Ran- 
kin. Daniel  Kennedy  was  appointed  Clerk — an  office  he  had  also  held 
under  each  of  the  preceding  governments,  and  which  he  retained  many 
years  afterwards.  At  this  session,  David  Allison  and  Wm.  Cocke  were 
admitted  Attorneys. 

Hawkins  County,  Dec.  Term,  1790. — Richard  Mitchell  received  the 
appointment  of  Clerk  from  Governor  Blount. 

The  same  gentleman  also  became,  for  a time,  the  Private 
Secretary  of  the  Governor.  He  yet  (1852)  survives,  in  a 
green  old  age,  an  intelligent  chronicle  of  past  events.  To 
him  is  this  writer  indebted  for’some  of  the  incidents  detailed 
in  these  pages. 

Having  commissioned  the  necessary  officers  in  Washing- 
ton District,  Governor  Blount,  on  the  27th  of  November,  set 
out  for  the  District  of  Mero,  then  composed  of  Davidson, 
Sumner  and  Tennessee  counties,  to  make  similar  appoint- 
ments there. 

The  Governor  had,  in  all  the  counties,  appointed  military 
officers  below  the  grade  of  brigadier-generals.  These  he 
could  not  appoint,  but  recommended  to  the  President,  Col. 
John  Sevier,  as  the  brigadier  for  Washington,  and  Col. 


544 


MAJOR  KING  VISITS  CHEROKEES. 


James  Robertson,  for  Mero  District.  These  appointments 
were  afterwards  confirmed  accordingly. 

In  his  tour,  passing  through  the  Territory  from  one  extreme 
settlement  to  the  other,  Governor  Blount  endeavoured  to 
make  himself  familiar  with  its  condition  and  wants,  so  as  to 
enable  him  the  better  to  discharge  his  official  duties,  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  Government,  and  with  benefit  to  the  people 
His  instructions  from  the  Executive,  were  to  restore  and 
maintain  peaceful  relations  with  the  Indians.  To  effect  this, 
he  had  sent  Major  King  to  the  Cherokee  nation,  with  an  in- 
vitation to  meet  and  hold  a treaty  with  the  whites  the  suc- 
ceeding May.  This  proposition  was  now  more  likely  to  be 
accepted,  as  the  Creeks  had  entered  into  terms  o!  peace  in 
August  of  the  last  year,  at  New- York.  Major  King  found 
the  Cherokees  divided  into  two  parties,  of  which  Hanging 
Maw  was  the  leader  of  the  northern,  as  the  Little  Turkey 
was  of  the  southern  party.  At  the  time  of  his  mission,  Ma- 
jor King  found  each  of  them  disposed  to  negotiate. 

The  settlements  formed  in  the  Territory,  at  the  time  Go- 
vernor Blount  assumed  the  government  of  it,  extended  from 
the  Virginia  line  on  the  east,  in  a peninsular  shape,  southwest 
to  the  waters  of  Little  Tennessee,  a distance  of  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  in  length,  by  a width  no  where 
more  than  fifty,  and  in  some  places  less  than  twenty-five 
miles.  This  narrow  strip  of  inhabited  country,  was  bounded 
on  the  south  by  a constant  succession  of  mountains,  claimed, 
if  not  occupied,  by  the  Indians.  On  the  west,  by  the  Indian 
territory  then  in  their  occupancy  : and  on  the  north  and 
northwest,  by  the  Clinch  and  Cumberland  Mountains.  In- 
deed, the  settled  country  was  confined  to  the  valleys  of  the 
Holston,  the  Nollichucky,  and  the  French  Broad  and  Little 
Rivers  below  the  mountains.  All  the  rest  of  what  is  now 
East  Tennessee,  was  either  covered  over  with  Cherokee 
villages,  or  frequented  by  the  Indians  in  their  hunting  and 
predatory  excursions.  The  white  population  thus  insulated, 
was  quite  small.  It  was  estimated  that  Washington  District 
contained  less  than  thirty  thousand  inhabitants.  Besides 
these,  there  were,  along  the  Cumberland  Valley  and  its 
lower  tributaries,  settlements  still  more  feeble  and  more  ex- 


blount’s  familiarity  with  Indian  affairs. 


545 


posed  to  Indian  assault  and  aggression — entirely  insulated  by 
desert  wilds,  and  dissociated  from  all  contact  with  civil- 
ized neighbours.  Mero  District  contained  about  seven 
thousand  inhabitants ; while  the  four  southern  Indian  tribes 
numbered  above  twenty  thousand  warriors  alone. 

Between  those  two  remote  sections  of  the  Territory,  there 
i^90  y was  no  direct  communication,  either  by  land  or  water. 

( The  rapids  and  shoals  in  the  Tennessee,  and  the 
ascent  of  the  Ohio  and  Cumberland,  was  an  obstacle  to  the 
latter  ; and  the  intervention  of  a wilderness|and  a mountain 
made  the  other  difficult,  if  not  impracticable,  to  any  but  In- 
dian marches. 

At  the  commencement  of  Governor  Blount’s  administra- 
tion, the  Cherokees  resided  upon,  and  many  of  them  within, 
the  boundaries  of  the  Territory,  upon  lands  which  they 
claimed,  but  much  of  which  had  been  granted  by  North-Ca- 
rolina  to  her  citizens,  and  a whole  section  of  which  had  been 
occupied  and  settled  under  the  laws  and  treaties  of  Franklin. 
The  Chickasaws  claimed  also,  but  did  not  reside  upon,  the 
country  between  the  Tennessee  and  Mississippi.  Much  of 
their  claim  was  covered  by  grants  from  North-Carolina,  but 
none  of  it  was  settled.  It  furnished  a hidden  retreat,  and  a 
thoroughfare,  inaccessible  to  the  whites,  through  which  con- 
stant intercommunication  was  had,  between  the  southern  and 
northern  tribes,  and  foreign  emissaries,  who  sought  to  incite 
them  against  the  intervening  American  settlements.  The 
Choctaws  and  Creeks  had  no  valid  claim  to  any  part  of  the 
Territory,  but  each  of  them  had  settled,  and  permitted  Span- 
iards to  reside  in,  their  towns,  near  the  Great  Bend  of  Ten- 
nessee. 

With  the  local  condition  of  these  tribes,  Governor  Blount 
had  been  long  familiar,  as  well  as  with  all  the  circumstances 
by  which  they  were  surrounded,  and  would  continue  to  be 
affected.  He  had  been  often  a member  of  the  Legislature  of 
his  native  state,  North-Carolina,  and  was  well  acquainted 
with  the  exposed  condition  of  the  West,  and  had  been  active, 
as  a member,  in  meliorating  that  condition.  Having  been  a 
member  of  the  old  Congress,  of  the  Convention  that  formed 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  likewise  of  the 
35 


546 


BLOUNT  APPOINTED  SUPERINTENDENT 


State  Convention  that  ratified  and  adopted  it,  on  the  part  of 
North-Carolina,  and  also  a member  of  its  legislature  in  1789, 
when  the  Cession  was  made,  and  of  which  he  was  a zealous 
advocate,  his  appointment  gave  general  satisfaction. 

Mr.  Blount  also  received  the  appointment  of  Superinten- 
dent of  Indian  Affairs.  To  his  selection  for  the  joint  duties 
thus  assigned  him,  President  Washington  was  led  by  the  ur- 
gent solicitation,  and  at  the  unanimous  recommendation  of 
the  members  of  the  legislature  of  1789,  who  were  present  as 
representatives  from  the  western  counties.  It  is  believed 
that  no  one  was  better  qualified  than  he,  to  reconcile  the  con- 
flicting elements  that  had  estranged,  to  some  extent,  the 
western  citizens,  after  the  dissolution  of  the  Franklin  Go- 
vernment ; none,  with  more  ability  and  fidelity,  to  regulate 
Indian  affairs  between  the  Government  of  the  United  States, 
the  people  of  the  Territory,  the  Indian  tribes,  and  the  frontier 
population  generally. 

The  superintendency  of  Indian  affairs  embraced  the  four 
southern  tribes — the  Cherokees,  Creeks,  Choctaws  and  Chick- 
asaws.  Some  judgment  may  be  formed  of  the  difficult,  re- 
sponsible and  delicate  duties  these  two  offices  devolved  on 
the  Governor,  by  a brief  reference  to  the  posture  of  affairs 
when  he  received  his  appointments.  The  Territory  over 
which  Governor  Blount  was  called  to  preside,  bordered  upon 
the  frontiers  of  Virginia,  North  and  South-Carolina,  Georgia 
and  Kentucky,  within  the  boundaries  of  which,  as  well  as 
his  own  Territory,  all  the  southern  tribes  either  resided  or 
claimed  hunting  grounds.  The  interests  and  pursuits  of  this 
entire  frontier,  constantly  produced  collision,  if  not  hostility, 
between  the  whites  and  the  several  Indian  tribes.  All  com- 
plaints on  whatsoever  subject,  between  these  parties,  were 
cognizable  by,  and  made  to  Mr.  Blount,  for  redress  or  palli- 
ation. This  duty  was  arduous  in  the  extreme,  and  delicate. 
There  were  in  all  of  the  tribes,  several  distinct  parties, 
swayed  by  opposite  influences,  some  adhering  to  the  United 
States,  some  to  the  Spanish  authorities  south  and  west  of 
them,  who  held  a number  of  trading  and  military  posts,  not 
only  in  Florida,  but  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States, 
east  of  the  Mississippi.  The  British  still  held  possession  of 


OF  SOUTHERN  INDIAN  AFFAIRS. 


547 


a number  of  posts  of  like  character  on  the  lakes,  and  in  the 
northwest,  within  the  boundaries  of  the  treaty  of  1783,  and 
from  these  emanated  counsel?  unfriendly  to  the  peace  and 
extension  of  the  territorial  settlements.  On  account  of  ex- 
isting foreign  negotiation,  Governor  Blount  was  restricted  by 
his  instructions  from  the  Federal  Government,  to  defensive 
measures  only  ; offensive  measures  against  the  southern  tribes , 
being  forbidden  by  the  delicate  and  unsettled  posture  of  af- 
fairs between  the  United  States  and  England,  and  the 
United  States  and  Spain.  Foreign  intrigue  had  been  suc- 
cessful in  fomenting  quarrels  in  portions  of  each  tribe,  and 
in  stimulating  invasions  and  strifes  between  some  of  the  seve- 
ral Indian  nations  within  the  superintendency.  To  reconcile 
all  these  animosities  between  savages,  and  to  protect  his  Ter- 
ritory from  their  injurious  effects,  required  frequent  confer- 
ences and  correspondence,  imposing  a Herculean  labour  upon 
Mr.  Blount.  His  correspondence  with  the  Governors  of  ad- 
joining States,  with  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  with  the  au- 
thorities of  Spain,  is  extensive  and  minute.  Being  well  pre- 
served in  the  printed  archives  of  state,  at  Washington,  but 
a small  portion  of  them  need  be  transferred  to  these  pages. 
To  keep  the  Indian  tribes  quiet — to  conciliate  their  friend- 
ship to  the  United  States — to  save  the  Territory  from  inva- 
sion, and  to  neutralize  and  prevent  foreign  influence,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  not  to  jeopardize  negotiations  then  pending^ 
required  a high  degree  of  administrative  capacity  and  diplo- 
matic talent.  In  the  discharge  of  these  arduous  duties,  Go- 
vernor Blount  was  aided  by  his  two  private  secretaries,  his 
brother,  the  late  Governor  Willie  Blount,  and  the  late  Hon. 
Hugh  Lawson  White,  whose  lives,  as  will  be  hereafter  seen 
in  the  prosecution  of  these  Annals,  were  spent  in  the  service, 
and  identified  with  the  interest,  and  character,  and  honour  of 
Tennessee. 

Along  the  frontiers  of  the  four  eastern  counties,  were  seve- 
ral forts  and  stations,  rudely  constructed  by  the  inhabitants 
in  times  of  imminent  danger,  but  furnishing  no  adequate  pro- 
tection. These  were  manned,  generally,  by  the  militia  of 
the  neighbourhood,  under  no  permanent  organization. 

About  one  thousand  men,  capable  of  bearing  arms,  resi- 


548 


DUTIES  OF  GOVERNOR  BLOUNT 


dec!  west  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains — confined,  princi- 
pally, to  a circle  embraced  by  a radius  of  less  than  forty 
miles,  of  which  Nashville  was  the  centre.  Beyond  that 
circle  was  an  unsettled  wilderness  of  almost  indefinite  ex- 
tent, used  only  as  Indian  hunting  grounds.  Whilst,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  Indian  population  of  the  tribes  surrounding, 
furnished  not  less  than  from  thirty  to  fifty  thousand*  fight- 
ing men,  in  alliance  with  more  distant  tribes  in  the  north- 
west, and  in  friendly  intercourse  with  military  posts  occupied 
by  British  and  Spanish  garrisons,  the  commanders  of  which 
were  in  the  habit  of  issuing  trading  licenses,  alike  to  native 
and  foreign  companies,  who  resided  among  the  Indians. 
Such  were  the  posts  of  Mobile,  Pensacola,  St.  Marks,  St. 
Augustine,  Baton  Rouge,  New-Madrid,  Cape  Gerardeau,  St. 
Genevie  and  St.  Louis,  where  supplies  were  kept,  and  am- 
munition and  arms  furnished,  to  the  Indians,  to  excite  them 
to  commit  murder  and  depredation  upon  the  citizens  of  the 
Territory,  then,  except  on  its  eastern  extremity,  an  exposed 
and  defenceless  frontier — extending,  with  the  meanders  of 
the  several  treaty  lines,  nearly  a thousand  miles.  A border, 
thus  extensive  and  thus  exposed,  invited  attack.  Several 
invasions,  as  will  be  hereafter  more  specially  detailed,  were 
carried  on  by  the  Indians,  in  large  bodies,  not  only  against 
the  border  settlements,  but  extending  to  the  interior  and 
better  settled  neighbourhoods.  Instructed,  as  he  was,  to 
refrain  from  offensive  war,  and  to  act  purely  on  the  defen- 
sive, Governor  Blount  was,  of  course,  often  and  severely 
censured,  for  affording  so  inefficient  protection  to  the  people  of 
the  Territory.  The  aggressions  upon  them  were  frequent,  nu- 
merous, and  of  several  years  continuance.  They  gave  rise  to 
many  complaints,  not  only  by  his  own  people,  but  by  those  of 
other  states  contiguous  to  his  superintendency.  The  people 
complained  that  offensive  measures  were  not  vigorously  adopt- 
ed— the  Indians,  that  they  were  adopted — and  the  Executive 
and  Congress  of  the  United  States,  that  the  expenses  of  pro- 
tecting the  frontier  were  so  great,  and  accumulated  so 
rapidly.  These  complaints  the  Governor  bore  with  equa- 
nimity. The  people,  at  length,  ascertaining  that  the  fault 
* Blount  Papers. 


WERE  LABORIOUS,  DELICATE  AND  RESPONSIBLE. 


549 


was  not  with  him,  withheld  their  censures,  and  generally- 
sustained  his  authority. 

Some  of  the  duties  assigned  to  the  Governor  were  com- 
plex, delicate  and  difficult.  Much  of  the  land  in  Greene  and 
Hawkins  counties,  entered  and  held  by  the  inhabitants, 
according  to  the  provisions  of  the  laws  of  North-Carolina, 
were  south  and  west  of  the  line  described  as  the  line  of 
allotment  in  the  fourth  Article  of  the  Treaty  of  Hopewell. 
Some  settlers  had  crossed  Clinch  River  in  violation  of  the 
same  treaty  ; and  the  entire  population  south  of  French 
Broad  and  Holston,  were  upon  lands  reserved  to  the  Chero- 
kees,  as  hunting  grounds,  by  the  legislation  of  the  mother 
state,  but  yet  relinquished  by  the  Indians  at  the  treaties  held 
under  the  authority  of  Franklin — an  authority  denied  by 
North-Carolina,  and  not  recognized  by  the  United  States. 
These  were  only  a part  of  the  embarrassments  which  Go- 
vernor Blount  had  to  encounter.  The  provisions  of  the 
treaty  of  Hopewell,  for  the  delivery  of  property  stolen  by 
the  Indians,  during  the  Revolution,  were  not  only  disregarded 
by  them,  but  additional  thefts  were  constantly  practiced, 
both  by  Cherokees  and  Creeks,  upon  the  citizens  of  the  Ter- 
ritory. This  disregard  of  treaty  stipulations  by  one  party, 
led  to  a like  disregard  and  violation  of  treaties  by  all.  A 
proclamation  from  the  Federal  Executive,  warning  intruders 
upon  Indian  territory  to  withdraw  within  the  treaty  limits, 
and  others  to  observe  and  comply  with  treaty  stipulations, 
were  issued,  but,  as  the  Indians  broke  the  treaty,  the  whites 
refused  to  perform  its  requirements  on  their  part,  and  the 
proclamation  was  disregarded. 

Another  serious  difficulty  presented  itself.  By  an  act  of 
the  State  of  Georgia,  disposing  of  certain  vacant  lands, 
three  million  and  a half  acres  of  land,  lying  south  of  Ten- 
nessee River,  were  conveyed  to  the  Tennessee  Company,  con- 
sisting of  Zachariah  Cox,  Thomas  Gilbert  and  John  Strother, 
Esquires,  and  their  associates.  The  proprietors  took  mea- 
sures, soon  after,  to  effect  a settlement  of  their  purchase. 
Zachariah  Cox  and  Thomas  Carr,  as  agents  of  the  Company, 
repaired  to  the  Territory,  and  there,  Sept.  2d,  1790,  issued 


550 


cox’s  EXPEDITION  DESCENDS 


an  advertisement  that  it  would  embark  a large  armed  force 
at  the  mouth  of  French  Broad.  The  fleet  was  to  start  Jan. 
10,  1791,  carrying,  in  the  boats,  such  emigrants  as  desired  to 
settle  near  the  Muscle  Shoals.  A bounty  of  five  hundred 
acres  was  offered  to  each  family,  and  half  of  that  quantity 
to  each  single  man.  A land  office  was  opened  for  the  dis- 
position of  these  lands,  which  was  to  be  kept  at  the  conflu- 
ence of  Holston  and  French  Broad  till  the  company  embarked, 
and  was  then  to  be  opened  at  the  Great  Bend.  Undoubted 
fee  simple  titles  were  promised  to  the  adventurers. 

Against  this  projected  settlement,  and  two  others,  known 
as  the  South-Carolina  Yazoo  Company,  and  the  Virginia 
Yazoo  Company,  the  Secretary  of  War  earnestly  remonstra- 
ted, and  the  President  issued  a proclamation,  forbidding  the 
intended  settlement,  and  declaring  that  those  who  made  them 
would  be  considered,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  entirely 
without  the  protection  of  the  United  States. 

A copy  of  this  proclamation  the  Governor  communicated 
to  such  agents  and  employees  of  the  Company,  as  were 
then  in  the  Territory  and  preparing  to  embark  on  the  pro- 
jected expedition  ; with  the  declaration,  that  if  the  expedition 
should  go  forward  to  the  Muscle  Shoals,  he  would  at  once 
acquaint  the  Indians  of  its  movements,  who  should  be  at 
liberty  to  act  towards  the  Company  as  they  might  think  right 
without  offence  to  the  United  States. 

Not  deterred  by  the  Federal  prohibitions,  Col.  Hubbardt, 
( Peter  Bryant,  and  fifteen  others,  embarked  at  the 
I mouth  of  Dumplin,  and  went  with  Zachariah  Cox  to 
take  possession  of  the  Tennessee  Grant,  near  the  Muscle 
Shoals.  In  a small  boat  and  two  canoes,  and  with  so  few 
men,  the  enterprise  was  hazardous  in  the  extreme.  The 
“ Narrows”  were  still  in  the  occupancy  of  the  same  sa- 
vage hordes,  who,  in  1788,  had  butchered  and  captured 
Colonel  Brown’s  company.  His  sad  fate  was  a warning, 
which  Hubbardt  and  his  comrades  could  not  disregard.  They 
proceeded  with  the  utmost  caution  and  circumspection.  Be- 
low the  Suck,  at  the  Indian  Old  Fields,  a small  party  of  In- 
dians came  out  in  their  canoes  and  hailed  them.  The  same 


THE  RIVER  TO  MUSCLE  SHOALS. 


551 


number  of  white  men  were  sent  out  to  meet  them,  advancing 
firmly  with  their  rifles  in  their  hands,  but  with  orders  not  to 
fire  till  the  last  extremity.  Their  canoe  floated  down  to- 
wards the  Indians,  who  observing  their  preparation  for  at- 
tack, withdrew  and  disappeared.  A little  further  down, 
night  overtook  the  voyagers,  and  when,  from  the  dangers  of 
the  navigation  at  night,  it  was  proposed  to  steer  to  the  shore, 
they  saw  upon  the  bank  a row  of  fires,  extending  along  the 
bottoms  as  far  as  they  could  see,  and  standing  around  them 
armed  Indian  warriors.  They  silenced  their  oars  by  pouring 
water  upon  the  oar  pins — spake  not  a word,  but  glided  by 
as  silently  as  possible.  The  dogs  barked  from  the  bank. 
The  Indians  rekindled  their  fires  and  appeared  to  listen. 
The  boat  escaped.  Several  times  next  day  the  Indians  tried, 
by  various  artifices,  to  decoy  them  to  land.  On  one  occasion 
three  of  them  insisted,  in  English,  to  come  and  trade  with 
them.  After  they  refused  and  had  passed  by,  three  hundred 
warriors  rose  out  of  ambush.  They  were  then  beyond  the 
reach  of  their  guns,  and  escaped.  For  three  days  and  nights 
they  did  not  land,  but  doubled  on  their  oars — beating  to  the 
south  side  at  night,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  river  through 
the  day. 

Cox  and  his  party  built  a block-house,  and  erected  other 
works  of  defence,  on  an  island,  at  the  Muscle  Shoals.  The 
Glass,  with  about  sixty  Indians,  appeared  shortly  afterwards, 
and  informed  them,  if  they  did  not  peaceably  withdraw,  he 
would  put  them  to  death.  After  some  further  conference, 
the  works  were  abandoned.  The  Indians  immediately  re- 
duced the  works  to  ashes. 

A bill  of  indictment  was  twice  sent  to  the  Grand  Jury 
against  Cox  and  his  associates,  at  the  next  term  of  the  Su- 
perior Court  of  Washington  District,  but  the  indictment  was 
not  sustained  as  a true  bill. 

Another  source  of  embarrassment  to  Governor  Blount,  was 
the  immature  negotiation  with  Spain  concerning  bounda- 
ries, the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  and  the  treaties  of 
that  Power  with  the  Indians.  The  delicate  posture  of  that 
negotiation  required  caution  and  forbearance  on  the  part  of 
the  western  people,  and  subjected  the  Government  and  its 


552 


REPULSE  AT  HOUSTON’S  STATION. 


1790 


agents,  at  that  time,  and  for  years  after,  to  very  serious  com- 
plaints, censure  and  opposition. 

A fort,  about  ten  miles  from  Maryville,  had  in  it  several 
families,  but  only  seven  gunmen.  It  consisted  of  a 
rudely  constructed  cabin,  one  story  high,  provided, 
though,  with  the  usual  defences,  port-holes,  etc.§  A large 
party  of  two  or  three  hundred  Indians  approached  it,  with 
the  evident  design  to  attack  and  destroy  it.  This  they  could 
have  undoubtedly  effected  with  suitable  resolution,  but 
were  deterred  by  the  method  adopted  for  its  defence.  The 
besieged,  of  whom  James  Houston,  the  narrator,  was  one, 
reserved  their  fire  till  the  assailants  were  near  enough  for 
very  decisive  and  certain  aim.  The  discharge  at  that  mo- 
ment, of  the  seven  rifles,  was  calculated  to  impress  the  enemy 
with  the  belief  that  a more  formidable  force  was  lodged 
within.  The  firing  was  repeated  with  great  vigour.  The 
savages  picked  up  their  dead  and  wounded,  and  retired.  The 
fort  did  not  lose  a man. 

Indian  aggression  had  become  so  frequent  and  general, 
on  every  part  of  the  extensive  frontiers  of  the  United 
States,  that  Congress  passed  an  act  for  their  defence, 
authorizing  the  President  to  call  mounted  militia  into  the 
field,  and  to  increase  the  defences  of  the  country  by  new  le- 
vies. These  were  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Fort  Washing- 
ton, to  be  placed  under  the  command  of  General  St.  Clair,  to 
be  employed  in  an  expedition  meditated  against  the  Indian 
villages  on  the  Miamis.  A requisition  for  that  purpose  was 
made  upon  the  forces  of  the  Territory. 

The  President  required  three  hundred  and  thirty-two  men 
from  the  District  of  Washington,  to  be  enrolled  at  the  ear- 
liest moment,  and  ready  to  march  to  the  head-quarters  of 
Gen.  St.  Clair,  at  Fort  Washington.  For  once,  the  militia  of 
the  country  did  not  turn  out  with  their  usual  alacrity.  The 
term  of  service  was  longer  than  they  had  been  accustomed 
to,  and  they  were  required  to  take  an  oath  to  obey  command 
of  officers  whom  they  did  not  know,  and  in  whose  selection 
their  voice  was  not  heard.  A draft  was  had,  and  many  hired 
substitutes. 


1791 


LEVIES  SENT  TO  GENERAL  ST.  CLAIR. 


553 


Most  of  the  civil,  and  nearly  all  of  the  military,  appoint- 
ments made  for  the  Territory  by  Governor  Blount,  were 
conferred  upon  the  former  officers  of  the  State  of  Franklin. 
Considerable  dissatisfaction  was  excited,  and  a petition  was 
got  up,  remonstrating  against  the  acts  of  the  Governor. 

The  opposition  thus  raised  against  the  administration 
of  Governor  Blount,  was  occasioned  principally  by  his  efforts, 
and  those  of  General  Sevier,  to  raise  the  United  States  levies, 
then  wanted  for  the  reinforcement  of  the  north-western  army. 
The  terms,  especially  as  to  the  period  of  the  enlistment  for 
the  quotas  to  be  sent  from  the  Territory,  were  very  formal, 
and  different  from  the  volunteering  system  which  had  so 
long  obtained  with  the  western  militia.  The  period  of  ser- 
vice with  them  had  always  been  short,  and  they  never  parted 
with  the  right  of  choosing  their  own  officers. 

A further  reason  for  the  hesitancy  of  the  Territorial  mili- 
tia to  join  St.  Clair,  was  the  inadequacy  of  the  defensive 
measures  nearer  home.  Still,  there  was  no  relaxation,  on 
the  part  of  the  Governor,  to  send  forward  the  levies  from 
the  Territory.  He  was  himself  engrossed  with  pressing 
duties,  growing  out  of  his  superintendency,  and  found  it 
necessary  to  devolve  on  General  Sevier  the  task  of  organi- 
zing the  battalion.  Writing  to  him,  under  date  May  24, 
1791,  Governor  Blount  says  : “ The  necessity  I am  under  to 
meet  the  Cherokees,  in  treaty,  on  the  last  day  of  this  month, 
will  not  permit  me,  after  Thursday  next,  to  pay  but  very 
little  attention  to  these  troops.” 

Major  Rhea  was  appointed  to  the  command — the  battalion 
was  organized  and  ordered  to  march,  and,  before  July  15, 
had  started  with  two  hundred  men  to  Fort  Washington. 
Such  of  the  troops  as  reached  the  scene  of  action  did  their 
duty,  and  fully  sustained  the  character  of  their  countrymen 
for  conduct  and  courage. 

Among  the  troops  sent  to  the  army  of  St.  Clair,  raised  in 
the  South-western  Territory,  was  the  company  commanded 
by  Captain  Jacob  Tipton.  About  to  leave  on  that  distant 
and  perilous  service,  he  had  taken  his  farewell  of  his  family, 
and  had  mounted  his  horse.  He  hallooed  back  to  his  wife, 
requesting  her,  that  if  he  should  be  killed,  to  alter  the  name 


554 


HEROISM  OF  THE  TIPTONS. 


of  their  son  William,  and  call  him,  for  himself,  Jacob.  The 
presentiment  which  suggested  the  request,  was  unhappily 
realized.  At  the  battle  of  the  fourth  November,  1791,  the 
brave  captain  was  killed.  His  last  injunction  to  his  wife 
was  complied  with.  William  became  Jacob  Tipton,  late 
General  Jacob  Tipton,  of  Tipton  county,  Tennessee,  which 
was  thus  named,  in  1821,  by  the  Tennessee  Legislature,  in 
honour  of  the  patriotic  captain.* 

In  the  meantime,  Governor  Blount  was  directing  attention 
to  the  great  subject  of  procuring  a lasting  peace  between 
the  Cherokees  and  the  people  of  the  United  States.  He  had, 
during  the  last  year,  sent,  through  Major  King  and  others, 
invitations  to  their  chiefs,  to  meet  him  for  that  purpose  in 
treaty.  Some  mischievous  men  on  the  frontier  and  in  the 
nation,  had  circulated  a report  that  it  was  the  intention  of 
the  Governor  to  draw  them  to  the  treaty  ground,  and  there 
have  them  all  cut  off'.  To  counteract  such  reports,  which 
were  keeping  back  some  of  the  more  influential  leaders,  in 
the  more  interior  towns,  General  Robertson,  who  always 
had  their  entire  confidence  as  an  honest  and  frank  man, 
went  to  their  nation  early  in  June.  He  succeeded  in  quiet- 
ing their  apprehensions  and  removing  the  unfavourable 
impressions  they  entertained  towards  the  United  States,  and 
in  disposing  them  to  treat.  At  first,  they  proposed  to  meet 
at  the  confluence  of  Holston  and  French  Broad,  and  to  this 
General  Robertson  assented.  But  they  were  at  length  in- 
duced to  yield  to  the  preferences  of  Governor  Blount,  who 
designated  a point  four  miles  below,  on  the  north  bank  of 
Holston  River,  as  the  most  convenient  and  suitable  place  for 
holding  the  treaty.  There,  was  a denser  settlement,  of  which 

* Another  Tennessean,  of  the  same  name  and  family,  was  distinguished  after- 
wards at  Tippecanoe.  He  left  his  native  state  with  an  axe  and  a rifle  for  his 
patrimony.  He  subsequently  became  Senator  in  Congress,  and  one  of  the  most 
prominent  men  in  Indiana.  Of  him  the  anecdote  is  narrated,  which  we  have  seen 
in  the  public  journals,  where  General  Harrison  is  represented  as  riding  up  in  the 
heat  of  the  battle,  inquiring  of  the  young  Tipton — “ Where  is  your  captain 
“ Dead  ! sir.”  “ Tour  lieutenant  ?”  “ Dead  ! sir.”  “ Tour  second  lieutenant  ?” 
“ Dead  ! sir.”  “ Tour  ensign  ?”  “ He  stands  before  you  I”  where  Tipton  then 
stood,  holding  and  defending  the  flag,  but  so  covered  with  dirt  and  so  besmeared 
with  blood,  that  General  Harrison  scarcely  knew  him. 


INDIAN  TEEATY  AT  KNOXVILLE. 


555 


White’s  Fort  was  the  centre,  and  where,  indeed,  there  was 
already  the  nucleus  of  the  future  Knoxville  and  the  seat  of 
the  Territorial  Government. 

It  would  be  desirable  to  present  here,  a full  and  minute 
account  of  this  negotiation  with  the  Cherokee  chiefs  and  the 
Superintendent  of  the  Southern  District.  This,  together  with 
the  treaty  itself,  were  laid  before  the  Senate,  in  October  fol- 
lowing, by  President  Washington,  for  its  advice  and  ratifi- 
cation. The  proceedings  are  not  on  record  or  on  file  in  the 
War  Department,  and  cannot  be  procured  elsewhere.  Tra- 
dition says  that  Governor  Blount  received  and  entertained 
the  chieftains  and  head  warriors  with  signal  attentions  and 
marked  ceremonials.  The  treaty  ground  was  at  the  foot  of 
Water-street,  where  the  Governor  appeared  in  full  dress. 
He  wore  a sword  and  military  hat,  and  acted  throughout 
the  occasion  the  polite  and  accomplished  gentleman,  the  dig- 
nified officer  and  courteous  negotiator,  tie  remained  seated 
near  his  marquee,  under  and  surrounded  by  the  tall  trees 
which  then  shaded  the  banks  of  the  Ilolston.  His  officers, 
civil  and  military,  stood  near  him,  uncovered  and  respectful. 
On  this  occasion,  James  Armstrong  was  arbiter  elegantia- 
rum.*  Behind  the  officials,  in  clusters  and  disorderly  groups, 
stood  strangers,  attracted  by  the  occasion,  and  the  citizens 
of  the  immediate  neighbourhood.  The  soldiery  were  not 
present. 

One  of  the  interpreters,  in  Indian  costume,  introduced  each 
chief  to  Armstrong,  and  he  presented  him  to  the  Governor, 
announcing  him  by  his  aboriginal  name.  The  delegation 
was  large  ; forty-one  of  them  being  thus  presented,  in  order 
according  to  their  age,  and  not  their  rank.  Twelve  hundred 
other  Indians  wrere  upon  the  ground,  among  whom  were 
some  women  and  children.  The  Braves  were  decorated 
with  eagle  feathers  on  their  heads,  and  other  insignia  of  their 

* James  Armstrong,  alias  Trooper  Armstrong,  the  ancestor  of  General  Robert 
Armstrong,  the  hero  of  Emuekfaw  and  other  battles  in  the  Creek  war,  and  at 
present  the  editor  of  the  Washington  Union.  The  father  had  seen  service  in 
Europe,  and  was  familiar  with  foreign  etiquette  and  manners,  and  acquitted  him- 
self on  this  occasion  much  to  the  satisfaction,  both  of  the  Governor  and  the  In- 
dians. The  latter  are  aiways  pleased  with  ceremony  and  forms. 


556 


CHEROKEE  BOUNDARIES. 


rank,  but  were  unarmed.  The  older  chiefs  and  wise  men, 
wore  only  the  common  Indian  dress. 

After  the  presentation  was  over,  Governor  Blount,  speak- 
ing through  the  interpreter,  opened  the  conference.  During 
its  continuance,  the  chiefs  observed  strictly  the  Indian  Coun- 
cil House  tactics — the  speaker  alone  standing,  while  his 
colleagues  sat  upon  the  ground,  in  a circle  around  him,  in 
respectful  silence  and  with  fixed  attention.  Squollecuttah, 
Kunoskeskie,  Auquotague  andNenetooyah,  are  said  to  have 
been  the  principal  speakers.  Chuquilatague  seemed  sullen, 
and,  it  is  believed,  signed  the  treaty  reluctantly. 

On  the  second  of  July,  the  conference  was  ended,  and  the 
treaty  agreed  to  and  signed. 

By  its  provisions,  perpetual  peace  and  friendship  were  re- 
stored and  established  between  all  the  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  whole  Cherokee  nation  of  Indians,  who  ac- 
knowledged themselves  to  be  under  the  protection  of  the 
United  States,  and  of  no  other  sovereign  whatsoever.  They 
agreed  to  deliver  to  Governor  Blount  all  prisoners  then  in 
their  nation,  the  boundaries  of  which  were  declared  to  be — 

“ Beginning  at  the  top  of  the  Currakee  Mountain,  where  the  Creek 
line  passes  it  ; thence  in  a direct  line  to  Tugelo  River ; thence  northeast 
to  the  Ocunna  Mountain,  and  over  the  same  along  the  South-Carolina 
Indian  boundary  to  the  North-Carolina  boundary;  thence  north  to  a 
point  from  which  a line  is  to  be  extended  to  the  River  Clinch,  that  shall 
pass  the  Holston  at  the  ridge  which  divides  the  waters  running  into  Lit- 
tle River  from  those  running  into  the  Tennessee;  thence  up  the  River 
Clinch  to  Campbell’s  line,  and  along  the  same  to  the  top  of  Cumberland 
Mountain;  thence  a direct  line  to  the  Cumberland  River  where  the 
Kentucky  road  crosses  it ; thence  down  the  Cumberland  River  to  a point 
from  which  a southwest  line  will  strike  the  ridge  which  divides  the  wa- 
ters of  Cumberland  from  those  of  Duck  River,  forty  miles  above  Nash- 
ville ; thence  down  the  said  ridge  to  a point  from  whence  a southwest 
line  will  strike  the  mouth  of  Duck  River. 


For  the  country  thus  ceded,  the  United  States  were  to  pay 
and  deliver  to  the  Cherokees  certain  valuable  goods,  besides 
an  annuity  of  one  thousand  dollars.  It  was  farther  stipula- 
ted, that  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  should  have  the 
free  and  unmolested  use  of  a road,  from  Washington  to  Mere 
District,  and  the  navigation  of  the  Tennessee  River.  The 
right  of  regulating  their  trade,  was  also  reserved  to  the 


FIRST  PRINTING  PRESS  IN  TENNESSEE. 


557 


United  States.  Other  provisions  were  made  for  the  preser- 
vation of  friendly  relations  between  the  contracting  parties. 

This  treaty  was  ratified  in  November  following,  when  the 
President  issued  his  proclamation  commanding  its  observ- 
ance. 

During  the  inception  and  progress,  and  even  after  the 
1791  j signing  and  execution  of  the  Treaty  of  Holston,  In- 
l dian  hostility  continued.  In  May,  John  Farris  was 
wounded,  and  Mr.  Miller  and  five  of  his  family  killed,  and 
his  house  robbed,  on  the  Roiling  Fork  of  Cumberland.  In 
Russell  county,  Virginia,  near  Moccasin  Gap,  Mrs.  Mc- 
Dowell and  Frances  Pendleton  were  killed  and  scalped. 

A few  days  after  the  signing  of  the  treaty,  a party  of 
Creeks  were  seen  on  the  Lookout  Mountain,  with  fresh 
scalps,  which  they  acknowledged  had  been  taken  on  Cum- 
berland. It  was  generally  conjectured,  that  most  of  the  mis- 
chief mentioned  here,  was  perpetrated  by  the  Creeks  and 
the  banditti  at  the  five  Lower  Towns.  Whether  by  the 
Creeks  or  Cherokees,  murders  continued  with  little  abate- 
ment. James  Patrick  was  killed  in  the  Poor  Valley,  seven- 
teen miles  from  Rogersville,  early  in  September.  The  peo- 
ple began  to  complain  of  the  inefficiency  of  treaty  stipula- 
tions in  preserving  peace,  and  Governor  Blount  felt  it  ne- 
cessary to  urge  upon  General  Robertson  the  , necessity  of 
preventing  an  infraction  of  the  treaty  on  the  part  of  the 
whites,  and  to  maintain,  if  possible,  friendly  relations  with 
the  Indians. 

The  fifth  of  November,  1791,  is  signalized  in  the  annals 
of  Tennessee,  as  the  day  on  which  the  first  newspaper  was 
issued  within  the  borders  of  that  state.  The  pioneer  printer, 
publisher  and  editor,  in  Tennessee,  was  George  Roulstone. 
He  established  his  press  first  at  Rogersville,  in  Hawkins 
county,  which  thus  claims  the  credit  and  distinction  of  the 
nativity  of  the  newspaper  press,  which  sent  forth,  through  a 
domestic  medium,  the  first  ray  of  light  for  the  information 
and  improvement  of  the  new  community,  in  whose  limits  it 
was  founded. 

Though  at  first  published  at  Rogersville,  Mr.  Roulstone’s 
paper  was  called  “ The  Knoxville  Gazette,”  as  it  was  intend 


558 


KNOXVILLE  ESTABLISHED. 


ed  to  be  issued  at  Knoxville,  where  Governor  Blount  had 
determined  to  fix  the  seat  of  his  government.  In  February, 
of  the  next  year,  Knoxville  was  laid  off  by  Col  White,  and 
the  Gazette  removed  to  it  soon  after.  It  was  issued  from  a 
cabin,  erected  on  the  lot  lately  owned  by  Mr.  Samuel  Bell, 
on  Gay-street. 

The  columns  of  the  Gazette  will,  hereafter,  furnish  some  of 
the  matter  of  these  Annals.  It  was  a small  sheet,  but  “ re- 
garded as  the  pioneer  newspaper  in  the  country,  the  Gazette 
engages  an  interest,  to  which  its  intrinsic  merits  would  not 
entitle  it.  Solitary  and  alone,  in  the  midst  of  an  extensive 
Territory,  its  adventitious  importance  was  necessarily  con- 
siderable. The  publisher  was  a man  of  rather  more  than 
ordinary  capacity,  but  seldom  ventured  opinions,  confining 
himself  to  the  more  easy  and  ordinary  duty  of  chronicling 
passing  events.”* 

In  this  year,  Mr.  White’s  neighbourhood  had  become  larg- 
er, and  invited,  by  its  position  and  strength,  the  location  near 
it  of  the  seat  of  the  Territorial  Government.  Governor 
Blount  so  determined,  and  the  proprietor,  James  White,  laid 
off  a town,  consisting  of  the  necessary  streets  and  sixty-four 
lots.  In  honour  of  Major-General  Henry  Knox,  the  then  Sec- 
retary of  War,  under  President  Washington,  the  new  town 
was  called  Knoxville.  Some  of  the  lots  w*ere  sold,  in  1791, 
but  no  considerable  improvement  wms  commenced  till  Feb- 
ruary, of  1792,  when  several  small  buildings  were  erected. 

Being  still  Hawkins  county,  no  county  buildings  were  at 
first  erected,  but  in  June  that  county  was  circumscribed  and 
subdivided,  by  an  Ordinance  of  Governor  Blount,  and  Knox 
county  established.  Lots  had  been,  however,  designated  for 
county  purposes,  by  the  proprietor,  and  temporary  buildings 
for  a court  house  and  jail,  were,  soon  after  the  establishment 
of  the  county,  put  up.  The  first  court  house  was  on  the  lot 
adjoining  and  west  of  the  residence  ofS.  R.  Rogers,  Esq.  The 
jail  was  made  of  squared  logs,  let  down  close  together,  and 
the  floor  and  loft  of  like  materials.  It  was  enclosed  writ.h 
long  palisades,  deeply  entrenched  and  sharpened  at  the  upper 


* Semi-centennial  address  of  Rev.  T.  W.  Humes. 


FIRST  INHABITANTS  OF  KNOXVILLE. 


559 


end.  It  was  a small  building,  not  more  than  fourteen  feet 
square,  and  stood  near  the  spot  now  occupied  as  the  vault 
of  the  Bank  of  East  Tennessee,  corner  of  Main  and  Gay- 
streets.  The  lot  for  the  barrack,  extended  from  Gay  to  Prince 
streets,  embracing  the  entire  front  of  that  square  on  Main 
street.  The  barrack  was  an  entensive,  but  not  costly  struc- 
ture. It  stood  upon  the  ground  now  the  L of  the  Mansion 
House,  but  extended  more  than  twice  its  length,  towards  the 
river  ; the  building  was  made  of  logs  notched  closely  to- 
gether. It  was  thus  secure  against  attacks  with  small  arms. 
The  second  story  projected  two  feet  on  every  side  beyond  the 
walls  of  the  first,  so  as  thus  to  prevent  the  application  of  fire 
to  them  in  case  of  a siege.  In  both  stories  and  in  the  floor  of  the 
second,  port-holes  were  left,  at  suitable  distances.  The  entire 
area  around  it,  as  far  as  a rifle  would  reach,  was  cleared — 
even  a stump  large  enough  to  protect  the  body  of  an  as- 
sailant, was  eradicated.  The  site  was  well  selected,  and  well 
adapted  to  its  purposes.  The  structure  itself  was  designed 
with  military  skill. 

With  pious  regard  and  consideration  for  the  church  and 
religion  of  his  fathers,  the  proprietor  of  Knoxville  designated 
a lot  for  the  erection  of  a place  of  public  worship.  The 
barrack,  and  the  court  house,  and  the  grove,  above  the  mouth 
of  White’s  Creek,  on  the  river  bank,  were  at  first  substituted 
for  this  purpose,  and  it  was  not  till  1810  that  a church  edi- 
fice was  erected  on  the  church  lot.  An  adjoining  square 
was,  afterwards,  designated  to  a purpose  scarcely  less  im- 
portant— the  instruction  and  education  of  youth.  The  entire 
square  between  Gay  and  Church-streets,  and  State  and 
Boundary-streets,  was  appropriated  to  Blount  College. 

Amongst  the  first  settlers  of  Knoxville,  were  James  White, 
James  King,  Mr.  McLemee,  Governor  Blount,  Hugh  Dunlap, 
Samuel  and  Nathaniel  Cowan,  Joseph  Greer,  John  Chisolm, 
Mr.  Stone,  Captain  John  Crozier,  and  Major  Arthur  Crozier. 

The  first  white  child  born  in  Knoxville,  was  the  late  Gen. 
Richard  G.  Dunlap. 

The  first  lots  improved  were  those  nearest  the  river,  and 
in  the  south-east  quarter  of  the  town.  It  was  not  till  1794, 
that  the  trees  were  cut  from  the  lots  since  owned  by  Captain 


560 


FIRST  HOUSES  IN  KNOXVILLE. 


Crozier,  south  of  Gay  and  north  of  Cumberland.  When  he 
built  his  first  store-house,  at  what  is  still  called  Crozier’s 
Corner,  it  was  shaded  by  the  trees  of  the  ancient  forest,  and 
considered  out  of  town. 

The  cabin  of  the  Governor  was  on  the  knoll,  between  the 
University  and  the  river.  Afterwards,  a more  suitable  resi- 
dence was  erected  by  him  on  the  lot  now  owned  by  Judge 
Boyd.  The  mansion  stood  near  the  centre  of  the  lot — was 
finished  with  some  taste,  and  the  grounds  were  better  im- 
proved than  any  in  town.  His  office  was  immediately  be- 
tween his  house  and  Chisolm’s  Tavern,  south  of  it.  It  is 
still  standing.  Chisolm’s  was  the  pioneer  tavern  in  Knox- 
ville. Col.  McClung’s  clerk’s  office  was  on  the  corner,  now 
known  as  Craighead’s.  Nathaniel  Cowan’s  house  was  on 
the  corner  of  Water  and  River-streets.  Stone’s  Tavern  was 
on  the  property  known  as  Park’s  Corner.  Joseph  Greer  re- 
sided upon  the  lot  now  owned  by  S.  R.  Rogers,  Esq.  The 
approach  to  Knoxville,  on  the  east,  was  at  first  along  the 
deep  hollow  or  ravine,  which  extends  from  a little  below 
Kennedy’s  saw-mill,  and  reaches  Cumberland-street  before, 
its  junction  with  Main,  in  front  of  the  residence  of  Major 
Swan. 

The  annuity  of  one  thousand  dollars  to  the  Cherokees,  as 
provided  by  the  Treaty  of  IJolston,  was  considered  by  some 
of  the  chiefs  as  insufficient.  A deputation,  consisting  of 
Nenetooyah  or  Bloody  Fellow,  Chutloh  or  King  Fisher,  Non- 
tuaka  or  the  Northward,  Teesteke  or  the  Disturber,  Kutha- 
gusta  or  the  Prince,  Suaka  or  George  Miller,  and  James 
Cary,  Interpreter,  arrived  at  Philadelphia,  Dec.  28th,  1791. 
A long  conference  ensued  and  continued  to  the  11th.  In  this 
conference,  Nenetooyah  gave  a minute  and  interesting  ac- 
count of  all  that  had  transpired  at  the  Treaty  of  Holston, 
and,  with  the  rest  of  the  delegation,  made  a full  expose  of  the 
affairs  of  his  nation. 

On  the  18th,  the  President  proposed  an  addition  of  five 
hundred  dollars  to  the  Cherokee  annuity,  to  which  the  Se- 
nate gave  its  advice  and  consent. 

On  the  3 1 st,  the  Secretary  of  War  wrote  to  Governor 
Blount,  directing  him  not  to  call  out  the  militia  of  the  Terri 


SCALP  DANCE  IN  CHEROKEE  TOWNS. 


561 


tory,  excepting  in  cases  of  real  danger,  and  pointing  out  the 
importance  of  having  the  boundary  line  run. 

In  February,  of  this  year,  Col.  E.  Robertson  informed  Go- 
vernor Blount  of  aggressions  by  the  Indians,  and  that  on  the 
27th,  in  the  evening,  they  killed  Mr.  Thompson  in  his  own 
yard,  and  jumped  into  his  house  and  killed  all  the  women 
and  children  except  two.  The  Governor  also  received  infor- 
mation from  Captain  Craig,  whom  he  had  despatched  on  a 
mission  to  the  Lookout  Towns,  that  some  prisoners  and 
scalps  had  been  brought  in  by  the  Turtle-at-Home,  and  that 
at  night  a scalp  dance  was  there  held,  at  which  Richard  Jus- 
tice and  the  Glass  took  the  scalps,  and  tore  them  with  their 
hands  and  teeth  with  great  ferocity,  as  did  also  the  warriors 
generally,  with  all  the  forms,  gestures,  exultation  and  decla- 
ration of  a war  dance  ; and  that  the  warriors  from  Running 
Water  coming  in  afterwards,  renewed  the  war  dance,  and 
gave  other  indications  of  hostile  intentions  ; that  the  Shaw- 
nees,  in  their  invitation  to  the  Cherokees  to  join  them  against 
the  United  States,  after  St.  Clair’s  defeat,  had  added  the  de- 
claration, that  they  would  consider  all  Indians  as  enemies 
who  did  not  assist  them,  and  that  General  McGillevray 
wished  to  form  a general  confederacy  of  all  the  Indian  tribes 
against  the  Americans,  and  that  eighty  Creek  warriors  had 
crossed  the  Tennessee,  on  their  way  to  attack  Cumberland, 
and  were  expecting  reinforcements  to  make  a formidable  in- 
vasion of  that  country.  Captain  Craig  felt  a deep  convic- 
tion that  both  the  Creeks  and  the  Cherokees  of  the  five 
Lower  Towns  would  join  the  Shawnees. 

Gov.  Blount  was  also  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  for 
the  Creeks,  Cherokees,  Choctaws  and  Chickasaws.  In  each 
tribe  he  had  a deputy  resident,  and  also  interpreters.  To 
these  he  gave  instructions,  and  from  them  received  reports 
of  the  condition,  disposition  and  views  of  the  Indians  where 
they  resided. 

The  instructions  of  the  Government  restricted  Governor 
Blount  to  the  adoption  of  defensive  measures  only,  by  which 
to  give  protection  and  safety  to  the  Territory.  Thus  re- 
stricted. he  stationed  detachments  of  militia  at  the  more 
36 


562 


INTREPIDITY  OF  MRS.  CAMPBELL. 


exposed  points,  with  orders  to  patrol  from  one  station  to 
another. 

April  21. — General  Pickens,  of  South-Carolina,  was  re- 
quested, by  the  Secretary  of  War,  to  attend  at  Nashville, 
where  Governor  Blount  would  hold  a conference,  in  June, 
with  the  Chickasaws  and  Choctaws,  to  which  some  of  the 
Cherokee  chiefs  would  be  invited.  At  that  time  and  place, 
a proposition  would  be  made  to  these  tribes  to  join  the 
United  States  army,  and  it  was  proposed,  by  the  President,  if 
they  accepted,  that  General  Pickens  should  command  them 
combinedly,  on  the  contemplated  expedition  north-west  of 
the  Ohio. 

One  of  the  guards  came  express  to  Campbell’s  Station, 
with  the  news  that  the  Indians  had  just  killed  two  boys  at 
Mr.  Wells’s,  in  Hind’s  Valley.  On  this  occasion  it  was,  that 
the  Indians  came  to  Col.  Campbell’s  and  fired  at  himself 
and  another  man,  ploughing  by  his  side.  The  report  of  their 
guns  being  heard  by  Mrs.  Campbell,  she,  very  coolly,  barri- 
caded the  door  of  the  house,  took  the  rifles  from  the  rack, 
and  waited,  at  the  port-holes,  for  the  approach  of  the  Indians. 
In  that  position  she  was  found  by  the  men  escaping  from  the 
field.  She  handed  out  the  rifles— the  Indians  were  pursued, 
but  were  not  overtaken. 

Governor  Blount  had  been  invited,  by  the  Chiefs,  to  meet 
them,  in  conference,  at  Coyatee.  As  he  approached  that 
place,  the  standard  of  the  United  States  was  erected.  Two 
thousand  Indians  were  marshalled  into  two  lines,  between 
which  the  Governor  and  his  honourary  escort  passed.  A 
firing,  in  the  manner  of  a feu  de  joi,  was  commenced  and 
kept  up,  handsome^,  for  some  time.  The  object  of  the 
meeting,  was  the  distribution  of  the  goods,  and  the  payment 
of  the  annuity,  according  to  the  treaty,  and  to  bring  to  the 
attention  of  the  Chiefs  the  repeated  infractions,  by  their 
warriors,  of  the  provisions  stipulated  for  in  treaty.  To  his 
remarks  on  that  subject,  the  Breath,  of  Nickajack,  the 
Hanging-Maw  and  John  Watts,  renewed  their  declarations 
that  their  people  were  for  peace. 

After  the  conference  at  Coyatee,  Governor  Blount,  attend- 
ed by  a sufficient  guard,  crossed  the  mountain,  and,  at  Nash- 


zeigler’s  station  attacked. 


563 


ville,  held  a conference  with  the  Chickasaws  and  Choc- 
taws. In  conjunction  with  General  Pickens,  he  met  there 
a large  delegation  of  their  chiefs,  distributed  the  goods,  and 
renewed  assurances  of  peace  with  them.*  Returned  to 
Knoxville,  he  writes  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  under  date — 

Knoxville,  August  31,  1792. 

On  the  10th  instant,  the  conference  with  the  Chickasaws  and  Choc- 
taws ended ; there  was  a very  full  representation  of  the  former,  hut  not 
of  the  latter,  owing,  there  is  reason  to  believe,  to  the  Spanish  influence. 

During  the  conference,  General  Pickens  and  myself  received  the 
strongest  assurances  of  peace  and  friendship  for  the  United  States,  from 
both  nations,  and  I believe  they  were  made  with  great  sincerity. 

June  26. — Zeigler’s  Station,  about  two  miles  from  Bled- 
soe’s Lick,  was  attacked  by  a large  party  of  Creek  Indians — ■ 
first  in  the  afternoon,  and  then  at  night.  This  station  was 
picketed  and  was  defended  by  thirteen  men,  including  the 
son  of  Mr.  Joseph  Wilson,  a lad  not  fully  grown.  Four 
were  killed,  four  wounded,  who  escaped,  three  escaped 
unhurt,  and  eighteen  were  made  prisoners.  Of  the  prison- 
ers, nine  were  regained  by  purchase,  made  by  their  parents 
and  friends.  One,  Miss  Wilson,  and  four  negroes,  were 
carried  into  captivity. 

July  15 — Isaac  Pennington  and  Milligen  were  killed,  and 
McFarland  was  wounded,  on  the  Kentucky  Road. 

July  31. — At  Greenfield’s,  near  Bledsoe’s  Lick,  John  Berk- 
ley, Jun.,  was  killed  and  scalped,  and  John  Berkley,  Sen., 
was  wounded.  He  killed  the  Indian  while  scalping  the  son. 

Mr.  Cochrane  lived  on  the  farm  afterwards  occupied  by 
Doctor  M’Gee.  His  son,  returning  from  Pistol  Creek,  was 
met  by  a white  man,  a stranger,  who  detained  him  a minute 
in  conversation  ; Indians  lying  in  ambush,  fired  on  him,  their 
bullets  passing  through  his  hat  and  clothes  without  inflicting 
a wound.  He,  with  his  father’s  family,  escaped  down  the 
creek,  and  alarmed  the  neighbourhood,  who  began  to  build 
a fort.  A few  days  after,  Gillespie  and  two  boys  went  home 
after  some  corn.  The  Indians  killed  Gillespie  and  the  eldest 
boy,  but  the  youngest  they  took  prisoner.  A white  man 

* The  full  proceedings  of  tliis  conference,  are  in  American  State  Papers,  pp. 
284—5-6. 


5G4 


MILITIA  CALLED  OUT. 


in  the  company  of  the  Indians,  excused  the  murder  of  the 
oldest  brother,  by  stating  that  they  had  fired  at  and  missed  a 
pale-face,  (Cochrane,)  and  killed  his  brother  for  satisfaction 
for  their  lost  powder. 

The  forts  in  what  is  now  Blount  county,  were  reinforced 
and  guarded  by  men  from  Knox  county.  Captain  John 
Crawford  took  troops  from  Tuckahoe,  and  other  places,  and 
left  some  of  them  at  Henry’s,  Craig’s  and  Ish’s  Stations,  and 
afterwards  at  Tellico  Block-house.  This  was  a strong  work, 
of  considerable  size,  with  a projection  on  each  square,  fur- 
nished with  port-holes,  and  calculated  to  stand  a siege  by 
an  enemy  provided  with  small  arms  only.  Colonel  James 
Scott  commanded  the  troops  of  this  frontier  in  the  absence 
of  Sevier. 

Governor  Blount,  by  express,  informed  the  Secretary  of 
War,  that  the  five  Lower  Cherokee  towns  on  the  Tennessee, 
headed  by  John  Watts,  had  formally  declared  war  against 
the  United  States,  and  that  the  warriors  had  set  out  on  some 
expedition  against  the  frontiers,  probably  against  the  Cum- 
berland settlements.  Their  number  was  variously  estima- 
ted at  from  three  to  six  hundred,  including  one  hundred  ban- 
ditti Creeks.  The  Governor  ordered  out  one  regiment  of  the 
militia  of  Washington  District,  and  sent  orders  to  General 
Ptobertson  of  Mero  District,  to  put  his  brigade  in  the  best 
possible  state  of  defence.  The  military  strength  of  the  coun- 
try was  immediately  called  out.  The  colonel  of  Knox  county 
at  once  issued  orders  to  his  captains,  bearing  date — 

Knoxville,  September  11,  1792. 

Sir  : — You  are  hereby  commanded  to  repair  with  your  company  to 
Knoxville,  equipped,  to  protect  the  frontiers;  there. is  imminent  danger. 
Bring  with  you  two  day’s  provision,  if  possible  ; but  you  are  not  to  de- 
lay an  hour  on  that  head. 

I am,  sir,  yours, 

James  White. 

Captain  Thomas  Gillespie. 

The  militia  paraded  at  the  points  designated,  and  were 
distributed  to  the  most  exposed  stations  on  the  frontiers.  It 
was,  in  the  meantime,  ascertained  that  the  expedition  of  the 
hostile  confederates  was  directed  against  the  settlements  on 
the  other  side  of  the  mountain,  and  Governor  Blount  dis- 


INADEQUATE  FORCE  IN  THE  STATIONS. 


565 


banded  most  of  the  troops.  One  of  the  captains,  with  his 
company,  was  retained  in  service. 

The  execution  of  this  order  by  Captain  Gillespie,  restrained 
further  annoyance  for  some  time  on  the  frontier.  This  was 
most  inadequately  protected,  as  appears  from  a list  of  the 
stations  and  strength  of  the  frontiers  of  Knox  county,  Dec. 
22,  1792: 

Gambel's  Station.- — -William  Reagan,  Lieutenant ; men,  thirteen  ; on 
furlough,  five  ; at  station,  on  duty,  eight. 

Black's  Station. — Joel  Wallice,  Ensign;  men,  four. 

Henry's  Station. — George  1 lu fiacre,  Corporal;  men,  six. 

Wells’s  Station. — Richard  Dearmond,  Corporal ; men,  six. 

Ish's  Station. — Matthew  Karr,  Sergeant ; men,  eight. 

Campbell's  Station. — None. 

Lowe's  Station. — None. 

Manifee’s  Station. — Capt.  Sampels  ; men,  fourteen. 

Raccoon  Valley  Station. — Sergeant  Finley  and  one  man. 

Total  at  stations,  forty-seven. 

For  the  protection  of  Cumberland  against  the  threatened 
invasion,  Governor  Blount  issued  this  order  to  Major  Sharpe  : 

“ Major  Sharpe,  of  Sumner  county,  who  commands  all  the  troops  in 
service,  for  the  protection  of  the  frontiers,  is  to  be  considered  as  subject 
to  the  orders  of  no  superior  militia  officer,  notin  actual  service.  Butin 
case  of  any  militia  being  turned  out  from  either  of  the  counties,  by  the 
commanding  officer,  to  chastise  Indians  for  recent  depredations,  he  will 
cordially  co-operate  with  such  part  of  his  command  as  may  be  in  that 
particular  county.  No  pursuit  to  be  continued  beyond  the  ridge  di- 
viding the  waters  of  Cumberland  and  Duck  Rivers.  Patrols  and  recon- 
noitring parties  to  be  kept  out  from  the  stations,  in  search  of,  and  to  prevent 
any  further  depredations  by  the  Indians ; and  in  case  any  Indians  should 
be  found  skulking  or  lurking  about  to  the  northward  of  the  ridge  afore- 
said, in  the  woods,  off  any  path,  or  fleeing,  to  be  considered  and 
treated  as  enemies,  save  only,  Chickasaws  and  Choctaws,  women  and 
children. 

“Annexed  are  the  names  of  the  stations,  and  the  number  of  men  at 
each  ; but  in  case  Major  Sharpe  should  conceive  it  essential  for  the  bet- 
ter protection  of  the  frontiers,  he  will  increase  the  number  at  any  or 
either,  and  lessen  them  at  any  other,  either  the  cavalry  or  infantry,  or 
both,  but  erect  no  new  ones,  until  his  command  shall  receive  an  augmen- 
tation of  troops ; and  on  that  event,  he  will  either  augment  the  numbers 
at  the  present  stations,  or  erect  new  ones,  so  as  best  to  effect  the  object  of 
protection.  Such  men  of  Tennessee  county  on  duty,  as  are  draughts,  to  be 
discharged  on  the  arrival  of  the  men  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Lusk,  and  their  places  to  be  supplied  by  a part  of  his  men.  Major 
Sharpe  will  call  militia  officers,  not  in  actual  service,  into  court  martial 
for  the  trial  of  offenders,  in  cases  where  he  cannot  collect  a sufficient 
number  who  are  in  actual  service. 


5G6 


blount’s  report  of  attack  on 


No.  1.  Cavalry- 
Infantry- 

2.  Cavalry 
Infantry 

3.  Cavalry- 
Infantry- 

4.  Cavalry 

5.  Cavalry 

6.  Cavalry 

7.  Cavalry 

8.  Infantry, 

9.  Infantry. 


Stations  and  Numbers  on 
a Sergeant  and  13 
— an  Ensign  and  15, 

— Sergeant  and  13, 

— Lieutenant,  Ensign,  and  15, 
Lieutenant  and  13, 

— Sergeant  and  15, 
and  infantry,  officers  inclusive, 
and  infantry,  officers  inclusive, 
and  infantry,  officers  inclusive, 
and  infantry,  officers  inclusive, 

, officers  inclusive, 

, officers  inclusive. 


Total, 


Cumberland. 

14  ) Taylor’s  Spring, 

16  j near  Bledsoe’s. 

14  ) Spencer’s 

17  j Lick. 

14  ) Sconer’s 
16  J Lick, 

15  Brown’s  Spring. 

21  Kilpatrick’s. 

13  Gower’s  Cabin. 

20  Edmondson’s. 

18  Near  the  — of  Sycamore. 
12  Cave  Spring,  near  the 

mouth  of  Red  River. 

190 


“On  the  30th  September,  about  midnight,  John  Buchanan’s  Station, 
four  miles  south  of  Nashville,  (at  which  sundry  families  had  collected, 
and  fifteen  gun-men,)  was  attacked  by  a party  of  Creeks  and  Lower 
Cherokees,  supposed  to  consist  of  three  or  four  hundred.  Their  ap- 
proach was  suspected  by  the  running  of  cattle,  that  had  taken  fright 
at  them,  and,  upon  examination,  they  were  found  rapidly  advancing 
within  ten  yards  of  the  gate ; from  this  place  and  distance  they  received 
the  first  fire  from  the  man  who  discovered  them  (John  McRory).  They 
immediately  returned  the  fire,  and  continued  a very  heavy  and  constant 
firing  upon  the' station,  (block-houses,  surrounded  with  a stockade,)  for 
an  hour,  and  were  repulsed  with  considerable  loss,  without  injuring  man, 
woman,  or  child,  in  the  station. 

“ During  the  whole  time  of  attack,  the  Indians  were  not  more  distant 
than  ten  yards  from  the  block-house,  and  often  in  large  numbers  round 
the  lower  walls,  attempting  to  put  fire  to  it.  One  ascended  the  roof 
with  a torch,  where  he  was  shot,  and,  falling  to  the  ground,  renewed  his 
attempts  to  fire  the  bottom  logs,  and  was  killed.  The  Indians  fired 
thirty  balls  through  a port-hole  of  the  overjutting,  which  lodged  in  the 
roof  in  the  circumference  of'  a hat,  and  those  sticking  in  the  walls,  on 
the  outside,  were  very  numerous. 

“ Upon  viewing  the  ground  next  morning,  it  appeared  that  the  fellow 
who  was  shot  from  the  roof,  was  a Cherokee  half-breed  of  the  Running- 
Water,  known  by  tbe  whites  by  tbe  name  of  Tom  Tunbridge’s  step-son, 
the  son  of  a French  woman  by  an  Indian,  and  there  was  much  blood, 
and  signs  that  many  dead  had  been  dragged  off,  and  litters  having  been 
made  to  carry  their  wounded  to  their  horses,  which  they  had  left  a mile 
from  the  station.  Near  the  block-house  were  found  several  swords, 
hatchets,  pipes,  kettles,  and  budgets  of  different  Indian  articles ; one  of 
the  swords  was  a fine  Spanish  blade,  and  richly  mounted  in  the  Spanish 
fashion.  In  the  morning  previous  to  the  attack,  Jonathan  Gee  and 

Clayton  were  sent  out  as  spies,  and  on  the  ground,  among 

other  articles  left  by  the  Indians,  were  found  a handkerchief  and  a moc- 
casin, known  one  to  belong  to  Gee,  and  the  other  to  Clayton,  hence  it 
is  supposed  they  are  killed.”* 

The  repulse  of  so  large  a body  of  warriors  by  the  small 


* Blount’s  Correspondence. 


buchanan’s  station. 


567 


party  of  fifteen  gun-men  at  Buchanan’s,  is  a feat  of  bravery 

^ { which  has  scarcely  been  surpassed  in  all  the  annals  of 
l border  warfare.  The  number  of  the  assailants,  Creeks, 
Cherokees  and  Shawnees,  was  afterwards  ascertained  to  be 
above  seven  hundred,  some  of  them  well  mounted,  and  all 
well  armed,  and  led  by  distinguished  Braves  of  their  several 
tribes.  According  to  the  Indian  version  of  the  affair,  the  as- 
sault was  led  by  Kiachatalee,  a daring  half-breed  warrior  of 
Running  Water  Town.  When  it  was  found  impracticable  to 
carry  the  fort  by  other  means,  he  “ attempted  to  fire  the  block- 
house, and  was  actually  blowing  it  into  a flame,  when  he 
was  mortally  wounded.  He  continued,  after  receiving  his 
mortal  wound,  to  blow  the  fire  and  to  cheer  his  followers  to 
the  assault,  calling  upon  them  to  fight  like  brave  men,  and 
never  give  up  till  they  had  taken  the  fort.”#  Amongst  the 
numerous  wounded,  was  the  Cherokee  chief,  John  Watts. 

Communicating  with  the  Secretary  of  War,  Governor 
Blount  says : 

“ That  you  may  perfectly  understand  the  situation  of  Hero  District,  I 
•will  give  you  a description  of  it. 

“ The  settlements  of  Mero  District  extend  up  and  down  the  Cumber- 
land River,  from  east  to  west,  about  eighty-five  miles,  and  the  extreme 
width,  from  north  to  south,  does  not  exceed  twenty-five  miles,  and  its 
general  width  does  not  exceed  half  that  distance,  and,  not  only  the 
country  surrounding  the  extreme  frontier,  but  the  interior  part  (which  is 
to  be  found  only  by  comparison  with  the  more  exposed  part)  is  covered 
generally  with  thick  and  high  cane,  and  a heavy  growth  of  large  tim- 
ber, and  wdrere  there  happens  to  be  no  cane,  with  thick  underwood, 
which  afford  the  Indians  an  opportunity  of  laying  days  and  weeks  in 
any  and  every  part  of  the  district,  in  -wait  near  the  houses,  and  of 
doing  injuries  to  the  inhabitants,  when  they  themselves  are  so  hid  or 
secured  that  they  have  no  apprehensions  of  injuries  being  done  in  re- 
turn, and  they  escape  from  pursuit,  even  though  it  is  immediate.  This 
district  has  an  extreme  frontier  of  at  least  two  hundred  miles.” 

By  the  Governor  of  the  Territory,  an  ordinance  was  passed, 
at  Knoxville,  the  11th  of  June,  circumscribing  the  counties 
of  Greene  and  Hawkins,  and  laying  off  two  new  counties, 
Knox  and  Jeffei-son. 

Courts  of  Pleas  and  Quarter  Sessions,  were  ordained  to  be 
held  in  the  two  counties  thus  laid  off ; — for  the  county  of 

* M.  A.  H.,  in  Whig  Review,  of  March,  1852. 


568 


KNOX  COUNTY  RECORDS. 


Knox,  at  Knoxville,  and  for  the  county  of  Jefferson,  at  the 
house  of  Jeremiah  Matthews. 

Knox  County  Court. 

1792,  June  16.- — James  White,  John  Sawyers,  Hugh  Beard,  John 
Adair,  George  McNutt,  Jeremiah  Jack,  John  Kearns,  James  Cozby,  John 
Evans,  Samuel  Newell,  William  Wallace,  Thomas  McCulloch,  William 
Hamilton,  David  Craig  and  William  Lowry,  presented  a Commission 
from  Governor  Blount,  appointing  them  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  Knox 
county,  and  appeared  before  the  Honourable  David  Campbell,  Esq., 
who,  in  the  presence  of  Governor  Blount,  administered  to  each  of  them, 
an  oath  to  support  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  also  an 
oath  of  office. 

Charles  McClung  also  produced  a Commission  from  the  Governor, 
appointing  him  Clerk  of  Knox  county,  and  he  was  in  like  manner 
qualified. 

Thomas  Chapman,  also,  as  Register. 

June  25. — Robert  Houston,  in  like  manner,  was  commissioned  and 
qualified  as  Sheriff. 

It  was  ordered  by  the  Court,  that  the  Sheriff  make  proclamation  for 
the  opening  of  a County  Court,  at  the  house  of  John  Stone,  in  the  town 
of  Knoxville,  and  that  Charles  McClung  be  admitted  Clerk  to  record 
the  same. 

Whereupon,  the  said  Robert  Houston,  having  solemnly  proclaimed 
for  that  purpose,  it  is  ordered,  that  the  said  Court  be  considered  open 
for  the  purpose  of  dispatching  public  business,  and  be  ordered  of  record 
accordingly. 

The  first  Court  held,  was  on  the  16th  of  July,  1792.  Present — Jamei 
White,  Samuel  Newell,  David  Craig  and  Jeremiah  Jack.  James  Whits 
was  appointed  chairman. 

June  16. — Luke  Bowyer,  Alexander  Outlaw,  Joseph  Hamilton,  Ar- 
chibald Roane,  Hopkins  Lacy,  John  Rhea  and  James  Reese,  Esquires, 
were  qualified  and  admitted  to  practice  law  in  this  Court. 

Wm.  Henry  obtained  leave  to  build  a mill  on  Rosebury’s  Creek. 

Ordered,  that  Alexander  Cunningham  have  leave  to  keep  a public 
ferry  at  his  landing  opposite  Knoxville. 

Roads  were  also  ordered  to  be  laid  out,  from  Knoxville  to  Col.  Alex- 
ander Kelley’s  Mill,  and  to  David  Craig’s,  on  Nine  Mile  Creek. 

June  17. — John  Rhea  was  commissioned  by  the  Governor,  Solicitor 
for  Knox  county. 

A public  road  was  ordered  to  be  laid  off  from  Knoxville  to  the  Ford 
on  Clinch,  and  from  Knoxville  to  Campbell’s  Station. 

Oct.  23. — A public  road  was  ordered  to  be  laid  out  from  Knoxville 
to  the  mouth  of  French  Broad. 

The  Sheriff  appeared  and  protested  against  the  Jail  of  Knox  county. 

1793,  January  26. — Commissioners  were  appointed  to  contract  for 
the  building  of  a Jail.  Its  dimensions  were,  sixteen  feet  square  ; the 
logs  to  be  one  foot  square,  the  lower  floor  to  be  laid  of  logs  of  that  size, 
to  be  laid  double  and  crosswise  ; the  loft  to  be  laid  also  with  logs,  and 


SCOUTS  ON  FRENCH  BROAD. 


569 


covered  crosswise  with  oak  plank,  one  and  a half  inches  thick,  and  well 
spiked  down. 

The  same  Commissioners  were  also  authorized  to  contract  for  build- 
ing a Court  House. 

1793,  May  6. — John  Sevier  produced  a license  from  Governor 
Blount  to  practice  law,  and  was  admitted. 

By  the  Governor  and  Judges  of  the  Territory,  an  act  was 
passed,  authorizing  the  courts  of  the  several  counties  to 
levy  a tax  for  repairing  and  building  court  houses,  prisons 
and  stocks,  to  pay  jurors  of  the  Superior  Courts,  and  defray 
the  contingent  charges  of  the  counties.  This  act  provided, 
that  the  poll  tax,  for  any  one  year,  should  not  exceed  fifty 
cents,  nor  the  tax  on  land  more  than  seventeen  cents  on  each 
hundred  acres. 

On  the  30th  November,  Sevier  informed  Gov.  Blount  that 
the  Block-house,  at  South-West  Point,  near  the  present 
Kingston,  was  finished,  and  advises  the  erection  of  a post 
between  that  place  and  Campbell’s  Station,  and  that  a strong 
detachment  should  be  sent  forward,  to  a point  near  which 
Captain  Handley  was  defeated — assigning,  as  reasons  for 
this  policy,  that  a large  body  of  Indians  were  in  that  vicinity, 
and  that  the  greater  part  of  all  the  Lower  Cherokee  families 
is  on  the  north  side  of  Tennessee  River,  about  and  near  the 
Cumberland  Mountains. 

Gov.  Blount,  having  received  authentic  information  of  the 
hostile  disposition  of  the  Creeks  and  Lower  Cherokees, 
issued  orders  to  the  colonels  of  the  several  counties  of 
Washington  District,  to  raise  two  regiments  of  troops  to 
operate  against  them,  on  the  defensive.  On  the  27th  of 
September,  he  ordered  General  Sevier  to  repair  to  Knoxville 
to  take  the  command  of  the  brigade.  The  colonels  were 
Carter  and  Christian ; lieutenant-colonels,  Blair  and  McNabb ; 
majors,  Sawyers.  McFarland,  Conway  and  Rutledge. 

Indians  were  seen  at  the  Warm  Springs,  and  at  the  plan- 
tation of  Charles  Robertson,  on  Meadow  Creek,  probably 
watching  the  motions  of  the  guards  who  were  stationed  for 
the  protection  of  the  frontier  on  French  Broad.  These 
guards  were  stationed  in  four  block-houses — at  Hough's,  at 
the  Burnt  Cane-brake,  at  the  Painted  Rock  and  at  the  Warm 
Springs,  and  scouted,  regularly,  between  these  block-houses, 


570 


blount’s  letters  to  war  department. 


and  up  to  Big  Laurel,  where  they  met  the  Buncombe  scout. 
Six  was  the  number  usually  stationed  at  one  post. 

The  official  letters  of  Gov.  Blount  to  the  War  Department, 
and  letters  addressed  to  him  by  his  subordinates,  contain  the 
best,  and  certainly  the  most  authentic,  account  of  the  trans- 
actions in  the  Territory.  They  are  voluminous,  and  being 
well  preserved  in  the  archives  at  Washington,  need  not  be 
transferred  to  these  pages.  A few  extracts,  however,  are 
considered  essential  to  these  Annals,  and  are  here  given. 

The  Governor,  writing  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Nov.  8, 
says  : 

“ The  Creeks  having  never  had  the  colour  of  claim  to  land  on  the 
north  side  of  Tennessee,  it  is  not  necessary  to  say  anything  to  show 
that  their  conduct  must  have  been  occasioned  by  other  motives  than  a 
claim  relating  to  boundaries.  And  if  the  Cherokees  ever  had  a claim, 
it  has  been  extinguished  by  two  public  treaties — that  of  Hopewell  and 
Holston;  at  the  last  of  which,  a valuable  consideration  was  paid  in  hand, 
and  since,  the  first  annual  payment  has  been  made,  and  principally  re- 
ceived by  the  inhabitants  of  the  five  Lower  towns,  who  have  declared 
war  against  the  United  States.  Thus,  if  the  Cherokees  ever  had  a 
claim,  it  has  been  twice  extinguished,  and  by  two  public  treaties.  But, 
by  the  best  information  I can  collect,  the  claim  of  the  Cherokees  to  the 
lands  lying  on  Cumberland,  is  a recent  thing ; there  are  many  very 
respectable  people  now  living  who  were  present  at  the  time.  Richard 
Henderson  and  Company  purchased  from  them  their  claim  to  the  lands 
lying  on  Cumberland,  as  well  as  nearly  all  those  included  within  what 
is  now  the  limits  of  Kentucky. 

“ General  Sevier,  with  the  troops  mentioned  in  my  letter  of  the  27th 
September,  as  ordered  into  service,  is  in  the  field,  advanced  about  thirty- 
five  miles  southwest  of  Knoxville,  that  is,  at  the  mouth  of  Clinch,  with 
his  main  force ; the  other  parts  of  his  brigade  are  detached  to  different 
parts  of  the  frontiers  of  Washington  District,  for  the  protection  thereof, 
with  my  orders  to  act  on  the  defensive,  under  the  limitations  mentioned 
in  your  letter  of  the  9th  of  October. 

“ The  advantages  of  the  troops  at  the  mouth  of  Clinch  are,  they  will 
cut  off  all  communication,  by  water,  between  the  Upper  and  Lower 
Cherokees ; they  will  deter,  in  a greater  degree,  and  can  more  easily 
intercept,  incursive  parties  from  it,  than  in  any  other  situation  ; they  will 
impress  the  Lower  towns  with  apprehensions  of  sudden  attacks  by  wa- 
ter, as  well  as  by  horsemen.  The  distance  by  water  can  be  passed  in 
from  forty  to  forty-eight  hours. 

“ On  Monday  night  last,  five  Creeks,  headed  by  young  Lashley,  the  son 
of  a Scotchman  in  the  Creek  nation,  the  same  that  headed  the  party 
that  killed  and  captured  Gillespie’s  son,  on  the  13th  September,  came 
in  upon  the  waters  of  Little  River,  about  twenty  miles  from  this  place, 
and  stole  and  carried  off  eight  horses  ; they  were  traced  towards  Chil- 


captain  handley’s  defeat. 


571 


howee,  the  nearest  Cherokee  town.  This  gave  reason  to  suspect  the 
Chilhowee  Indians  of  the  theft,  whereupon,  as  many  as  fifty-two  of  the 
neighbouring  people,  including  the  sufferers,  assembled  together  in 
arms,  and  determined  to  go  and  destroy  Chilhowee  and  Tallassee  too, 
a little  adjacent  town,  and  actually  did  march  ; but  General  Sevier  re- 
ceived information  of  their  intentions,  and  despatched  orders  to  them  to 
disperse  and  return  home,  which  they  obeyed,  and  thus  the  matter 
happily  ended.” 

Captain  Handley,  when  marching  with  his  company  of 
forty-two  men,  two  hundred  miles,  for  the  protection  of  the 
stations  on  Cumberland,  was  attacked  near  the  Crab-Orchard 
by  a party  of  Indians,  fifty-six  in  number,  commanded  by  the 
Middle  Striker.  The  party  consisted  of  Cherokees,  Creeks 
and  Shawnees.  When  the  attack  was  made  upon  his  com- 
pany, a panic  seized  most  of  them,  and  they  fell  back. 
Handley  laboured  in  vain  to  rally  them.  He  believed  that 
if  this  could  have  been  done,  the  Indians  would  have  been 
defeated.  He  saw  one  of  his  men,  named  Leiper,  in  a most 
hazardous  position,  at  a little  distance  from  the  Indians,  and 
unhorsed.  Handley  conceived  the  design  of  rescuing  him 
instantly,  by  seizing  the  horse’s  bridle  and  running  him  to 
the  place  where  he  was,  to  give  the  soldier  an  opportunity 
to  re-mount.  In  doing  this,  he  ran  too  near  the  enemy,  and  his 
own  horse  fell  under  him,  pierced  with  wounds.  Handley 
was  immediately  surrounded  by  Indians,  furiously  brandish- 
ing their  uplifted  tomahawks,  the  signal  of  death  or  submis- 
sion. He  jumped  behind  a tree,  and  was  met  by  a warrior, 
who  held  over  him  a tomahawk,  in  the  act  of  striking.  He 
arrested  the  stroke,  by  seizing  the  weapon,  with  the  cry 
“ Canawlla” — friendship.  “Canawlla”  was  responded  by  the 
Indian,  who  instantly  began  to  seek  his  rescue.  This  he  at 
length  effected,  by  hurrying  the  captain  around,  till  he 
brought  him  to  the  principal  chief,  where,  for  a short  time, 
he  was  free  from  danger.  While  the  Indian  was  thus  draw- 
ing him  off,  Handley  received  numerous  licks  from  other 
Indians,  some  of  which  seemed  to  be  inoffensive,  being  made 
with  the  flat  side  of  the  hatchet.  One  was  made  by  his  own 
sword,  from  which  he  narrowly  escaped.  In  another  in- 
stance, a gun  was  fired  at  him,  the  muzzle  not  ten  feet 
distant,  which  was  only  escaped,  by  some  other  Indians 


572 


handley’s  captivity  at  wills  town, 


striking  the  gun  upwards  at  the  moment  of  its  discharge. 
The  efforts  of  Handley  to  rally  his  men,  and  in  labouring 
for  the  escape  of  Leiper,  seem  to  have  drawn  off  the  atten- 
tion of  the  enemy  from  his  men,  and  to  have  concentrated  it 
nearly  on  himself.  Only  three  of  them  were  killed.  The 
rest  all  escaped.  Poor  Leiper  was  seen  by  Handley  lying 
scalped  and  lacerated  with  wounds.  He  exclaimed,  “dear 
captain,”  to  one  who  could  no  longer  command  nor  protect, 
who  was  hurried  away  by  his  Indian  captor,  and  never  saw 
him  more.  Captain  McClelland  was,  at  this  time,  at  South- 
West  Point,  and,  with  his  company  of  light  horse,  was  de- 
spatched to  the  scene  of  the  discomfiture,  to  bury  the  dead, 
and  to  rescue  the  survivors,  if  possible,  from  their  captivity, 
and  cut  oft’  the  enemies’  retreat.  The  first  report  was,  that 
Captain  Handley  was  killed,  as  the  last  time  he  was  seen  by 
his  men,  he  was  fighting  hand  to  hand,  surrounded  by  a 
crowd  of  warriors.  But  the  fight  horse,  in  pursuing  the 
Indian  trail,  found  that  wherever  they  had  encamped,  there 
were  left  the  fixtures  used  by  the  Indians  in  securing  a pri- 
soner. Along  the  trail,  too,  at  different  places,  they  found 
slips  of  torn  paper,  which,  on  being  put  together,  were 
found  to  be  parts  of  Handley’s  muster-roll,  which  he  had 
considerately  torn  and  dropped  along  the  path,  hoping  there- 
by to  furnish  those  who  might  attempt  his  rescue  the  means 
of  ascertaining  the  route  his  captors  had  taken.  The  pur- 
suit was,  however,  unsuccessful,  and  the  fight  horse  returned 
to  South-West  Point.  Captain  Handley  was  taken  to  Wills 
Town.  On  his  way,  he  was  confined  carefully  at  night,  and 
watched  closely  by  his  captors  through  the  day.  Arriving 
at  the  end  of  their  journey,  the  Indians  debated  three  days 
whether  he  should  be  killed  or  permitted  to  five.  At  length, 
he  was  adopted  into  the  Wolf  Tribe  of  the  Cherokees,  and 
treated  like  one  of  them,  from  November  till  March.  Before 
his  adoption  into  the  tribe,  he  received  repeated  insults  and 
injuries.  He  was  made  to  run  the  gauntlet.  Another  mode 
of  torture,  was  that  of  tying  his  hands  and  feet  fast,  and 
then  hurling  him  over  their  heads,  at  the  imminent  hazard  of 
dashing  his  nose  and  face  against  the  ground.  During  his 
captivity,  the  Cherokees  became  tired  of  war,  and  requested 


AND  HIS  RESTORATION. 


573 


their  prisoner  to  write  a letter  for  them  to  Governor  Blount, 
at  Knoxville,  proposing  conditions  or  preliminaries  of  peace. 
He  obtained  libert}’,  at  the  same  time,  to  write  a letter  in  his 
own  behalf,  to  his  brother-in-law,  Colonel  James  Scott,  which 
is  preserved  and  is  here  given  : 

Wills  Town,  Dec.  10,  1792. 

Dear  Sir : — I am  a captive  in  this  town,  in  great  distress,  and  the 
bearer  hereof  is  a runner  from  the  Upper  Towns,  from  the  Hanging 
Maw,  and  is  now  going  up  with  a Talk  from  Col.  John  Watts,  with  the 
Governor,  on  terms  of  peace.  These  people  are  much  for  peace,  and  if 
Governor  Blount  sends  a good  answer  back  to  the  Talk  they  have  sent 
up  by  the  runner,  I am  confident  their  Talk  is  true  and  sincere ; and, 
upon  the  whole,  we  are  not  ripe  for  war  with  these  people,  for  they  are 
properly  fixed  for  war  ; but  Watts  is  entirely  for  peace,  at  this  time, 
and  wishes  for  a good  answer  to  their  Talks.  Dear  Sir,  I have  been 
much  abused,  and  am  in  great  distress.  I beg  that  you  and  John  Cowan, 
and  every  good  friend,  would  go  to  the  Governor,  and  try  all  you  can  to 
get  him  to  send  a good  answer,  so  that  I can  get  away — for  if  an  army 
comes  before,  I am  sure  to  die.  Send  word  to  mv  wife,  and  send  me 
a horse  down  by  the  Hanging  Maw’s  runner,  for  I am  not  able  to  come 
without.  Dear  friends,  do  what  you  can,  for  I am  in  a distressed  way. 
No  more,  but — 

Samuel  Handley. 

N.  B. — John  Watts  sends  to  the  Hanging  Maw  to  send  Calaka,  the 
Hanging  Maw’s  nephew,  and  another  young  fellow,  down  with  the  Go- 
vernor’s Talk  and  the  horse  for  me,  for  he  is  a safe  fellow,  and  if  they 
come  I am  sure  to  get  home,  but  if  not,  I expect  never  to  get  home ; and 
I once  more  beg  you  to  do  your  possibles  for  me,  and  do  them  soon  as 
you  cau. 

To  James  Scott,  Nine  Mile,  Henry’s  Station.  These. 

The  letter  was  favourably  received  by  Gov.  Blount,  and 
though  the  Cherokees  did  not  come  to  an  adjustment  till  af- 
ter another  bloody  struggle  and  ruinous  defeat  at  Etowah, 
they  commissioned  eight  of  their  Braves  to  escort  Captain 
Handley  in  safety  to  his  friends,  in  Blount  county,  with  no 
other  raifcom  than  a keg  of  whiskey  given  them  as  a pre- 
sent. 

Capt.  H.  resided  some  time  after  nearTellico  Block-house, 
where  the  Indians  frequently  came  for  the  purpose  of  traffic. 
When  any  of  his  Indian  acquaintances  from  Wills  Town 
came  there,  they  crossed  over  to  see  him,  share  his  hospi- 
tality, and  repose  upon  his  premises,  as  with  a genuine 
brother  of  their  own  order.  He  afterwards  moved  to  Win- 
chester, Tenn.,  where  he  died. 


574 


THE  TEOrLE  INCENSED. 


I he  Cherokees  were  understood  to  be  embodied  in  such 
1793  $ force  as  to  threaten  an  attack  upon  South-West  Point, 
( and  other  places  upon  the  frontier,  where  the  several 
corps  under  the  command  of  Sevier  had  been  stationed. 
But  acting  under  the  orders  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  Gov. 
Blount  gave  orders,  Nov.  29th,  that  all  the  troops  of  Sevier’s 
brigade,  except  two  companies,  should  be  marched  to  Knox- 
ville, and  mustered  out  of  service.  This  was  accordingly 
done  early  in  January  of  1793. 

On  Tuesday,  the  22d  of  January,  the  Indians  killed  and 
scalped  John  Pates,  on  Crooked  Creek,  about  sixteen  miles 
from  Knoxville. 

On  the  29th,  the  Cherokees  stole  three  of  William  David- 
son’s horses  from  Gamble’s  Station,  on  Little  River  ; and,  on 
the  26th  of  February,  they  stole  ten  horses  from  Cozby’s 
Creek.  These  aggressions  prompted  the  spontaneous  assem- 
blage of  the  militia  at  Gamble’s  Station,  for  the  purpose  of 
marching  to  the  nearest  Indian  towns,  and  retaliating  upon 
them  the  injuries  they  were  suffering. 

The  Governor  immediately  ordered  Col.  Kelly  to  go  to  the 
dissatisfied  and  incensed  citizens  on  the  frontier,  and  en- 
deavour to  restrain  them  from  going  with  arms  across  the 
Tennessee  River,  or  entering  any  of  the  Indian  towns.  The 
Governor  found  it  necessary  also  to  issue  his  proclamation, 
requiring  the  citizens  to  desist  from  an  invasion  of  the  In- 
dian territory,  which  was  now  contemplated  by  a party  of 
eighty  men,  who  had  assembled  at  Gamble’s  for  that  pur- 
pose. Pie  attended  there  himself  in  person,  to  aid,  by  his  per- 
sonal and  official  influence,  in  the  preservation  of  peace.  In 
this  he  was  assisted  by  Col.  White  and  others.  contri- 

bute still  more  in  allaying  the  impending  storm  of  retalia- 
tion, a company  of  cavalry  was  ordered  to  range  from  Hoi- 
ston  to  Little  River.  Quiet  was  restored,  and  the  people 
were  tranquillized. 

While  these  measures  were  being  adopted  to  restrain  the 
just  indignation  of  the  settlers,  new  causes  of  offence  were 
of  constant  occurrence. 

On  the  9th  of  March,  a party  of  Indians,  led  by  Towakka, 
formed  an  ambuscade  near  the  house  of  Mr.  Nelson,  living 


INDIANS  CONTINUE  HOSTILITIES. 


575 


on  Little  Pigeon,  twenty-five  miles  from  Knoxville.  Two  of 
his  sous,  James  and  Thomas,  were  killed  and  scalped. 

On  the  16th,  fourteen  horses  were  stolen  from  Flat  Creek, 
within  sixteen  miles  from  Knoxville. 

In  March,  Joseph  Brown,  whose  capture,  in  1788,  has  al- 
ready been  mentioned,  accompanied  Thomas  Ross,  the  mail 
carrier,  and  Col.  Caleb  Friley,  from  the  Holston  settlements, 
by  the  way  of  Kentucky,  to  Cumberland.  They  were  fired 
upon  the  third  evening  after  they  started,  on  the  east  side  of 
Little  Laurel,  but  sustained  no  damage.  They  went  in  full 
speed,  crossed  the  river,  and  in  about  a quarter  of  a mile  ran 
into  a large  body  of  Indians  ; Ross  was  killed,  Brown  and 
Friley  escaped,  severely  wounded. 

On  the  18th  of  March,  two  young  men,  named  Clements, 
were  killed  and  scalped  sixteen  miles  below  Knoxville. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  a party  of  Indians  killed  and  scalped 
William  Massey  and  Adam  Greene,  at  the  gap  of  Powell’s 
Mountain,  on  Clinch,  about  twenty  miles  from  Rogersville. 

A party  of  Creeks,  led  by  young  Lashley,  burned,  on  the 
8th  of  April,  the  house  of  Mr.  Gallaher,  on  the  south  side  of 
Holston,  and  within  twenty  miles  of  Knoxville.  A detach- 
ment of  mounted  infantry  pursued,  but  did  not  overtake 
them.  The  same  party  hovered  about  the  settlements  till 
the  15th,  when  a party  of  Lieutenant  Tedford’s  rangers  fired 
upon  and  killed  one  of  the  Indians,  who  proved  to  be  a Che- 
rokee— Noon-Day  of  Toquo. 

A report  was  received  from  James  Carey,  one  the  inter- 
preters of  the  United  States  in  the  Cherokee  nation,  in  which 
he  confirms  the  intelligence  Governor  Blount  had  received 
of  Indian  hostilities — “ of  large  parties  of  Creeks  and  C'hero- 
kees,  meditating  invasion  of  Mero  and  Washington  Districts, 
and  of  the  impression  generally  prevalent  with  the  Indians, 
that  the  reason  why  the  Americans  did  not  retaliate,  but 
patiently  bore  the  injuries  they  had  received  from  them,  was 
the  posture  of  their  negotiation  with  foreign  Powers,  and 
their  fear  of  offending  them.  And  that  if  it  was  not  for  this, 
the  Americans,  certainly,  would  not  be  offering  and  begging- 
peace  in  return  for  murders,  robberies  and  bloodshed,  daily 
committed  on  their  citizens.”  Other  intelligence  of  the 


576 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY  RECORDS. 


same  purport  was  received,  through  Mr.  Gilliland,  who  had 
just  returned  from  the  nation.  j 

April  12. — The  people  on  the  frontier  generally  collected 
in  stations.  At  Craig’s,  there  were  two  hundred  and  eighty 
men,  women  and  children,  living  in  great  discomfort  in  small 
huts. 

At  this  moment,  Governor  Blount  was  informed,  that  Gen- 
eral Logan  was  raising  a party  of  Kentucky  Volunteers,  for 
the  purpose  of  making  war  upon  the  Lower  Cherokee 
towns. 

On  the  12th  of  April,  Gov.  Blount  wrote  to  Gov.  Shelby, 
suggesting  to  him  the  propriety  of  restraining  Logan  from  the 
expedition  he  contemplated  against  the  enemy. 

The  Governor  ordained  that  Knox  and  Jefferson  counties 
should  constitute  a Judicial  District,  to  be  known  by  the  name 
of  the  District  of  Hamilton,  in  which  two  Superior  Courts 
should  beheld,  at  Knoxville,  in  April  and  October  of  each 
year.  Of  this  court,  Col.  F.  A.  Ramsey  was,  by  the  Go- 
vernor, appointed  clerk. 

March  21. — It  was  ordained  by  the  Governor,  that  courts 
should  be  in  future  held  for  Jefferson  county,  on  the  north 
side  of  French  Broad,  on  the  lands  of  Francis  Dean,  near  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Henderson’s  Lower  Meeting  House. 

July  22. — Jefferson  County  Court  first  held. — It  met  at  the 
house  of  Jeremiah  Mathews,  (now  Reuben  Zirkle’s,  four  and  a half 
miles  west  of  Dandridge,  near  the  river.)  The  magistrates  had  been 
commissioned  and  qualified. 

June  11. — The  following  gentlemen  appeared  and  took  their  seats, 
viz : Alexander  Outlaw,  George  Doherty,  James  Eoddye,  John  Black- 
burn, James  Lea,  Josiah  Wilson,  Josiah  Jackson,  Andrew  Henderson, 
Amos  Balch  and  Wm.  Cox. 

Joseph  Hamilton  was  commissioned  Clerk. 

Robert  McFarland,  Sheriff.  James  Roddye,  Register. 

Luke  Bowyer,  Wm.  Cocke,  John  Rhea,  Alexander  Outlaw,  James 
Reese,  Archibald  Roane  and  Hopkins  Lacy,  were  admitted  as  Attornies. 

John  Morris,  a Chickasaw  warrior,  being  at  Knoxville, 
and  a guest  of  the  Governor,  was  shot  and  killed  by  some  one 
unknown.  To  soothe  the  feelings  of  the  Indians,  Morris  was 
buried  with  the  military  honours  due  to  a warrior  of  a 
friendly  nation.  In  the  procession,  to  the  usual  burial 
ground  of  the  white  people,  Governor  Blount  and  the  brother 


beard’s  attack  on  hanging  maw. 


577 


of  the  murdered  Indian,  walked  together  as  chief  mourn- 
ers. 

May  25. — Thomas  Gillam  and  his  son  James,  were  killed 
and  scalped  by  the  Indians,  in  the  Raccoon  Valley,  eighteen 
miles  from  Knoxville.  Captain  Beard,  with  fifty  mounted 
infantry,  made  immediate  pursuit. 

June  13. — General  Sevier  was  at  this  time  at  Jonesboro’, 
and  Captain  Chisholm,  by  letter  of  this  date,  forwarded  by  ex- 
press from  Knoxville,  informs  him,  “That  on  yesterday 
morning,  Capt.  John  Beard,  with  a party  of  forty  men,  at- 
tacked the  Indians  at  the  Hanging  Maw’s,  and  killed  twelve 
or  fifteen  on  the  spot,  among  whom  were  a number  of  the 
principal  chiefs,  called  there  by  the  express  order  of  the 
President.  Major  Robert  King,  Daniel  Carmichael,  Joseph 
Sevier  and  James  Ore,  were  acting  for  the  United  States. 
This  will  bring  on  inevitable  war  ; the  Indians  are  making 
vigorous  prepai'ation  for  an  assault  on  us.  The  frontier  is 
in  a most  lamentable  situation.  Pray,  sir,  let  us  have  your 
immediate  presence,  for  our  all  depends  upon  your  exertion. 

“ The  Hanging  Maw  is  wounded,  his  wife  is  killed,  also 
Scantee,  a Chickasaw  chief,  that  was  at  the  Maw’s,  Kitti- 
geskie’s  daughter  and  other  principal  Indians.  Two  hundred 
Indians  were  in  arms  in  thirty  minutes.  Beard  and  his 
party  have  fled,  leaving  the  frontier  unprotected.  My  dear 
sir,  much  depends  on  you — for  your  presence  itself  will  be  a 
balm  to  the  suffering  frontier.” 

Governor  Blount,  was  at  this  moment  absent,  and  the  sec- 
retary, General  Smith,  on  whom  that  duty  now  devolved, 
wrote  immediately  to  the  Hanging  Maw  and  other  chiefs, 
in  explanation  of  the  atrocious  conduct  of  Beard’s  party, 
and  begged  them  not  to  retaliate  the  outrage.  “Be  not 
rash  and  inconsiderate,”  said  he  ; “ hear  what  your  and  our 
Great  Father,  the  President,  will  say.  Go  and  see  him  as 
he  has  requested.  I assure  you,  I believe  he  will  give  you 
satisfaction,  if  you  forbear  to  take  it  yourselves.” 

The  Secretary,  communicating  the  state  of  things  to  the 
War  Department,  adds,  “ to  my  great  pain,  I find,  to  punish 
Beard  by  law,  just  now,  is  out  of  the  question.” 

The  affair  was  deemed  of  such  consequence,  as  to  demand 
37 


578 


ANDREW  CRESWELL’s  STATION. 


the  arrest  and  trial  of  that  officer.  The  court  martial, 
however,  before  which  he  was  arraigned,  inflicted  no  punish- 
ment. 

The  forbearance,  as  hoped  for,  from  the  Cherokees,  by 
General  Smith,  did  not  continue  long.  At  daylight,  August 
29,  a large  party  of  Indians  attacked  Henry’s  Station.  Lieu- 
tenant Tedford  was  taken  prisoner,  and  horribly  butchered. 

Andrew  Creswell  was  living  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Me- 
Gaughey’s  Station  ; two  other  men  constituted  the  force  in  his 
house.  William  Cunningham,  passing  near,  was  way- 
laid by  the  Indians  and  shot.  He  escaped  to  Creswell’s 
house.  One  of  the  men  proposed  to  Creswell,  to  break 
up  and  go  to  the  station.  The  latter  replied  that,  from 
his  knowledge  of  the  Indian  character,  he  believed  they 
would  not  strike  a second  blow  in  the  same  place.  Mr. 
Creswell  then  enquired  from  his  wife,  whether  she  would 
rather  go  to  the  station  than  to  stay  at  home  ? She  replied, 
it  seemed  like  death  at  either  place,  and  she  would  rather 
risk  her  life  there,  than  any  place  else.  “ That’s  my  sort,” 
said  Creswell ; “I  will  keep  this  house  till  the  Indians  take 
me  out  of  it.”  The  house  was  a new  log  cabin,  with  a sin- 
gle door,  fastened  by  a shutter  of  hewed  puncheons,  too 
thick  to  be  penetrated  by  a bullet.  His  stable  was  so  placed, 
immediately  in  rear  of  his  house,  that  Mr.  Creswell  himself 
could  not  open  the  door  of  it,  without  first  entering  his  dwel- 
ling-house, and  going  to  the  head  of  his  bed,  and  raising  a 
large  bolt,  with  a long  lever.  Near  this  lever,  was  a port- 
hole, through  which  he  defended  his  stable ; and  on  each 
side  of  his  house,  were  others  through  which  he  defended  his 
family.  Indians  came  in  sight,  but  never  attacked  him.  Mr. 
Cunningham  recovered  ; he  died  afewyears,  since  in  Monroe 
county. 

August  30.— This  da}r,  two  Indians  came  to  the  house  of 
Philip  Hotter,  in  Washington  county,  about  eleven  o’clock, 
and  tomahawked  and  scalped  his  wife,  and  left  her  for  dead; 
cut  the  head  off  his  daughter,  and  carried  it  away  with  them, 
and  plundered  the  house. 

Colonel  Doherty  and  Colonel  McFarland,  indirect  disregard 
of  the  orders  of  the  Territorial  authorities,  raised  one  hundred 
nd  eighty  mounted  riflemen,  with  whom  they  invaded  the 


DOHERTY  INVADES  THE  CHEROKEES. 


579 


Indian  country.  Crossing  the  Tennessee,  they  penetrated 
the  mountains  at  a place  called  the  Unaca  Pass.  It  was  af- 
terwards ascertained,  that  three  hundred  Indians  lay  here  in 
ambuscade,  awaiting  their  return.  Fortunately,  they  de- 
flected eastwardly,  south  of  Tennessee  and  Pigeon  Rivers. 
In  this  march,  they  destroyed  six  Indian  towns,  and  killed 
fifteen  Indians,  whom  they  scalped.  They  also  took  sixteen 
women  and  children  prisoners.  Two  or  three  times,  our  men 
were  attacked  by  night.  On  such  occasions,  they  would  re- 
tire a few  paces  from  the  lights  of  their  camp-fires,  into  the 
nearest  thicket,  and  stand  with  their  rifles  at  a present,  ready 
to  fire  at  the  flash  of  the  enemies’  guns.  By  the  sudden  ces- 
sation of  the  Indian  arms,  it  was  believed  that  the  aim  of 
the  whites,  although  in  the  dark,  was  effectual.  In  these 
night  attacks,  four  of  the  riflemen  were  wounded,  one  of 
whom  died  soon  after  their  return.  They  were  out  on  this 
campaign  four  weeks,  and  reached  the  white  settlements, 
twelve  miles  above  the  War  Ford  on  French  Broad,  now 
New-Port. 

Captain  Nathaniel  Evans,  from  Boyd’s  Creek,  took  forward 
a large  detachment  of  troops  for  the  protection  of  Cumberland. 
One  hundred  and  eighty  men  rendezvoused  at  Knoxville.  Be- 
ing mounted,  they  carried  their  own  provisions — passed 
South-west  Point,  Post  Oak  Springs  and  the  Crab-Orchard, 
James  Capshaw,  Samuel  Martin  and  George  Telford,  acted 
as  spies  through  the  wilderness.  On  Obey’s  River  the  signs  of 
Indians  multiplied.  They,  however,  came  upon  none— pass- 
ing the  Rolling  Fork  and  the  head  of  Stone’s  River,  they 
reached  Nashville  without  molestation  from  the  enemy. 
Here  they  remained  fifteen  days,  and  returned  nearly  the 
same  route.  It  was  in  their  absence,  that  the  Indians  in- 
vaded the  country,  and  took  Cavet’s  Station. 

Captain  Michael  Harrison,  with  his  company  of  eighty 
^ 1 light-horse  from  Washington  county,  was  in  service 

( early  in  September,  and  visited  the  several  stations 
on  Pigeon,  before  coming  to  Sevier’s  head-quarters  at  Ish’s 
Station,  south  of  Holston.  From  this  point,  scouts  were 
sent  out  to  guard  the  approaches  to  Knoxville,  which  it  was 
apprehended  would  be  the  object  of  Indian  attack,  on  ac" 


580 


ONE  THOUSAND  CHEROKEES  MARCH  AGAINST 


count  of  the  public  stores  that  were  known  to  be  there.  On 
the  24th  September,  Captain  Harrison’s  light-horse  had 
scoured  the  country  in  every  direction,  but  made  no  dis- 
covery of  the  enemy.  But  the  same  evening,  a body  of  a 
thousand  warriors,  under  the  lead  of  John  Watts  and  Double 
Head,  crossed  the  Tennessee  River,  below  the  mouth  of  Hol- 
ston,  and  marched  all  night  in  the  direction  of  Knoxville. 
Of  this  large  force,  seven  hundred  were  Creeks — the  rest 
were  Cherokees.  Of  the  former,  were  one  hundred  well 
mounted  horsemen.  The  Indians  had  expected  to  reach 
Knoxville  before  day,  on  the  morning  of  the  twenty-fifth, 
but  some  detention  at  the  river  had  prevented.  The  horse- 
men had  out-marched  the  main  body,  and  some  altercation 
between  the  leaders  occurred,  and  produced  confusion. 
Knoxville  being  the  principal  object  of  attack  and  plunder, 
orders  were  given  by  some  of  the  Creeks  to  press  forward 
at  once,  and  not  delay  their  march,  by  stopping  to  disturb 
and  plunder  the  smaller  settlements.  Double  Head  advised 
a different  policy,  and  insisted  on  taking  every  cabin  as  they 
passed.  A further  cause  of  delay  was  the  rivalry  between 
this  chief  and  Van,  each  of  whom  aspired  to  the  leadership 
of  the  expedition.  Upon  the  question,  “shall  we  massacre 
all  the  inhabitants  of  Knoxville,  or  the  men  only  ?”  these 
savage  warriors  differed  in  opinion  ; Van  advising  lenity  to 
the  women  and  children.  Before  the  plan  of  procedure  was 
adjusted,  the  night  was  so  far  spent  as  not  to  allow  the 
invaders  time  to  reach  Knoxville  before  daylight.  That 
town  was,  however,  in  the  opinion  of  all,  the  primary  object 
of  attack,  and,  with  that  purpose  in  view,  Campbell’s  Sta- 
tion— one  of  the  chief  forts  of  the  country,  and  in  which,  at 
this  time,  twenty  families  were  there  stationed  for  mutual 
protection — was  carefully  passed,  undisturbed.  At  daylight 
they  had  reached  the  head  of  Sinking  Creek,  in  the  Grassy 
Valley,  and  were  in  a rapid  march  for  Knoxville.  The 
United  States  troops  at  that  place,  as  usual,  fired  off  a can- 
non at  sunrise,  which  the  Indians  heard,  and  understood  to 
be  an  evidence  that  their  attack  was  expected.  This  dis- 
concerted their  plans,  and  led  to  the  abandonment  of  their 
meditated  assault.  The  Indian  force  was  halted  immedi- 


KNOXVILLE,  AND  TAKE  CAVEt’s  STATION. 


581 


ately.  In  sight  of  them,  was  the  house  or  station  of  Alex- 
ander Cavet,  in  which  were  only  three  gun-men  and  his 
family,  thirteen  in  number.  This  house  stood  on  the  plan- 
tation now  owned  by  Mr.  Walker,  about  eight  miles  west  of 
Knoxville,  and  about  six  hundred  yards  north  of  the  present 
stage-road,  where  its  foundation  can  yet  be  seen. 

Disappointed  in  their  hopes  of  plunder,  and  too  cowardly 
to  run  the  risk  of  obtaining  it  by  attacking  Knoxville,  the 
Indians  determined  to  wreak  their  vengeance  upon  a de- 
fenceless family,  and  marched  at  once  to  and  invested  Cavet’s 
house.  It  was  put  in  the  best  state  of  defence  which  three 
men  could  do  against  a thousand  savage  assailants.  The 
fire  from  the  house  killed  one  Creek,  one  Cherokee,  and 
wounded  three  more.  This  held  back  the  Indians  for  a time, 
and  they  sent  in  Bob  Benge,  a half  Creek,  who  spoke  En- 
glish, proposing  that  if  the  station  were  surrendered,  the 
lives  of  the  besieged  should  be  spared,  and  that  they  should 
be  exchanged  for  a like  number  of  Indian  prisoners.  These 
terms  were  accepted,  and  the  house  surrendered.  Its  unfor- 
nate  inmates  had  scarcely  left  the  door,  when  Double  Head 
and  his  party  fell  upon  the  prisoners  and  put  them  to  death, 
mutilating  and  abusing  the  bodies  of  the  women  and  chil- 
dren especially,  in  the  most  barbarous  and  indelicate  man- 
ner possible.  Cavet  himself  was  found  in  the  garden  bar- 
barously murdered,  and  having  seven  bullets  in  his  mouth, 
put  there  by  himself,  for  the  greater  convenience  of  speedily 
loading  his  rifle.  John  Watts  interposed,  and  saved  the  life 
of  Alexander  Cavet,  Jun.,  a lad.  Benge  also  interceded  for 
the  prisoners,  who  had  capitulated  with  him,  but  Double 
Head  was  inexorable,  and  all  efforts  were  unavailing  to 
save  the  poor  victims.  The  house  and  stables  were  plun- 
dered and  burnt,  and  the  Indians  went  off,  carrying  with 
them  into  captivity  the  only  survivor  of  a large  family.  He 
was  afterwards  killed  in  the  Indian  towns. 

The  firing  at  Cavet’s  Station  was  heard,  and  notice  of  the 
invasion  of  the  country  was  communicated,  at  once,  to  Gen. 
Sevief,  then  lying,  with  some  troops,  across  the  river,  at 
Ish’s,  and  to  the  people  at  Knoxville. 


582 


COLONEL  WHITE  TAKES  MEASURES  OF  DEFENCE. 


“This  intelligence  gave  to  the  minds  of  its  citizens  that  impulse- 
which  is  only  to  be  looked  for  on  great  occasions,  when  the  dignity  of  a 
simple  heroic  conception  is  enough  to  consecrate  danger  and  death. 
The  number  of  fighting  men  in  Knoxville  was  forty.  But  it  wa. 
thought  preferable  to  combine  this  force,  and  to  risk  every  life  in  a well 
concerted  effort  to  strike  a deadly  and  terrific  blow  on  the  advancing 
enemy,  at  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  rather  than  stand  to  be  hewed 
down,  in  its  centre,  by  the  Indian  tomahawk. 

“ Col.  James  White  was  then  advanced  a little  beyond  the  prime  of 
manhood,  of  a muscular  body,  a vigorous  constitution,  and  of  that  cool 
and  determinate  courage  which  arises  from  a principle  of  original  bra- 
very, confirmed  and  ennobled  by  the- faith  of  the  Bible.  He  was  the 
projector  and  leader  of  the  enterprise.  Robert  Houston,  Esq.,  from 
whose  verbal  statements  the  substance  of  much  of  this  narrative  is 
copied,  was  of  the  age  of  twenty-eight,  and  was  a personal  actor  in  the 
scene. 

“ It  was  viewed  to  be  manifest,  by  those  who  were  acquainted  with 
Indian  movements,  that  the  party  would  come  up  the  back  way,  near 
the  present  plantations  of  Mrs.  Luttrell  and  Henry  Lonas,  rather  than 
the  straighter  way,  now  travelled  by  the  stage.  The  company  from 
Knoxville  accordingly  repaired  to  a ridge  on  that  road,  which  now  may- 
be inspected,  about  a mile  and  a quarter  from  Knoxville. 

“ On  the  side  of  this  ridge  next  to  Knoxville,  our  company  was  sta- 
tioned, at  the  distance  of  twenty  steps  from  each  other,  with  orders  to 
reserve  their  fire  till  the  most  forward  of  the  Indian  party  was  advanced 
far  enough  to  present  a mark  for  the  most  eastern  man  of  our  own 
party.  He  was  then  to  fire.  This  fire  was  to  be  the  signal  for  every 
man  of  our  own  to  take  aim  with  precision.  This  would  be  favoured 
by  the  halt  thus  occasioned  in  the  ranks  of  the  Indians.  And  these 
latter,  it  was  hoped,  astonished  at  the  sudden  and  fatal  discharge  of 
rifles,  extended  over  so  long  a line,  would  apprehend  a most  formidable 
ambuscade,  would  quit  all  thoughts  of  further  aggression,  and  betake 
themselves  to  the  readiest  and  safest  retreat. 

“ But  to  provide  for  the  worst,  it  was  settled  beforehand,  that  each 
man,  on  discharging  his  piece,  without  stopping  to  watch  the  flight  of 
the  Indians,  should  make  the  best  of  his  way  to  Knoxville,  lodge  him- 
self in  the  block-house,  where  three  hundred  muskets  had  been  depo- 
sited by  the  United  States,  and  where  the  two  oldest  citizens  of  the 
forty,  John  McFarland  and  Robert  Williams,  were  left  behind  to  run 
bullets  and  load. 

“ Here  it  was  proposed  to  make  a last  and  desperate  struggle  ; that, 
by  possessing  every  port-hole  in  the  building,  and  by  dealing,lead  and 
powder  through  it  to  the  best  advantage,  they  might  extort  from  an 
enemy  of  nearly  forty  times  their  number,  a high  price  for  the  hazard 
of  all  they  had  on  earth  that  was  dear  and  precious.  There  were  then 
two  stores  in  Knoxville,  Nathaniel  Cowan’s  and  James  Miller’s.  Though 
the  practical  heroism  of  the  well-concerted,  and  thus  far,  ably  conducted 
stratagem,  in  consequence  of  the  sudden  retreat  of  the  enemy,  was  not 
put  to  the  test  of  actual  experiment,  yet  an  incident  fraught  with  so  / 


VOLUNTEERS  CONCENTRATE  AT  ISh’s. 


583 


much  magnanimity  in  the  early  fortunes  of  Knoxville,  should  not  he 
blotted  from  the  records  of  her  fame.  It  is  an  incident  on  which  the 
memory  of  her  sons  will  linger  without  tiring,  when  the  din  of  party 
shall  be  hushed  and  it0  strife  forgotten.  These  men  of  a former  day, 
were  ‘made  of  sterner  stuff’  than  to  shrink  from  danger  at  the  call  of 
duty.  And  it  will  be  left  to  the  pen  of  a future  historian  to  do  justice 
to  that  little  band  of  thirty-eight  citizens,  who  flinched  not  from  the 
deliberate  exposure  of  their  persons  in  the  open  field,  within  the  calcu- 
lated gunshot  of  fifteen  hundred  of  the  fleetest  running  and  boldest 
savages.”— Foster's  Essay  before  E.  T.  Historical  and  Antiquarian 
Society. 

At  Ish’s,  preparations  were  made  for  an  immediate  pur- 
suit, and  an  invasion  of  the  Indian  country.  The  troops  in 
the  less  remote  settlements  were  ordered  into  service.  Not 
knowing  the  number  of  the  invaders,  the  extent  of  the  mis- 
chief they  had  done,  nor  the  point  of  the  next  attack,  Gen- 
eral Sevier  detached  Captain  Harrison,  to  cross  the  Holston 
and  make  discoveries  ; and,  if  necessary,  give  pursuit.  That 
officer,  with  his  company  oflight-horse,  set  out  for  the  trail  of 
the  Indians,  and,  from  the  smoking  ruins  of  the  station,  he  traced 
it  to  a place  where  they  had  stopped  to  feed,  in  the  direction 
of  Clinch  River.  Finding  that  the  enemy  had  abandoned 
the  attack  on  Knoxville,  the  light-horse  returned  to  Sevier’s 
camp,  and  expresses  were  dispatched  to  Washington  District 
for  reinforcements,  to  intercept  and  pursue  the  enemy. 
Another  company  of  light-horse,  commanded  by  Captain 
James  Richardson,  joined  the  camp  at  Ish’s  ; and,  in  a short 
time,  Sevier’s  command  was  augmented  by  the  arrival  of 
troops  under  Colonel  Kelly  and  others,  in  numbers  sufficient 
to  authorize  him  to  invade  the  enemy’s  country. 

The  daring  inroad  of  almost  the  entire  available  force  of 
the  Creeks  and  Cherokees  under  John  Watts,  one  of  the  most 
resolute  and  enterprising  of  their  chiefs,  though  abortive, 
and,  in  its  main  object,  entirely  unsuccessful,  went  far  to  con- 
vince the  authorities  of  the  Territory,  and  the  Executive  of 
the  Federal  Government,  that  it  was  no  longer  wise  or  safe 
to  insist  upon  and  continue  their  past  policy  of  limiting  the 
action  of  the  country  to  defensive  warfare  only,  against  the 
Indians.  Of  this,  the  people  on  the  frontier  had,  long  since, 
been  fully  satisfied  ; and  against  it,  had  frequently  uttered 
their  earnest  remonstrance.  A sudden  and  destructive  blow 


584 


ARMY  MARCHES  UNDER  SEVIER, 


against  the  heart  of  the  Indian  nation,  was  loudly  called  for, 
and  was  immediately  authorized  by  Secretary  Smith,  then 
acting  as  Governor,  in  the  absence  of  Blount.  The  army 
already  at  Ish's,  under  General  Sevier,  was  reinforced  by  ad- 
ditional troops  from  Washington  District,  commanded  by 
Colonel  John  Blair,  and  from  Hamilton  District,  under  Col. 
Christian.  Major  Elholm  acted  as  Adjutant  on  this  cam- 
paign. Thus  reinforced,  the  army  under  Sevier  amounted 
to  six  or  seven  hundred  mounted  men.  They  crossed  Little 
Tennessee  River  at  a ford  above  Lowry’s  Ferry,  and  con- 
tinued a rapid  march  across  Hiwassee  and  Amoyah,  till  they 
reached  Estinaula,  an  Indian  village.  Here  they  found 
abundant  supplies  of  grain  and  meat,  and  remained  there 
two  or  three  days.  Having  burned  the  town,  which  they 
found  deserted,  their  encampment  was  formed  in  its  imme- 
diate vicinity,  and  upon  the  banks  of  Estinaula  River,  in 
two  parallel  lines — Christian’s  regiment  nearest  to  the  river, 
and  Blair’s  a little  south  of  it,  with  sentries  around  it  in  all 
directions.  The  flower  of  the  enemies’  warriors  were 
around  the  camp,  and  would,  doubtless,  make  a night  attack. 
Noises  were  heard  at  the  approach  of  evening,  from  the  sur- 
rounding woods,  which  indicated  that  mischief  was  medita- 
ted. Tlie  horses  were  tethered  at  a point  where  they  were 
least  likely  to  be  stolen ; sentinels  were  doubled,  and  the 
whole  army  laid  upon  their  arms  Late  at  night,  the  Indians 
were  heard  by  the  sentries,  some  hundred  yards  distant,  ap- 
proaching in  a stealthy,  slow,  uniform  movement,  creeping 
abreast  over  the  high  sedge  grass.  They  were  allowed  to 
come  so  near,  that  the  sentries  heard  the  Indians  cock  their 
guns.  At  that  instant,  their  own  guns  were  fired,  and  they 
then  retired,  in  a sidewise  direction,  to  the  camp.  The  In- 
dians discharged  their  guns,  and,  at  once,  set  up  the  war- 
whoop  and  yells  of  defiance.  The  sidewise  movement  of 
the  retiring  sentries  saved  most  of  them  from  the  aim  of  the 
Indians.  Gaut,  by  pursuing  a straight  course,  was  danger- 
ously, but  not  mortally,  wounded. 

The  Indian  fire  produced  some  confusion  in  the  camp,  du- 
ring which,  some  captive  squaws  and  children  escaped.  But 
the  warriors  kept  at  such  a distance,  that  the  fire  from  the 


AND  ENCOUNTERS  THE  INDIANS  AT  ETOWAH. 


585 


camp  could  not  reach  them  ; and  the  darkness  prevented  an 
outward  movement  against  them.  The  Indians,  soon  after, 
withdrew — having  inflicted  not  a single  wound,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  that  received  by  Gaut. 

The  next  night,  the  camp-fires  were  kept  burning  at  the 
same  place,  but  the  army  decamped  to  the  west  The  In- 
dians, during  the  night,  made  another  attack  ; but,  firing 
only  at  the  vacated  camp  and  finding  their  mistake,  suddenly 
withdrew. 

Finding  no  Indians  to  attack  at  Estinaula,  Sevier  took  up 
the  line  of  march  in  the  direction  of  Etowah,  with  the  Coosa 
on  the  right.  Near  the  confluence  of  these  streams,  and 
immediately  below,  was  the  Indian  town,  Etowah.  The 
river  of  the  same  name  had  to  be  crossed  before  the  town 
could  be  attacked.  Firing  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  the 
town,  and  apprehending  a general  attack,  Sevier  judiciously 
ordered  a halt,  and  sent  forward  a detachment  from  the  main 
body  against  the  town.  By  mistake  of  Carey  and  Findleston, 
the  guides,  the  party  was  led  to  a ferry  half  a mile  below 
the  fording  place,  and  immediately  opposite  the  town.  A 
few  of  the  foremost  plunged  into  the  stream  and  were  soon 
in  swimming  water,  and  pushing  their  way  to  the  opposite 
bank.  The  main  body,  however,  discovering  the  mistake, 
wheeled  to  the  left  and  rode  rapidly  up  the  river  to  the  ford, 
where  they  crossed  with  the  design  of  riding  down  to  the 
town,  and  attacking: it  without  delay. 

The  Indians,  having  previously  obtained  information  of 
Sevier’s  approach,  had  made  excavations  in  the  bank  of  the 
river  nearest  their  town,  each  of  them  large  enough  for  one 
man  to  lie  with  his  gun  poised,  and  with  a leisurely  aim  to 
shoot  our  men  as  soon  as  they  came  in  sight.  In  these,  the 
warriors  were  safely  entrenched.  But  perceiving  the  move- 
ment of  horsemen  down  the  river,  and  suspecting  some  other 
project  'was  devised  against  their  town,  they  quitted,  precipi- 
tately, their  places  of  ambush,  crossed  the  river,  and  hurried 
down  on  its  other  side  to  defend  it. 

A fortunate  mistake  of  the  pilots,  thus  drew  this  formidable 
party  out  of  its  entrenchments,  exposed  it  in  the  open  field, 
and  left  to  the  invaders  a safe  passage  through  that  bank  of 


586 


DECISIVE  BATTLE  AT  ROME. 


the  river  so  recently  lined  with  armed  men.  But  for  this 
mistake,  the  horsemen  could  not  have  escaped  a most  deadly 
fire,  and,  in  all  probability,  a summary  defeat.  But  the 
method  of  fighting  was  now  entirely  changed.  The  crossing 
by  the  horsemen  was  too  quickly  done,  to  allow  the  Indians 
to  regain  their  hiding  places ; their  ranks  were  scattered, 
and  the  main  body  of  them,  hemmed  in  between  the  assail- 
ants and  the  river.  This  done,  the  men  dismounted,  betook 
themselves  to  trees,  and  poured  in  a deadly  fire  upon  the 
enemy.  They  resisted  bravely,  under  the  lead  of  the  King 
Fisher,  one  of  their  most  distinguished  Braves.  He  made  a 
daring  sally  within  a few  yards  of  where  one  of  the  partyj 
Hugh  L.  White,  was  standing,  and  the  action  was  becoming 
sharp  and  spirited,  when  White  and  a few  comrades  near 
him,  levelling  their  rifles,  this  formidable  champion  fell,  and 
his  warriors  immediately  fled.  Three  brave  men  lost  their 
lives  in  this  engagement.  Pruett  and  Weir  died  on  the  spot — 
Wallace,  the  next  day. 

The  town  was  set  on  fire  late  in  the  evening,  and  the 
troops  encamped  near  it.  During  the  night  they  were  attacked 
by  the  Indians.  Benjamin  McNutt,  Esq.,  and  William  Gaut, 
were  standing  as  sentinels  in  an  exposed  point  of  the  en- 
campment. The  Indians  approached  stealthily  upon  them, 
and  each  of  them  fired.  Gaut  was  shot  through  the  body} 
was  carried  several  days’  march  on  a litter,  but  ultimately 
recovered. 

The  beautiful  town  of  Rome,  in  Georgia,  is  near  the  place 
where  the  battle  of  Etowah  was  fought. 

After  the  engagement,  the  Indians  made  good  their  escape 
into  the  secret  passes  of  the  adjoining  country.  The  army, 
after  the  town  was  burned,  rescued  from  the  places  in  which 
they  were  obliged  to  conceal  themselves,  Col.  Kelly  and  the 
five  horsemen,  who  had  swam  their  horses  at  the  lower 
crossing. 

Sevier  having  accomplished  thus  much  of  the  object  of  the 
expedition,  desired  to  extend  his  conquests  to  Indian  towns 
still  lower  down  the  country.  The  guides  informed  him  that 
there  was  but  one  accessible  path  by  which  the  army  could 
reach  these  distant,  villages,  and  that  it  could  be  passed  only 


sevier’s  official  report. 


587 


under  disadvantageous  circumstances.  Little  hope  remained 
of  meeting  the  enemy  in  such  numbers  as  to  inflict  upon  the 
perpetrators  of  the  mischief  at  Cavet’s,  suitable  punishment 
for  their  atrocities.  They  had  been  expelled  from  the  fron- 
tier— the  heart  of  their  country  had  been  penetrated — their 
warriors  defeated  and  baffled,  and  their  towns  and  crops 
burned  up  and  destroyed.  Orders  for  the  return  march  were 
given,  and  the  aitmy  soon  after  reached  their  homes  in  safety.* 

Sevier  took  command  again  at  Ish’s,  from  which  place 
he  made  to  Gov.  Blount  his  official  report : 

Ish’s  Mill,  25th  October,  llOS. 

Sir: — In  obedience  to  an  order  from  Secretary  Smith,  I marched  in 
pureuit  of  the  large  body  of  Indians,  who,  on  the  25th  of  last  month, 
did  the  mischief  in  Knox  county,  near  the  Grassy  Valley.  For  the  safety 
and  security  of  our  army,  I crossed  at  one  of  the  upper  fords,  on  the 
Tennessee  River,  below  the  mountains.  We  then  bent  our  course  for 
Hiwassee,  with  expectations  of  striking  the  trail,  and  before  we  reached 
that  river,  we  discovered  four  large  ones,  making  directly  into  the 
mountains.  We  proceeded  across  the  Hiwassee,  and  directed  our  march 
for  Estanaula,  on  the  Coosa  River,  at  which  place  we  arrived  on  the 
14th  instant,  discovering  on  our  way  further  trails  leading  to  the  afore- 
said place.  We  there  made  some  Cherokee  prisoners,  who  informed 
us  that  John  Watts  headed  the  army  lately  out  on  our  frontiers  ; that 
the  same  was  composed  of  Indians,  more  or  less,  from  every  town  in 
the  Cherokee  nation  ; that  from  the  Turkey’s  town,  Sallyquoah,  Coosa- 
waytah,  and  several  other  principal  ones,  almost  to  a man  was  out, 
joined  by  a large  number  of  the  Upper  Creeks,  who  had  passed  that 
place  on  their  return,  only  a few  days  since,  and  had  made  for  a town 
at  the  mouth  of  Hightower  River.  We,  after  refreshing  the  troops, 
marched  for  that  place,  taking  the  path  that  leads  to  that  town,  along 
which  the  Creeks  had  marched,  in  five  large  trails.  On  the  llth  inst., 
in  the  afternoon,  we  arrived  at  the  forks  of  Coosa  and  Hightower  Rivers. 
Colonel  Kelly  was  ordered,  with  a part  of  the  Knox  regiment,  to  endea- 
vour to  cross  the  Hightower.  The  Creeks,  and  a number  of  Cherokees, 
had  entrenched  themselves  to  obstruct  the  passage.  Colonel  Kelly  and 
his  party  passed  down  the  river,  half  a mile  below  the  ford,  and  began 
to  cross  at  a private  place,  where  there  was  no  ford.  Himself  and  a 
few  others  swam  over  the  river;  the  Indians  discovering  this  movement, 
immediately  left  their  entrenchments,  and  ran  down  the  river  to  oppose 
their  passage,  expecting,  as  I suppose,  the  whole  intended  crossing  at  the 
lower  place.  Capt.  Evans,  immediately,  with  his  company  of  mounted 

* Narratives  of  the  late  James  Rogers  and  of  Benjamin  M’Nutt,  Esq.,  of  Knox 
county,  each  of  whom  was  on  this  expedition,  and  participated  largely  in  military 
and  civil  services  during  the  infancy  of  the  country.  Squire  McNutt  still  survives, 
and  has  furnished  other  details  of  early  times  in  Tennessee. 


588 


ETOWAH  CAMPAIGN  CLOSES 


infantry,  strained  their  horses  back  to  the  upper  ford,  and  began  to  cross 
the  river.  Very  few  had  got  to  the  south  bank,  before  the  Indians,  who 
had  discovered  their  mistake,  returned  and  received  them  furiously  at 
the  rising  of  the  bank.  An  engagement  instantly  took  place,  and  be- 
came very  warm,  and,  notwithstanding  the  enemy  were  at  least  four  to 
one  in  numbers,  besides  the  advantage  of  situation,  Captain  Evans,  with 
his  heroic  company,  put  them  in  a short  time  entirely  to  flight.  They 
left  several  dead  on  the  ground,  and  were  seen  to  carry  others  off  both 
on  foot  and  horse.  Bark  and  trails  of  blood  from  the  wounded,  were 
to  be  seen  in  every  quarter.  Their  encampment  fell  into  our  hands, 
with  a number  of  their  guns,  many  of  which  were  of  the  Spanish  sort, 
with  their  budgets,  blankets  and  match  coats,  together  with  some  horses. 
We  lost  three  men  in  this  engagement,  which  is  all  that  have  fell  during 
the  time  of  our  route,  although  this  last  attack  was  the  fourth  the  enemy 
had  made  upon  us,  but  in  the  others,  repulsed  without  loss.  After  the 
last  engagement,  we  crossed  the  main  Coosa,  where  they  had  thrown  up 
some  works  and  evacuated ; they  suffered  us  to  pass  unmolested.  We 
then  proceeded  on  our  way  down  the  main  river,  near  the  Turnip  Moun- 
tain, destroying,  in  our  way,  several  Creek  and  Cherokee  towns,  which 
they  had  settled  together  on  each  side  of  the  river,  and  from  which  they 
have  all  fled,  with  apparent  precipitation,  leaving  almost  every  thing  be- 
hind them.  Neither  did  they,  after  the  last  engagement,  attempt  to 
annoy  or  interrupt  us  on  our  march,  in  any  manner  whatever.  I have 
great  reason  to  believer  their  ardour  and  spirit  were  well  checked.  The 
party  flogged  at  Hightower,  were  those  which  had  been  out  with  Watts. 
There  are  three  of  our  men  slightly  wounded,  and  two  or  three  horses 
killed ; but  the  Indians  did  not,  as  I h ave  heard  of,  get  a single  horse 
from  us  the  time  we  were  out.  We  took  and  destroyed  near  three  hun- 
dred beeves,  many  of  which  were  of  the  best  and  largest  kind.  Of 
course,  their  losing  so  much  provision  must  distress  them  very  much. 
Many  women  and  children  might  have  been  taken ; but,  from  motives 
of  humanity,  I did  not  encourage  it  to  be  done,  and  several  taken  were 
suffered  to  make  their  escape.  Your  Excellency  knows  the  disposition 
of  many  that  were  out  on  this  expedition,  and  can  readily  account  for 
this  conduct. 

The  Etowah  campaign  was  the  last  military  service  ren- 
dered by  Sevier,  and  the  only  one  for  which  he  ever  received 
compensation  from  the  Government.  For  nearly  twenty 
years  he  had  been  constantly  engaged  in  incessant  and  un- 
remitted service.  He  was  in  thirty-five  battles,  some  of 
them  hardly  contested  and  decisive.  He  was  never  wounded, 
and  in  all  his  campaigns  and  battles,  was  successful  and 
the  victor.  He  was  careful  of  the  lives  of  his  soldiery,  and, 
although  he  always  led  them  to  the  victory,  he  lost,  in  all 
his  engagements  with  the  enemy,  but  fifty-six  men.  The 
secret  of  his  invariable  success,  was  the  impetuosity  and 


THE  MILITARY  LIFE  OF  SEVIER. 


5S9 


vigour  of  his  charge.  Himself  an  accomplished  horseman, 
a graceful  rider,  passionately  fond  of  a spirited  charger, 
always  well  mounted  at  the  head  of  his  dragoons,  he  was  at 
once  in  the  midst  of  the  fight.  His  rapid  movement,  always 
unexpected  and  sudden,  disconcerted  the  enemy,  and  at  the 
first  onset  decided  the  victory.  He  was  the  first  to  introduce 
the  Indian  w’ar- whoop  in  his  battles  with  the  savages,  the 
tories,  or  the  British.  More  harmless  than  the  leaden  missile, 
it  was  not  less  efficient,  and  was  always  the  precursor  and 
attendant  of  victory.  The  prisoners  at  King’s  Mountain 
said,  “ We  could  stand  your  fighting,  but  your  cursed  hal- 
looing confused  us;  we  thought  the  mountains  had  regiments 
instead  of  companies.”  Sevier’s  enthusiasm  was  contagious  ; 
he  imparted  it  to  his  men.  He  was  the  idol  of  the  soldiery, 
and  his  orders  were  obeyed  cheerfully  and  executed  with 
precision.  In  a military  service  of  twenty  years,  one  in- 
stance is  not  known  of  insubordination  on  the  part  of  the 
soldier  or  of  discipline  by  the  commander. 

Sevier’s  troops  were  generally  his  neighbours,  and  the 
members  of  his  own  family.  Often  no  public  provision  was 
made  for  their  pay,  equipments  or  subsistence.  These  were 
furnished  by  himself,  being  at  once  Commander,  Commis- 
sariat and  Paymaster.  The  soldiery  rendezvoused  at  his 
house,  which  often  became  a cantonment — his  fields,  ripe  or 
unripe,  were  given  up  to  his  horsemen  ; powder  and  lead, 
provisions,  clothing,  even  all  he  had,  belonged  to  his  men. 

The  Etowah  campaign  terminated  the  military  services 
of  General  Sevier.  Hereafter,  we  will  have  to  record  his 
not  less  important  agency  in  the  civil  affairs  of  Tennessee. 

The  notice  of  the  Paymaster,  as  published  in  the  Gazette, 
1 ^ of  the  payment  of  the  troops  in  the  service  of  the 

? Territory,  furnishes  the  only  list  that  can  now  be  pro- 
cured, of  the  captains  who  served  in  1792  and  1793.  They 
are  here  given  : Captains  Hugh  Beard,  Lusk,  Brown,  Rains, 
Doherty,  Briant,  Henley,  Tate,  Christian,  Gillespie,  Samples, 
Crawford,  Cooper,  Grier,  Milliken,  Childers,  White,  Gregg, 
Allison,  King,  Marshall,  Bunch,  Chisum,  Richardson,  Evans, 
Copeland,  Cantrell,  Murray,  Shannon,  Cordery,  Nash,  Parker, 
Edmonson,  Frazier,  Wm.  Blackmore,  Johnston,  Hoggat,  G. 


500 


FUNERAL  PROCESSION  ATTACKED. 


D.  Blackmore,  Walker;  Lieutenant  G.  L.  Davidson;  Cornet 
Milligan.  For  services  in  1793,  Captain  Cox,  Lieutenants 
Birds,  Hubbard  and  Henderson,  Sergeant  McClellan. 

While  Sevier  was  absent  with  so  many  men,  on  the  Eto- 
wah campaign,  the  Indians  came  in  suddenly  and  killed,  on 
the  south  of  the  river,  above  Dandridge,  a lad  and  a woman. 
They  were  found,  stuck  in  the  throat  like  hogs,  the  skin  ta- 
ken entirely  off  their  heads,  and  the  bodies  le/t  naked.  A 
party  of  friends  accompanied  their  remains  to  a burying- 
ground  three  miles  off.  Two  of  these,  Cunningham  and  Ja- 
cob Jenkins,  incautiously  went  on  some  distance  before  the 
rest.  A body  of  fifty  Indians  fired  upon  them.  The  former 
was  killed,  scalped,  and  bruised  with  war-clubs.  He  was 
found,  directly  after,  by  the  company,  carried  to  the  burial 
place,  and  interred  with  the  other  two  in  the  same  grave. 
Jenkins  received  several  bullets  shot  through  his  clothes,  and 
a blow  from  a war-club  ; but  his  horse  being  struck  with  a 
ball,  dashed  down  a precipice,  and  brought  off  the  rider  in 
safety. 

Hearing  of  this  massacre  ol  his  friends,  W.  1J.  Cunning- 
ham went  from  his  home  on  Boyd’s  Creek,  for  the  purpose  of 
advising  them  to  remove  to  the  stronger  station  at  Mc- 
Gaughey’s  ; and  to  bring  home  with  him  his  son  Jesse,  (then 
a little  boy,)  who  was  staying  at  the  Buffalo  Lick.  He  car- 
ried his  little  son  before  him,  the  distance  of  thirty  miles; 
leaving  the  main  road,  and  pursuing  by-paths,  he  escaped  the 
attack  of  the  Indians  till  he  got  within  about  half  a mile  of 
the  fort,  when  he  passed  through  a party  of  them,  thirty  in 
number.  It  was  now  night,  and  he  escaped  unhurt.*  The 
Indians  prowled  around  the  station,  but  finding  it  too  well 
defended  to  justify  an  assault,  they  broke  open  the  stable 
doors,  stole  the  horses  of  the  besieged,  and  withdrew.  The 
condition  of  the  country  did  not  allow  of  pursuit. 

Two  weeks  after,  Mr.  Cunningham  was  going  out  from  the 
fort  alone.  At  the  distance  of  two  hundred  yards  from  the 
fort  gate,  he  was  fired  upon  by  a party  of  ten  Indians,  lying 

-The  son,  whom  he  also  carried  in  safety  through  this  imminent  exposure,  is 
the  Rev.  Jesse  Cunningham,  of  Monroe  county,  Tennessee. 


SPENCER  KILLED  AT  SPENCEr’s  HILL. 


591 


in  ambush  fifteen  steps  from  him.  He  escaped  every  ball, 
but  the  Indians  having  intercepted  his  return  to  the  gate, 
chased  him  in  the  opposite  direction.  The  fire  from  one  of 
their  guns  proved  effectual,  and  wounded  him.  He  turned 
the  corner  of  a fence,  and  would  have  been  soon  overtaken, 
but  that  the  men  in  the  fort  sallied  out  and  made  pursuit  of 
the  Indians  ; upon  discovering  which,  the  Indians  withdrew 
. to  their  retreats  in  the  mountains. 

Information  reached  Knoxville  that,  since  the  expedition 

( carried  on  against  the  Cherokees  by  General  Sevier, 
1794  j J ’ 

( and  which  terminated  with  the  battle  of  Etowah,  the 

Indians  had,  in  a great  measure,  ceased  their  hostilities 
against  the  Cumberland  settlements  ; and  some  of  the  peo- 
ple there  solicited,  through  Col.  Ford,  one  of  the  members 
of  the  Territorial  Legislature,  that  General  Sevier  would 
undertake  a future  campaign  in  the  same  direction,  as  the 
most  effectual  means  of  procuring  a permanent  peace. 

From  the  same  source  the  information  was  communicated, 
that  “ a campaign  was  going  against  the  Spanish  posses- 
sions by  French  troops,  now  at  the  mouth  of  Cumberland, 
and  garrisoned  at  that  place.  Gen.  George  Rogers  Clarke 
has  the  command  of  this  expedition,  and  they  are  to  embark 
at  the  mouth  of  Cumberland.” 

It  may  be  here  remarked,  that  the  disposition  to  engage  in 
the  projected  campaign  never  became  general  in  the  Terri- 
tory, and,  meeting  with  little  s}’ mpathy  from  the  masses,  was 
soon  after  abandoned. 

# 

1794,  April  1. — A party  of  Indians,  thirty  or  forty  in  num- 
ber, ambuscaded  a path  near  Calvin’s  Block-house,  on 
Crooked  Creek,  and  fired  upon  Samuel  Wear,  his  two  sons 
and  William  McMurray.  They  escaped  unhurt. 

A more  tragical  issue  attended  an  attack  made  the  same 
day  by  a party  of  forty  Indians,  near  the  Crab-Orchard,  upon 
a companv  of  travellers.  Thomas  Sharp  Spencer  was  killed, 
and  James  Walker  was  wounded.  The  rest  of  the  party 
escaped  to  the  Point  Block-house.  The  hill  down  which  the 
whites  were  descending,  and  on  which  Spencer  was  killed, 
is  still  known  as  Spencer’s  Hill. 

April  2. — Twenty-five  Indians  secreted  themselves  at 


592 


DREADFUL  MASSACRE  OF  MR.  CASTEEL. 


night,  near  the  Block-house,  at  the  mouth  of  Town  Creek, 
and,  next  morning,  fired  upon  and  killed  William  Green. 
Attempting  to  storm  the  block-house,  the  Indians  were  re- 
pulsed, and  several  of  their  warriors  wounded. 

On  the  15th,  the  Indians  stole  ten  horses  from  Mr.  Gibbs. 
More  than  fifty  horses  had  been  stolen  in  that  neighbour- 
hood within  a few  days. 

Amongst  other  acts  of  Indian  hostility  perpetrated  in 
Knox  county,  was  one  which  occurred  on  the  22d  April, 
1794.  William  Casteel  lived  south  of  French  Broad,  about 
nine  miles  above  Knoxville,  and  two  miles  from  the  then 
residence  of  Doctor  Cozby.  The  latter  had  been  an  old  In- 
dian fighter,  from  the  first  settlement  of  the  country,  and 
was,  of  course,  held  in  deadly  hatred  by  the  Indians,  and  had 
often  been  selected  as  the  victim  of  their  vengeance.  He 
had  his  house  always  well  prepared  for  defence,  and  never 
allowed  himself  to  be  taken  by  surprise.  At  evening,  of  the 
22d,  his  domestic  animals  gave  the  usual  tokens  of  the 
presence  of  Indians,  when,  observing  from  his  house,  he 
could  discern,  obscurely,  the  stealthy  march,  in  Indian  file, 
of  twenty  warriors  passing  across  the  end  of  a short  lane, 
and  concealing  themselves  in  the  fence  corners  and  the 
adjoining  woods.  The  door  was  at  once  barricaded,  the  fire 
extinguished,  two  guns  primed  afresh,  and  with  these  he 
prepared  to  defend  his  castle  and  his  family,  consisting  of 
his  wife  and  several  children,  one  of  whom  only  could  shoot. 
A space  of  more  than  one  hundred  yards  had  been  cleared 
around  his  building,  and  there  was  light  enough  to  see  the 
approach  of  an  assailant  within  that  distance.  From  the 
port-holes,  in  each  angle  of  the  house,  a constant  watch 
was  kept,  and  orders  were  given  by  Cozby,  in  a loud  voice, 
to  the  members  of  his  family,  as  if  commanding  a platoon 
of  soldiers.  The  stratagem  succeeded.  An  hour  before 
day  the  Indians  withdrew,  and  went  off  in  the  direction  of 
Casteel’s  cabin.  Early  next  morning  Anthony  Ragan  came 
to  Casteel’s,  and  found  him  dead,  from  a lick  received  on 
his  head  from  a war  club  ; he  was  scalped,  and  lying  near 
the  fire,  dressed,  and  with  leggins  on,  having  arose  early  for 
the  purpose,  as  was  supposed,  of  accompanying  Reagan  to  a 


MASSACRE  OF  A WHOLE  FAMILY. 


593 


hunt,  which  had  been  agreed  on  the  preceding  day.  Mrs. 
Casteel  was  found  on  the  floor,  scalped  in  two  places — a 
proof  that  it  required  two  warriors  to  conquer  her — her  night- 
cap with  several  holes  cut  through  it,  a butcher  knife  stuck 
into  her  side,  one  arm  broken,  and  a part  of  the  hand  of  the 
other  arm  cut  off.  She  seemed  to  have  made  resistance  with 
an  axe,  found  near  her,  stained  with  blood.  One  of  the 
daughters  received  a stab,  which,  piercing  through  the  body, 
went  into  the  bed-clothes.  She  and  two  brothers  were 
scalped.  The  youngest  child,  two  years  old,  having  the 
cranium  entirely  denuded  of  the  scalp,  was  thrown  into  the 
chimney  corner.  Elizabeth,  the  oldest  daughter,  ten  years 
old,  now  Mrs.  Dunlap,  still  living  near  the  scene  of  the  hor- 
rid massacre  of  her  father’s  whole  family,  was  found  welter- 
ing in  her  blood,  flowing  from  six  wounds  inflicted  with  a 
tomahawk.  Besides  these,  she  was  also  scalped.  Reagan 
gave  the  alarm  to  the  settlement ; urgent  pursuit  was  im- 
mediately made,  but  the  savages  escaped.  While  prepa- 
rations were  made  for  the  interment  of  the  massacred  fami- 
ly, Elizabeth  showed  signs  of  life,  moaning  when  an  attempt 
was  made,  by  Cob  Ramsey,  who  was  present,  to  close  one 
of  the  gashes  upon  her  head.  She  was  taken  to  Mr.  Shook’s, 
who  then  owned  Major  Swan’s  mills,  where  Doctor  Cozby 
dressed  her  wounds.  She  did  not  recover  for  two  years. 
The  rest  of  the  family,  six  in  number,  were  buried  in  one 
grave,  under  a black-oak  tree,  still  standing.  Mr.  Casteel 
was  a soldier  of  the  Revolution,  from  Green  Brier  county, 
Va.,  and  had  never  received  any  thing  for  his  services.  Of 
the  heroic  wife  and  mother,  nothing  more  is  known.  An 
effort  has  been  made  to  procure  a pension  for  the  surviving 
daughter.  Thus  far  it  has  been  fruitless. 

Governor  Blount  found  it  almost  impossible  to  restrain  the 
inhabitants  south  of  French  Broad,  where  this  massacre 
took  place,  from  an  immediate  invasion  of  the  Indian  terri- 
tory. His  efforts  in  this  would  not  have  succeeded,  but  for 
the  timely  assistance  and  advice  of  the  civil  officers  of  Knox 
county,  south  of  the  river.  These  met  in  committee,  June 
20,  at  the  house  of  James  Beard  : Present — James  White, 

Samuel  Newell,  William  Wallace,  William  Hambleton, 
38 


594 


scott’s  boat  captured  and  his  crew  killed. 


William  Lowry,  David  Craig  and  Thomas  McCulloch.  An 
address  to  their  fellow  citizens  was  agreed  upon,  printed  and 
circulated.  It  is  an  ably  written  document,  and  had  great 
influence  in  tranquillizing  the  people  and  pursuading  them  to 
acquiesce  in  the  design  of  the  Government,  to  obtain  peace 
by  negotiation,  rather  than  by  arms. 

May  8. — Post-offices  were  not,  at  this  date,  extended  so  far 
in  the  interior  as  Knoxville.  It  was  expected  by  Mr.  Muh- 
lenberg, Postmaster  General,  that  against  October,  this  facil- 
ity would  be  afforded  to  the  people  of  the  Territory. 

We  copy  or  condense  from  Haywood  : 

“In  June,  Scott’s  boat  left  Knoxville  for  Natchez,  on  board  of  which 
were  William  Scott,  John  Pettegrew,  William  Pettegrew,  Mr.  Tate,  Mr. 
Young,  John  Harkins,  three  women,  four  children,  and  twenty  negroes. 
As  this  boat  passed  down  the  Tennessee,  it  was  tired  upon  by  the  Lower 
Cherokees  of  the  Running  Water,  and  at  the  Long  Island  village,  with- 
out receiving  any  injury.  On  the  other  hand,  the  fire  was  returned,  and 
two  Indians  were  wounded.  A large  party  of  a hundred  and  fifty 
Indians  then  collected,  headed  by  Unacala,  the  same  who  was  wounded 
at  the  attack  upon  Buchanan’s  Station,  in  September,-  1792,  and  they 
pursued  the  boat  to  the  Muscle  Shoals,  where  they  overtook  it.  They 
killed  all  the  white  people  who  were  in  it,  made  prisoners  of  the  ne- 
groes, and  plundered  the  boat  of  its  lading.  The  white  people,  in 
making  resistance,  killed  three  Indians  and  wounded  a fourth. 

“On  the  24th  of  July,  a party  of  Indians  killed  John  Ish  at  his 
plough,  in  his  field,  within  one  hundred  and  eighty  yards  of  his  own 
block-house,  and  scalped  him.  Ish  lived  eighteen  miles  below  Knox- 
ville. He  left  a wife  and  eleven  children,  the  eldest  not  more  than 
eleven  years  of  age.  Major  King  and  Lieutenant  Cunningham,  with 
John  Boggs  and  ten  other  Cherokees,  sent  by  the  Hanging  Maw  in 
pursuit  of  the  offenders,  returned  a few  days  afterwards  with  a Creek 
fellow,  whom  the  Hanging  Maw  wished  to  scalp,  but  was  dissuaded 
from  his  purpose,  and  took  only  the  war-lock,  with  which  they  danced 
the  scalp  dance  all  night.  But  the  Cherokees  apprehended  for  this  act 
the  resentment  of  the  Creek  nation.  Major  King,  in  the  pursuit,  camo 
upon  the  trail  of  the  murderers,  leading  into  the  path  that  was  travelled 
from  Coyatee  to  Hiwassee,  which  he  kept  to  a point  within  two  miles  of 
Hiwassee.  He  there  received  information  that  those  he  was  in  pursuit 
of,  passed  with  a fresh  scalp  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  and 
would,  it  was  supposed,  tarry  all  night  at  Wococee,  eight  miles  ahead. 
The  pursuers  went  to  Wococee,  and,  finding  the  murderers  still  ahead, 
they  continued  the  pursuit  till  they  were  overtaken,  by  a runner  from 
Hiwassee,  with  information  that  one  of  Ish’s  murderers  was  behind, 
stopped  at  a little  village  two  miles  from  Hiwassee.  Despairing  to  over- 
take the  main  body,  they  turned  back  and  found  the  Creek,  as  the  run- 
ner had  reported,  in  the  house  of  a Cherokee.  After  some  consultation 


m’clelland’s  repulse  ok  the  creeks. 


595 


whether  the  Cherokees  or  white  people  should  kill  or  take  him,  the 
Maw’s  son,  Willioe,  with  three  others,  seized  and  tied  him.  Having' 
tied  him,  four  warriors  took  him  in  charge,  who  were  particularly  care- 
ful that  he  should  not  escape  until  he  was  delivered,  confined  in  cords, 
to  the  agent  of  the  United  States,  Mr.  McKee,  at  the  Tellico  Block- 
house, on  the  evening  of  the  28th  of  July.  The  Governor  issued  a 
commission  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  for  the  trial  of  this  Indian,  pursuant- 
to  the  stipulations  contained  in  the  treaty  of  New- York.  A court  was 
held  by  Judge  Anderson,  and  an  indictment  was  found  by  the  grand 
jury  against  Obongpohego,'"  of  Toccaucaugee,  on  Oakfuskee.  When 
charged,  he  confessed  the  fact.  But  the  court  permitted  him  to  with- 
draw his  plea  and  to  plead  not  guilty ; which  being  done,  the  trial  pro- 
ceeded, and  the  petit  jury  found  him  guilty  of  the  murder  of  John  Ish, 
as  charged  in  the  bill  of  indictment. 

“ On  the  13th,  Lieutenant  McClelland,  who  had  with  him  thirty-seven 
of  Captain  Evans’s  company,  was  attacked  on  the  Cumberland  path, 
near  the  Crab-Orchard,  eighteen  miles  from  South-West  Point,  by  a 
body  of  Creeks,  consisting  of  upwards  of  one  hundred  warriors  ; he 
made  a brave  and  soldierly  defence,  twice  repelling  the  Creeks,  but  was 
finally  compelled  to  retreat,  with  the  loss  of  four  men  killed,  one 
wounded,  four  missing,  thirty-one  horses,  thirty-eight  saddles  and  bridles, 
blankets,  great-coats  and  provisions.  On  the  side  of  the  Creeks  the 
loss  was  not  ascertained,  but  from  the  obstinacy  and  bravery  of  the 
defence,  and  the  report  of  Lieutenant  McClelland  and  others,  there  was 
reason  to  believe  they  lost  from  twelve  to  sixteen  ; the  Creek  commander 
was  conspicuously  bold,  and  was  numbered  amongst  the  slain.  The 
white  men  who  were  killed,  were  Paul  Cunningham,  Daniel  Hitchcock, 
William  Flennegan,  Stephen  Renfroe;  Abraham  Byrd  was  wounded; 
the  four  men  who  were  missing  from  the  detachment  after  the  action, 
afterwards  reached  South-West  Point.  William  Lea,  one  of  that  num- 
ber, arrived  on  the  18th,  and  reported  that  he  had  been  made  prisoner 
by  the  Indians,  and  had  escaped  from  them. 

“On  the  20th  of  December,  a party  of  Indians,  about  two  hours  after 
dark,  secreted  themselves  within  twenty  feet  of  the  door  of  Thomas 
Cowan,  and  fired  upon  his  wife  and  son  as  they  stepped  into  the  yard, 
and  pierced  the  clothes  of  the  latter  with  eight  balls,  but  he  escaped, 
under  cover  of  the  night,  into  the  woods,  and  Mrs.  Cowan  returned  into 
the  house  unhurt.  The  firing  alarmed  the  neighbourhood,  and  Captain 
Baird  was  at  Cowan’s  with  twenty  men,  within  an  hour  and  a half,  and 
patroled  the  woods  the  whole  night  in  search  of  the  Indians,  hoping 
they  would  strike  up  a fire  by  which  he  could  discover  them  ; on  the 
next  day,  by  order  of  Governor  Blount,  he  went  in  pursuit  of  them.” 

Hanging  Maw  declared  that  his  nation  would  no  longer 
listen  to  Spanish  emissaries  and  agents,  and  that  the  Upper 
and  Lower  Towns  were  now  disposed  for  peace.  His  over- 
tures had  scarcely  reached  the  Governor,  when  a party  of 

* Angli.ee — “ Dance  upon  nothing.”  His  name  was  thus  significant  of  his  fate- 
He  was  hung. 


596 


MURDER  OF  VALENTINE  SEVIER’S  SONS. 


Indians — principally  Creeks — nearly  one  thousand  strong, 
marched  through  the  country  towards  the  white  settlements. 
Governor  Blount  ordered  cut  Colonel  White,  with. half  of  the 
military  force  of  Knox  county'',  to  oppose  them.  The  Chero- 
kee women  and  children  were  brought  to  the  north  side  of 
the  Tennessee,  and  placed  under  the  protection  of  the  block- 
houses, and  the  warriors  of  the  Upper  Towns  agreed  to  co- 
operate with  Colonel  White  in  resisting  the  advancing  Creek 
army.  That  formidable  party  advanced  no  further  than 
Wills  Town,  and  there  dispersed  in  various  directions.  In- 
telligence of  the  victories  of  Wayne  over  the  North-Western 
Indians  had  reached  the  Cherokees,  who,  apprehensive  that 
the  arms  of  the  conquerors  of  their  northern  allies  would  be 
turned  against  themselves,  sued  for  peace  through  Tuca- 
latague  or  Double  Head,  a principal  chief.  Governor  Blount 
assented  to  a conference,  to  be  held  at  Tellico,  and  there 
accepted  the  proposed  friendship  with  the  Cherokees,  and 
arranged  a general  exchange  of  prisoners  and  of  all  the 
property  taken  during  the  war. 

We  have  already  mentioned,  as  given  in  Governor  Blount’s 
official  report  to  the  War  Department,  the  names  of  some 
who  fell  victims  to  Indian  massacre.  To  these  are  here 
added  others,  as  detailed  by  Haywood,  or  furnished  from 
other  sources. 

1791,  June  2. — “The  Indians  killed  John  Thompson  in  his  own  com 
field,  within  five  miles  of  Nashville;  on  the  14th  of  June  they  killed 
John  Gibson  and  wounded  McMoon,  in  Gibson’s  field,  within  eight 
miles  of  Nashville;  they  killed  Benjamin  Kirkendall  in  his  own  house, 
within  two  miles  of  Colonel  Winchester’s,  in  Sumner  county,  and  plun- 
dered his  house  of  everything  the  Indians  could  use.  In  June,  three 
travellers  from  Natchez  to  Nashville,  were  found  dead  on  the  trace  near 
the  mouth  of  Duck  River;  there  were  eight  in  company  and  only  two 
come  in  ; on  the  3d  of  July,  Thomas  Fletcher  and  two  other  men,  were 
killed  on  the  north  side  of  Cumberland,  near  the  mouth  of  Red  River — 
their  heads  were  entirely  skinned ; and  in  the  same  month,  a man  was 
killed  within  a hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  Major  Wilson’s,  on  the  pub- 
lic road,  as  he  was  riding  up  to  the  house ; on  the  12th,  Thomas  White 
was  killed  on  the  Cumberland  Mountain  and  on  the  Cumberland  trace. 

“ On  Monday,  the  19th  of  January,  1792,  the  Indians  killed  Robert 
Sevier  and  William  Sevier,  sons  of  Valentine  Sevier,  who  lived  at  the 
mouth  of  Red  River,  near  the  present  site  of  Clarkesville  : they  had 
gone  to  the  relief  of  the  distressed  families  on  the  Cumberland  River, 
who  had  sent  an  express  for  assistance  ; the  officers  of  Tennessee  county 


GENERAL  ROBERTSON  WOUNDED. 


597 


could  give  none.  A part  of  the  crew  was  on  shore  getting  provisions 
to  be  carried  in  boats  to  the  sufferers  ; the  boats  were  ahead  of  them 
when  these  young  men  discovered  the  enemy,  whom  they  mistook  for 
their  own  party,  the  Indians  having  been  seen  late  in  the  evening  at 
a considerable  distance  from  that  place.  Robert  Sevier  hailed  them, 
who  answered  they  were  friends,  with  which  answer  being  satisfied,  he 
sailed  on,  and  the  Indians  carelessly  began  to  chop  with  their  hatchets, 
till  the  young  men  in  the  boats  got  very  near  them.  Robert  said  to 
the  man  who  was  with  him  in  the  boats,  ‘ these  are  not  our  friends, 
steer  off.’  The  Indians  then  fired  upon  them  ; the  man  leaped  out  of 
the  boat,  and  left  them  in  it  about  three  rods  distant  from  the  shore. 
Before  the  25th,  William  was  found  and  buried,  but  Robert  met  a party 
of  twelve  white  men,  pursued,  but  did  not  overtake  the  Indians.  On 
the  16th  of  the  same  month,  Valentine,  a third  son  of  this  unfortunate 
parent,  also  fell  by  the  hands  of  the  savages ; he  was  in  a boat  ascend- 
ing the  river,  and  was  fired  upon  and  kihed  dead  in  it;  two  others 
were  wounded,  one  of  them,  John  Rice,  died,  and  both  he  and  Valen- 
tine were  buried  about  sixty  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Red  River. 
Until  Valentine  fell,  he  and  two  others  kept  up  so  brisk  a fire,  that  they 
intimidated  the  Indians  and  saved  the  crew.  Deprived  of  all  his  sons 
who  had  come  with  him  to  Cumberland  in  so  short  a time,  the  afflicted 
parent  wrote  to  his  brother,  General  Sevier,  to  send  to  him  his  son  John 
to  come  and  see  him  ; as,  said  he,  in  the  moving  language  of  suffering 
innocence,  I have  no  other  sons  but  small  ones.  On  the  28th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1792,  Oliver  Williams  and  Jason  Thompson,  at  night  encamped 
on  the  road  leading  from  Bledsoe’s  Station  to  the  ford  on  Cumberland 
River,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  where  they  were  tired  upon  by  In- 
dians and  both  wounded,  and  their  horses  and  other  articles  were  taken 
from  them.  About  the  beginning  of  March,  1792.  the  Indians  attacked 
the  house  of  Mr.  Thompson,  within  seven  miles  of  Nashville,  killed  and 
scalped  the  old  man,  his  wife,  his  son  and  a daughter,  and  made  pri- 
soners Mrs.  Caffrey,  her  son,  a small  boy,  and  Miss  Thompson.  On 
the  5th  of  March,  1792,  twenty-five  Indians  attacked  Brown’s  Station, 
eight  miles  from  Nashville,  and  killed  four  boys  ; on  the  6th  they  burnt 
Dunham’s  Station;  on  the  12th  they  killed  McMurray  on  his  own 
plantation,  at  the  mouth  of  Stone’s  River  ; on  the  5th  of  April,  they 
killed  Mrs.  Radcliff  and  three  children;  on  the  8th  they  killed  Benja- 
min Williams  and  party,  consisting  of  eight  men,  in  the  heart  of  the 
Cumberland  settlements ; on  Station-Camp  Creek  a boy  was  wounded 
in  three  places  ; at  the  same  place  two  boys,  sons  of  Robert  Desha, 
were  killed  in  the  field  in  the  daytime,  near  their  father’s  house,  and 
also  Kirkendall,  on  the  16th  of  May,  1792,  and  a man  on  the  1 7 th.  On 
the  24th  of  May,  1792,  General  Robertson  and  his  son  Jonathan  Rob- 
ertson, were  at  or  near  Robertson’s  Lick,  half  a mile  from  his  station, 
where  they  were  fired  upon  by  a party  of  Indians ; the  General  was 
wotinded  in  the  arm,  and  thrown  by  his  horse  amongst  the  Indians;  his 
son  was  wounded  through  the  hip,  but  seeing  the  dangerous  situation 
in  which  his  father  was,  he  dismounted,  though  so  badly  wounded,  and 
fired  on  them  as  they  rushed  towards  his  father ; this  checked  them  for 


598 


INDIAN  HOSTILITIES  RENEWED. 


a moment,  and  gave  time  to  the  General  to  get  off,  and  both  got  safely 
into  the  station.  On  the  25th,  a boy  was  wounded  near  the  General’s, 
and  died  of  his  wounds  on  the  6th  of  June  ; on  Sunday,  the  13th  of 
May,  a.  man  and  two  girls  were  fired  on  by  the  Indians  within  four  miles 
of  Nashville  ; the  man  and  one  girl  escaped,  the  other  was  tomahawked 
by  the  Indians.  On  the  26th  of  June,  1792,  Zigler’s  Station,  within 
two  miles  of  .Bledsoe’s  Lick,  was  attacked  by  a party  of  Indians,  first  in 
the  afternoon  and  again  by  night;  they  killed  five  persons,  burnt  one  iu 
the  station  and  wounded  four  others  ; three  escaped  unhurt. 

“On  the  31st  of  August,  an  attack  was  made  on  John  Birkley  and 
his  son,  in  his  peach  orchard  near  Bledsoe’s  Lick  ; the  former  was 
wounded,  but  bravely  returned  the  fire  and  killed  an  Indian  in  the  act 
of  scalping  his  son.  On  the  night  of  the  27th  of  August,  a party  of 
fifteen  Creeks  put  fire  to  Captain  Morgan’s  house  near  the  same  place; 
the  tire  was  extinguished  and  the  party  repulsed  by  the  aid  of  Captain 
Lusk’s  company,  stationed  for  the  protection  of  the  frontiers.  On  the 
preceding  night,  the  same  party  opened  the  stables  of  James  Douglass, 
and  took  his  horses ; the  next  day  Samuel  Wilson  fell  in  with  them, 
wounded  one,  put  the  party  to  flight  and  regained  the  horses,  a gun 
and  a bloody  blanket.  Shortly  before  the  11th  of  August,  1792,  the 
Indians  killed  a boy  and  wounded  a man  near  Bledsoe’s  Lick. 

“ On  Monday,  the  8th  of  October,  William  Stuart  was  killed  about 
six  miles  from  Nashville,  on  the  north  side  of  Cumberland.  On  the 
night  of  the  same  day,  the  Indian’s  burnt  Stump’s  distillery,  on  White’* 
Creek,  on  the  north  side  of  Cumberland;  On  the  9th  of  October,  a 
party  of  Indians  went  to  Sycamore  Creek,  eighteen  miles  from  Nash- 
ville, and  burnt  the  house  of  James  Frazier,  Mr.  Riley  and  of  Major 
Coffield,  a large  quantity  of  corn,  and  shot  down  a number  of  hogs. 
They  then  proceeded  to  Bushy  Creek  of  Red  River,  where  they  burnt 
the  house  of  Obadiah  Roberts,  and  took  off  a number  of  horses : they 
were  followed  by  a party  of  whites,  who  killed  one  of  the  Indians  and 
regained  the  horses. 

“ On  the  7th  of  December,  1792,  a party  of  cavalry,  in  service  for  the 
protection  of  the  District  of  Mero,  about  eight  miles  from  Nashville, 
was  fired  upon  by  about  twenty  Indians,  who  put  them  to  flight,  killed 
John  Hankins,  who  was  scalped  and  his  body  much  mangled.  The 
Indians  stole  horses  in  this  district  without  intermission,  through  all  the 
month  of  December,  1792. 

“ On  the  29th  of  December,  John  Haggard  was  killed  and  scalped, 
about  six  miles  from  Nashville  ; twelve  balls  were  shot  into  him.  His 
wife  was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  the  summer’,  and  he  left  five  small 
children  in  poverty  and  wretchedness.” 

Through  James  A.  Robertson  and  Anthony  Foster,  Go 

i vernor  Blount  procured  the  attendance,  at  Nashville, 

1792  < 1 

( of  the  principal  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Choctaw 
and  Chickasaw  tribes.  The  conference  with  them  began  on 
the  7th,  and  continued  to  the  10th  of  August.  By  Governor 
Blount  and  General  Pickens,  valuable  goods  were  presented 


CONFERENCE  AT  NASHVILLE  WITH  INDIANS. 


599 


to  the  Indians,  as  evidences  of  the  friendship  of  the  United 
States.  To  each  of  the  chie  s,  a rifle  was  also  given,  and  the 
thanks  of  the  Government  were  tendered  to  such  of  them  as 
had  assisted  Wayne’s  operations  against  the  northern  In- 
dians. It  was  also  promised,  that  a trading  post  should  be 
established,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Indians,  at  the  mouth  of 
Bear  Creek. 

A few  Cherokees  were  present  during  the  conference  at 
Nashville,  and,  it  was  afterwards  believed,  were  secretly  try- 
ing to  discover  the  strength  and  situation  of  the  country) 
with  a view  to  the  expedition  they  were  then  plotting  against 
Cumberland. 

“ General  Robertson  immediately  raised  the  militia,  leaving  a few  to 
keep  up  the  different  stations  ; he  collected  five  hundred  men  and  placed 
them  under  the  command  of  Col.  Elijah  Robertson,  Col.  Mansco  and  Col. 
Winchester,  and  Captain  John  Rains,  two  miles  from  Nashville.  A 
troop  of  horse,  commanded  by  Colonel  Hays,  was  ordered  to  discover,  if 
possible,  at  what  point  the  Indians  intended  to  make  the  meditated 
attack. 

“Abraham  Castleman,  one  of  the  militia  soldiers,  had  withdrawn  him- 
self from  the  army  for  some  days,  and  at  length  returned  and  stated, 
that  he  had  been  as  far  as  the  Black  Fox’s  camp,  where  he  had  seen 
the  signs  of  a numerous  army  of  Indians,  and  that  they  might  shortly 
be  expected  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Nashville.  The  General  sent  off 
Captain  Rains  to  ascertain  the  reality  of  the  facts  detailed  by  Castle- 
man ; Rains  took  with  him  a young  man,  Abraham  Kennedy,  and 
went  to  the  place  where  Murfreesborough  now  stands,  and  halted  in  the 
woods,  and  retnainingon  the  ground  all  night,  he  next  day  made  a cir- 
cuit around  the  spring  where  the  Black  Fox’s  camp  was.  The  Black 
Fox  was  an  Indian  chief,  who  formerly  hunted  and  encamped  at  the 
spring  not  far  from  the  spot  where  now  is  the  site  of  Murfreesborough. 
In  this  circuit,  he  examined  all  the  paths  which  led  to  the  camp  from 
the  direction  of  the  Cherokee  country  ; finding  no  traces  of  Indians,  he 
ventured  to  the  spring  ; he  then  returned  home  by  way  of  Buchanan’s 
Station,  and  informed  the  people  that  the  traces  of  an  Indian  army  were 
nowhere  to  be  seen.  Soon  after  the  return  of  Captain  Rains,  the  troops 
were  marched  back  to  Nashville. 

“Two  other  men,  however,  were  sent  off  to  reconnoitre  the  country 
through  which  the  Indians  were  necessarily  to  pass  in  coming  to  Nash- 
ville. These  were  Jonathan  Gee  and  Seward  Clayton,  who  went  on 
the  Indian  trace  leading  through  the  place  where  Murfreesborough 
now  stands,  to  Nashville,  eight  or  ten  miles  from  Buchanan’s  Station  ; 
as  they  travelled  along  the  path  talking  loudly,  they  saw  meeting  them 
the  advance  of  the  Indian  army,  who  called  to  them  in  English  to  know 
who  they  were,  to  which  question,  without  disguise,  they  answered.  Up- 
on being  asked  in  return,  who  they  were,  they  said  they  were  spies  from 


600 


DETAILS  OF  THE  BRAVE  DEFENCE  AT  BUCHANAn’s, 


General  Robertson’s  Station,  and  were  returning  home  ; both  parties 
advanced  till  they  came  within  a few  steps  of  each  other,  when  the  In- 
dians fired  and  killed  Gee  dead  in  the  road.  They  broke  the  arm  of  the 
other,  who  ran  into  the  woods,  but  being’  pursued  by  a great  number 
of  them,  they  overtook  and  killed  him  also.  Thence  they  marched 
rank  and  file,  in  three  lines  abreast,  with  quick  step  till  they  arrived  at 
Buchanan’s  Station,  where  the  people  were  wholly  unapprised  of  their 
coming,  and  did  not  expect  it.  This  was  on  Sunday  next  after  the  dis- 
charge of  the  troops,  being  the  30th  of  September.” 

In  addition  to  the  account,  as  given  in  Governor  Blount’s 
letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  of  the  attack  on  Buchanan’s 
Station,  we  extract  further  details  of  that  invasion,  and  of 
the  remarkable  and  successful  defence  by  the  brave  men 
within  the  fort. 

“ McRory  rose  and  looked  towards  the  place  whence  they  ran,  and 
saw  sixty  Indians  not  more  than  a few  feet  from  the  gate  of  the  fort ; ho 
instantly  fired  through  the  port-hole,  and  killed  the  chief  leader  of  the  In- 
dians, who  on  receiving  the  wound,  immediately  expired.  He  was  a Shaw- 
nee, and  had  quarrelled  with  Watts,  who  insisted  upon  deferring  the  attack 
uutil  day,  and  until  after  the. garrison  had  dispersed  to  their  various  avoca- 
tions. The  whole  garrison,  consisting  of  nineteen  men,  flew  to  arms,  and 
fired  upon  the  Indians  through  the  port-holes  ; the  Indians,  in  turn,  fired 
upon  the  fort.  Captain  Rains  was  sent  for ; he  and  five  other  men  went  off 
in  full  gallop  to  Buchanan’s  Station,  and  arrived  just  in  time  to  see  the 
Indians  leaving  the  plantation  at  the  fort;  they  had  lost  some  of  their 
men  ; some  were  found  on  the  ground  near  the  outside  wall  of  the  fort; 
others  were  carried  off  and  buried  in  different  places,  and  were  after- 
wards found  by  the  white  people.  Of  the  wounded,  were  John  Watts, 
with  a ball  through  one  thigh,  which  lodged  in  the  other,  supposed  to 
be  dangerous ; the  White  Man  Killer,  the  Dragging  Canoe’s  brother, 
the  Owl’s  son,  a young  man  of  the  Lookout  Mountain,  a Creek  war- 
rior, who  died,  and  a young  warrior  of  the  Running  Water,  who  died. 

“ There  were  also  sundry  young  Cherokee  warriors  with  Watts,  besides 
those  who  lived  in  the  five  Lower  Towns,  particularly  John  Walker  and 
George  Fields,  two  young  half-breeds  who  had  been  raised  amongst  the 
white  people,  and  in  whom,  every  one  who  knew  them,  had  the  utmost 
confidence.  The  former  was  quite  a stripling,  and,  apparently,  the  most 
good-natured  youth  the  Governor  ever  saw  ; for  so  he  thought  him. 
They  acted  as  the  advanced  spies  of  Watts’s  party,  and  decoyed  and 
killed  Gee  and  Clayton.  The  Cherokees  said  that  many  of  the  Creeks 
kept  at  such  a distance  from  the  station,  that  they  could  hardly  shoot  a 
bullet  to  it.  With  Watts,  there  were  sixteen  Cherokees  from  Hiwas- 
see ; one  from  Keuka ; five  from  Connasauga,  and  one  from  Strington’s. 

“When  the  Indians  retired,  General  Robertson  hastily  collected  what 
troops  he  could,  and  pursued  them  to  Hart’s  big  spring,  near  Stewart's 
Creek.  It  was  discovered  that  they  marched  out  as  well  as  in,  in  three 
columns.  The  general’s  force,  not  being  more  than  a hundred  and 


AND  HEROIC  REPULSE  AT  GREENFIELD. 


001 


eighty  men,  and  that  of  the  enemy  being 'greatly  superior,  and  they 
having  got  far  ahead,  he  deemed  it  most  advisable  to  return  home, 
■which  he  did.” 

Indian  aggressions  were  repeated  almost  daily,  and  evi- 
„ i denced  that  a numerous  bodv  of  Indians  was  in  the 
l neighbourhood,  as  a small  party  would  not  have  been 
so  daring  as  to  continue  their  repeated  attacks,  and  still 
remain  near  the  scenes  of  their  atrocious  cruelties,  ready  to 
renew  and  extend  them.  An  opportunity  was  soon  found  by 
the  Indians  to  attack  the  station  near  Greenfield.  This  was 
a position  of  some  strength,  and  guarded  by  a few  men.  A 
number  of  negroes  had  left  the  station  early  in  the  morning 
of  April  27,  to  work  in  the  adjoining  fields.  As  was  the 
general  custom,  a sentinel,  John  Jarvis,  accompanied  them. 
About  two  hundred  and  sixty  Indians  had,  the  previous  night, 
formed  an  ambuscade,  not  far  from  the  field,  and  when  the 
horses  were  attached  to  the  ploughs  by  the  negroes,  and 
their  attention  was  directed  to  their  work,  they  were  sud- 
denly fired  upon  by  the  Indians,  who  formed  a line  between 
them  and  the  fort  across  a field,  so  as  to  cut  off  their  retreat, 
and  intercept  them,  should  they  attempt  it  in  the  direction  of 
the  station.  As  soon  as  the  firing  and  the  war  whoop  reach- 
ed the  men  in  the  fort,  four  of  them — William  Hall,  William 
Neely,  William  Wilson  and  another — snatched  up  their  guns 
and  ran  to  the  gate  of  the  station,  from  which  point  they 
could  see  over  the  entire  field,  where  the  enemy  was  pur- 
suing the  sentinel  and  the  negroes.  It  was  evident  that 
without  a bold  and  immediate  rescue,  their  comrades  would 
ail  be  killed.  Hall  and  the  other  soldiers  dashed  impetuous- 
ly forward,  and  met  the  advancing  Indian  column  at  a cross 
fence  in  the  field,  received  their  fire,  took  the  fence  from 
them,  killing  three  or  four  of  the  warriors,  and  keeping  the 
whole  of  them  in  check,  until  all  but  one  of  the  unarmed 
negroes  reached  the  fort.  This  one  was  shot  on  his  retreat, 
and  after  he  had  got  fifty  yards  within  the  fence,  from  which 
the  whites  were  firing.  Poor  Jarvis  was  unfortunately  killed. 
It  is  remarkable,  that  though  nearly  a hundred  guns  were 
fired  at  the  gallant  men  who  were  bravely  repulsing  the 
Indians,  distant  not  more  than  thirty  yards,  not  one  of  them 


602 


GENERAL  IIALl’s  GALLANTRY. 


was  seriously  hurt.  Mr.  Hall  was  without  his  hat — a ball 
passed  through  his  hair,  cutting  it  off  close  to  the  skin,  and 
abrading  it  about  three  or  four  inches  long,  but  doing  slight 
damage.  The  little  party  gained  the  fort,  under  a heavy 
fire  from  the  Indians.  This  they  kept  up  for  a considerable 
time,  but  at  such  a distance  that  the  guns  from  the  station 
could  not  reach  the  enemy.  During  their  firing,  the  Indians 
caught  all  the  horses  and  took  them  off,  carrying  upon  them 
a number  of  their  dead  and  wounded,  raising  the  war  whoop 
as  they  marched  off'. 

This  repulse,  at  Greenfield,  of  two  hundred  and  sixty  war- 
riors, well  armed  and  flushed  with  late  successes,  made  by  four 
men,  exposed  to  the  constant  fire  of  the  Indians  during  the 
whole  attack,  is  almost  without  a parallel.  One  of  the  brave 
men  who  participated  in  it,  General  William  Hall,  of  Sum- 
ner county,  still  survives,  venerated  and  esteemed  by  his 
countrymen  for  his  gallantry,  his  patriotism  and  private 
worth.  He  has  since  occupied  the  highest  stations  in  the 
civil  and  military  service  of  his  state,  and  presents  a proud 
specimen  of  the  heroic  age  and  of  the  early  times  of  Ten- 
nessee. The  three  comrades  of  Hall  exhibited  also  signal 
bravery,  which,  in  the  case  of  Neely  and  Hall,  was  stimu- 
lated by  the  spirit  of  revenge  each  of  them  felt  for  the  loss, 
by  the  savages,  of  a father  and  two  brothers,  on  previous 
occasions.  Such  intrepidity  awed  the  assailants  from  fur- 
ther attempts  upon  the  station,  and  they  withdrew  from  that 
place.  But,  upon  the  next  day,  Francis  Ransom  was  killed 
on  the  Kentucky  Trace,  near  the  Dripping  Spring. 

In  the  spring  of  this  year,  more  than  six  hundred  Creek 
warriors  crossed  the  Tennessee,  at  the  Lower  Chero- 
kee Towns,  on  a war  excursion  against  the  Cumber- 
land settlements.  Small  detachments  of  this  body  scattered 
themselves  in  every  direction,  and  perpetrated  mischief  where* 
ever  it  could  be  effected  with  safety,  or  wherever  the  stations 
were  defenceless.  The  people  were  incensed  that  the  Gov- 
ernment left  them  thus  without  protection,  and  was  so  tardy 
in  making  provision  for  their  defence.  Their  complaints,  on 
account  of  this  neglect,  induced  Governor  Blount  to  dosome- 
for  their  relief.  On  the  29th  of  April,  he  sent  one 


1793 


thing 


MAJOR  BEARD’S  ROUTE. 


603 


hundred  and  twenty  men  from  South-West  Point,  under  the 
command  of  Major  Hugh  Beard,  to  assist  the  people  of  Mero 
District  against  the  Creek  invasion.  In  going  to  and  return- 
ing from  Nashville,  on  this  expedition,  that  officer  passed 
by  the  head  of  the  southern  confluents  of  the  Cumberland, 
and  altogether  south  of  the  settlements  formed  on  that 
stream.  In  that  route,  he  would  pass  through  the  midst  of 
the  main  Creek  camps,  from  which  their  small  parties  so 
repeatedly  issued  in  their  murderous  excursions  against  the 
frontiers.  He  hoped  thus  to  intercept  or  to  intimidate  them. 
He  found  many  of  their  camps  abandoned,  and  was  able  to 
meet  only  three  small  parties ; of  these,  he  killed  only  a few 
and  wounded  several.  His  troops  escaped  unhurt,  except  in 
an  attack  on  Smith’s  River,  where  Mr.  Alexander  received  a 
slight  flesh  wound.  Beard  returned  to  Knoxville  in  June. 
The  enemy  had  escaped  him.  The  main  body  of  them 
having  eluded  his  search,  had  re-crossed  the  Tennessee,  on 
their  return  from  Cumberland  and  Kentucky,  with  numerous 
scalps  and  horses,  the  trophies  of  their  successful  invasion. 
One  good  result,  it  was  believed,  would  follow  Beard’s  cam- 
paign. The  new  practice  of  searching  for  the  Indians  in 
the  thickets  and  at  their  camping  places,  would,  when  it 
became  known  to  them,  inspire  no  small  apprehension  of 
danger  in  crossing  the  Tennessee,  or  making  an  invasion  so 
distant  from  their  homes. 

Notwithstanding  this  expedition  of  Major  Beard,  and  the 
vigilance  of  the  people  on  Cumberland,  the  Indians  suc- 
ceeded occasionally  in  their  attacks.  At  Johnson’s  Station, 
near  Nashville,  a party  of  them,  on  the  9th  of  May,  flred 
upon  and  wounded  three  boys,  one  of  whom  they  scalped. 
A fourth  they  caught  by  the  jacket,  but  he  stripped  it  off, 
and  escaped  unhurt. 

Early  in  May,  Nathaniel  Teal,  the  carrier  of  the  mail,  had 
arrived  in  Nashville  from  Natchez.  After  delivering  the 
mail,  he  went  out  in  the  evening  and.  spent  the  night  with 
General  Robertson,  five  miles  from  town.  Next  morning- 
within  a mile  of  the  General’s  house,  the  Indians  fired  upon 
and  killed  him.  Two  companies  of  horsemen  were  instantly 
paraded — one,  commanded  by  old  Captain  John  Rains  ; the 


i793 


604 


CAPTAINS  GORDON  AND  RAINS 


other,  by  Captain  John  Gordon,  the  same  who  afterwards,  in 
1813,  commanded  the  spy  company  in  the  Creek  war.  To 
the  latter,  Joseph  Brown  attached  himself.  He  was  still 
suffering  from  the  wound  he  had  received  in  the  ambuscade 
on  Laurel  River,  in  March,  but  he  had  made  the  heroic  re- 
solve, to  obtain  redress  for  the  injuries  inflicted  on  his  family, 
and  was  among  the  first  to  volunteer  on  this  occasion.  The 
force  of  the  two  companies  united,  was  one  hundred.  They 
were  instructed  by  General  Robertson,  to  scour  the  woods, 
and  paths  and  crossing  places,  of  creeks  and  rivers,  and  to 
discover  the  trails  of  the  enemy  coming  against  Cumberland. 
They  set  out  on  the  12th  of  May.  Teal  was  killed  by  a 
party  of  Indians  who  had  made  a hunt  on  Cathey’s  Creek, 
about  twenty  miles  west  of  where  Columbia  now  stands. 
Needing  horses  to  carry  the  results  of  their  hunt  home,  they 
had  come  into  the  settlements  and  stole  a number,  and  killed 
Teal.  The  horsemen  soon  found  their  trail,  and  on  the  fifth 
day  overtook  them,  on  the  second  creek  that  runs  into  Ten- 
nessee, below  the  mouth  of  Elk.  The  Indians  had  stopped  to 
noon,  and  twenty  men  were  sent  forward  to  fire  upon  them. 
The  hills  were  open  woods,  but  the  creek  bottom  was  a 
close  cane-brake.  Rains’  men  advanced  on  the  right  of  the 
Indians,  while  Gordon’s  went  to  their  left.  When  the  ad- 
vance of  twenty  fired,  the  two  companies  dashed  forward 
with  all  speed.  Gordon’s  company  came  to  a high  bluff 
of  the  creek,  which  horses  could  not  descend,  when  the  Cap- 
tain and  Joseph  Brown  dismounted,  and  took  down  the  pre- 
cipice, and  each  of  them  killed  an  Indian.  The  horsemen 
had  to  ride  around  the  bluff,  and  the  most  of  the  Indians  es- 
caped into  the  cane-brake  before  they  were  seen.  Six  of 
them  were  killed  and  a boy  captured.  The  companies  then 
returned  home. 

But  the  Indians  continued  to  prowl  around  and  infest  the 
settlements,  and,  as  early  as  the  20th  of  May,  killed  John 
Hacker,  on  Drake’s  Creek,  and  on  the  4th  of  June,  Adarn 
Fleener,  Richard  Robertson  and  William  Bartlett,  were  also 
killed,  and  Abraham  Young  and  John  Mayfield  were  wound- 
ed. On  the  20th,  James  Steele  and  his  daughter  were  killed 
and  his  son  wounded.  July  1st,  the  Indians  attacked  Hay’s 


OVERTAKE  AND  DEFEAT  THE  INDIANS. 


605 


Station  and  killed  Jacob  and  Joseph  Castleman,  and  wound- 
ed Hans  Castleman.  On  the  18th,  William  Campbell  was 
wounded,  near  Nashville.  On  the  15th,  Mr.  Joslin  was 
wounded  at  his  own  house,  and  on  the  19th,  Mr.  Smith  was 
killed  at  Johnson’s  Lick. 

Under  these  repeated  sufferings,  it  is  not  strange  that  the 
people  cried  aloud  for  revenge,  and  demanded  permission  to 
retaliate,  upon  the  savages,  the  injuries^nd  cruel  treatment 
they  had  received  from  them.  But  the  cautious  policy  of 
Government  still  inculcated  lessons  of  resignation  and  for- 
bearance. The  state  of  the  negotiation  with  Spain  was 
plead  as  an  excuse  lor  repressing,  for  the  time  being,  the 
pent-up  indignation  of  the  Western  people  under  the  wan- 
ton provocations  and  murders  they  daily  endured.  But  law- 
abiding  as  they  were,  and  loyal  to  the  authority  of  Congress 
as  they  afterwards  proved  themselves  to  be,  the  spirit  to 
avenge  their  wrongs  and  redress  themselves  could  no  longer 
be  suppressed. 

“About  the  first  of  August,  1793,  Abraham  Castleman  raised  a 
company  of  volunteers  to  assist  him  in  retaliating  upon  the  Indians  a 
great  number  of  injuries  which  he  “had  received  from  them,  particularly 
those  of  killing  several  of  his  near  relations.  On  arriving  near  the 
Tennessee,  ten  of  his  company  turned  back,  because  General  Robertson’s 
orders  prohibited  all  scouting  parties  from  crossing  that  river.  But 
Castleman,  whom  the  Indians  called  the  Fool  Warrior,  with  Zachariah 
Maclin,  John  Camp,  Eli  Hammond,  Ezekiel  Caruthers  and  Frederick 
Stull,  all  dressed  like  Indians,  and  painted  in  the  same  manner,  so  as 
not  to  be  distinguished,  crossed  the  river,  as  is  generally  believed,  below 
Nickajack,  and  took  the  trace  towards  the  Indian  nation,  which  led,  as 
they  supposed,  to  Will’s  Town.  After  travelling  about  ten  miles  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river,  they  came  in  view  of  a camp  of  forty  or  fifty 
Creeks,  who  were  on  their  way  to  kill  and  plunder  the  whites  in  the 
Cumberland  settlements.  They  were  eating  two  and  two,  and  betrayed 
no  alarm  at  the  approach  of  their  supposed  friends,  but  continued  eat- 
ing until  the  small  squad  of  white  men  came  within  a few  paces  of 
them,  and  suddenly  raised  their  guns  and  fired  on  them;  Castleman 
killed  two  Indians,  and  each  of  the  others  one.  The  shock  being  so 
sudden  and  unexpected,  dismayed  and  confounded  the  Indians,  and 
before  they  could  recover  from  it  and  resume  the  possession  of  them- 
selves, the  whites  had  retreated  so  far  as  to  render  pursuit  unavailing ; 
this  happened  on  the  15th  of  August,  1793.  On  the  21st  they  all  got 
hack  safe  to  Nashville. 

“ About  the  5th  of  August,  Captains  Rains  and  Cordon  pursued  a 
party  of  Indians  who  had  killed  one  Samuel  Miller,  near  Joslin’s  Sta- 


006 


ROBERTSON  CONCEIVES  THE  DESIGN  OF 


tion  ; after  crossing  Dnck  River  their  signs  were  very  fresh  ; on  pursu- 
ing them  seven  miles  further,  they  were  overtaken  ; the  pursuers  killed 
some  of  them  on  the  ground,  and  took  prisoner  a boy  of  twelve  years 
of  age.  One  of  them  called  out  that  he  was  a Chickasaw,  and  by  that 
finesse  made  his  escape.  On  examining  the  prisoner,  they  proved  to 
be  all  of  them  Creeks  from  the  Upper  Uphalie  towns. 

“Some  short  time  before  the  9th  of  November,  1 793,  some  horses 
having  been  stolen,  and  Indians  seen  near  Croft’s  mill,  in  Sumner  coun- 
ty, Colonel  James  Winchester  ordered  out  Lieutenant  Snoddy  with 
thirty  men,  to  scour  the  woods  about  the  Cany  Fork,  and,  if  possible, 
to  discover  the  main  encampment.  On  the  4th  of  November  he  met  ' 
two  Indians,  who  fled,  and  lie  pursued  them  to  a large  camp  near' the 
Rock  Island  ford  of  the  Cany  Fork,  where  he  took  much  spoils.  Eve- 
ning coming  on,  he  withdrew  from  the  camp,  about  a mile,  to  an  emi- 
nence, where  he  halted  his  men,  and  they  lay  on  their  arms  all  night. 
About  the  dawn  of  day  they  appeared  advancing  with  trailed  arms,  1 
and  at  the  distance  of  about  thirty  yards  a firing  commenced  and  was 
kept  up  from  three  to  four  rounds,  when  the  Indians  retreated,  leaving 
one  fellow  on  the  ground,  and  were  seen  to  bear  off  several  wounded. 
Lieutenant  Snoddy  had  two  men  killed  and  three  wounded.  He  de- 
served and  received  much  commendation  for  his  gallantry. 

“ In  this  year,  1793,  the  Indians  fired  on  Thomas  Sharpe  Spencer, 
near  where  Major  David  Wilson  since  lived,  in  Sumner  county  ; Mrs.  A. 
Bledsoe,  in  company,  was  thrown  from  her  horse,  but  Spencer  bravely 
rescued  her  from  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  and  conducted  her  to  a place 
of  safety.  About  this  time  several  persons  were  killed  in  the  county  of  jj 
Sumner,  whose  names  are  not  recollected.  In  this  year  James  McCuno 
was  killed,  by  the  Indians,  at  Hays’s  Station,  on  Stone’s  River; 
one  of  the  Castleman’s  was  also  killed  and  another  wounded.  About 
the  1st  of  December,  1 7 9 3,  James  Randal  Robertson,  son  of  General 
Robertson,  and  John  Grimes,  were  killed  by  the  Cherokees  of  the  Low- 
er towns,  on  the  waters  of  the  Cany  Fork,  where  they  had  gone  to  trap 
for  beavers. 

“At  this  time,  many  of  our  people  were  in  slavery  with  the  Creek 
Indians,  and  were  treated  by  them,  in  all  respects,  as  slaves.  In  the 
Cavelegies,  Mrs.  Williams  and  child,  Alice  Thompson,  of  Nashviiie, 
Mrs.  Caffrey  and  child,  of  Nashville.  In  the  Hog  villages,  Mr.  Brown, 
of  the  District  of  Mero.  In  the  Clewatly  town,  Miss  Scarlet.  In  the 
White  Grounds,  Miss  Wilson,  of  the  District  of  Mero,  and  a boy  and 
girl.  In  the  Colummies,  a boy  five  years  of  age.  At  the  Big  Tallas- 
see,  a boy,  eight  or  ten  years  of  age,  and  a girl,  seven  or  eight  years  of 
age.  In  the  Pocontala-hassee,  a boy,  twelve  or  thirteen  years  of  age. 

In  the  Oakfuskee,  a lad  fifteen  years  of  age.  In  the  Red  Ground,  a 
man  called  John.  In  Casauders,  a boy  whose  age  and  name  were  not 
known. 

“As  early  as  the  13th  of  November,  1793,  General  Robertson  had 
conceived,  and  secretly  harboured,  the  design  of  destroying  the  five 
Lower  towns  of  the  Cherokees  ; he  expressed  a decided  disapprobation 
of  all  negotiation  with  them,  as  it  would  but  lull  the  people  of  the 
Territory  into  security,  and  make  them  the  surer  victims  of  Cherokee 


INVADING  THE  LOWER  TOWNS. 


G07 


perfidy.  He,  by  way  of  introducing  the  subject  to  notice,  asked,  of 
General  Sevier,  in  a familiar  way,  when  the  Lower  towns  would  get  their 
deserts  ? It  was  hinted  by  the  Governor,  said  he,  that  it  will  be  in  the 
spring ; I suspect  before  that  time.  But  it  may  be  immaterial  to  us, 
considering  our  exposed  situation  and  the  little  protection  we  have.  He 
pressed  General  Sevier  to  carry  an  expedition  of  fifteen  hundred  men 
into  the  Cherokee  country  before  the  ensuing  spring.  We  shall  see  that 
the  former  idea,  with  whomsoever  it  may  have  originated,  came  to  ma- 
turity in  the  following  year ; though  at  this  time,  no  one,  for  fear  of  the 
displeasure  of  Government,  would  either  be  the  author,  advocate,  pro- 
moter or  even  connive  at  the  design. 

“On  the  20th  of  February,  1794,  numerous  small  divisions  of  In- 
dians appeared  in  all  parts  of  the  frontiers  of  Mero  District,  marking 
every  path  and  plantation  with  the  fatal  signs  of  their  visitation.  They 
stole  nearly  all  the  horses  that  belonged  to  the  district,  and  butchered  a 
number  of  the  citizens.  In  many  instances  they  left  the  divided  limbs 
of  the  slain  scattered  over  the  ground.  Jonathan  Robertson,  from 
whom  upon  all  occasions  the  Indians  had  received  as  good  as  they  sent, 
was,  about  this  time,  with  three  lads  of  the  name  of  Cowan,  fired  upon 
by  five  Indiaus  ; one  of  the  lads  was  slightly  wounded,  and  a ball  passed 
through  Robertson’s  hat;  he  and  the  lads  returned  the  fire  and  drove 
off  the  Indians,  having  wounded  two  of  them  mortally,  as  was  supposed. 
On  the  death  of  Helen,  Captain  Murray  followed  the  Indians,  and  at 
the  distance  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  came  up  with  them  on 
the  banks  of  the  Tennessee,  and  destroyed  the  whole  party  to  the  num- 
ber of  eleven ; two  women  of  the  party  were  captured  and  treated  with 
humanity. 

“On  the  20th  of  March,  1794,  James  Bryan  was  fired  upon  by  the 
Indians  from  an  ambuscade  near  a path,  within  four  miles  of  Nashville  ; 
and,  on  the  same  day,  Charles  Bratton  was  killed  and  scalped  near  the 
house  of  Major  White,  in  Sumner  county. 

“ On  the  21st  of  April,  1794,  Anthony  Bledsoe,  son  of  Colonel  An- 
thony Bledsoe,  and  Anthony  Bledsoe,  son  of  Colonel  Isaac  Bledsoe, 
were  killed  and  scalped  by  Indians  near  a stone  quarry,  near  the  bouse 
of  -Searcy  Smith,  in  Sumner  county  ; at  the  same  time,  two  horses  and  a 
negro  fellow  were  taken  from  Mr.  Smith’s  wagon. 

“On  the  29th  of  May,  1794,  in  the  absence  of  General  Robertson, 
Colonel  Winchester  was  ordered  to  keep  up  the  allowed  number  of 
troops  on  the  frontiers.  On  the  11th  of  June,  they  killed  Mrs.  Gear 
within  four  miles  of  Nashville.  Captain  Gordon  followed  the  Indians 
on  their  retreat  upwards  of  ninety  miles,  killed  one  of  them  and  lost 
one  of  his  party,  Robert  McRory.  He  overtook  them  at  the  foot  of 
Cumberland  Mountain,  near  the  place  where  Caldwell’s  bridge  now  is. 
Captain  Gordon  was  a brave  and  active  officer,  distinguished  through 
life  for  a never  failing  presence  of  mind,  as  well  as  for  the  purest  integ- 
rity and  independence  of  principle ; he  had  much  energy  both  of  mind 
and  body,  and  was  in  all,  or  nearly  all  the  expeditions  from  Tennessee, 
which  were  carried  on  against  the  Indians  or  other  enemies  of  the  coun- 
try, and  in  all  of  them  was  conspicuous  for  these  qualities.  He  now 


608 


ROUTE  TO  N1CKAJACK  DISCOVERED. 


sleeps  with  the  men  of  other  times,  but  his  repose  is  guarded  by  the 
affectionate  recollections  of  all  who  knew  him. 

“On  the  6th  of  July.  1794,  Isaac  Mayfield  was  killed  by  Indians 
within  five  miles  of  Nashville.  He  was  standing  sentinel  for  his  son-in- 
law  while  he  hoed  his  corn,  and  got  the  first  tire  at  the  Indians;  but 
there  being  from  twelve  to  fifteen  of  them,  and  very  near  to  him,  ho 
could  not  escape.  Eight  balls  penetrated  his  body;  lie  was  scalped,  a 
new  English  bayonet  was  thrust  through  his  face,  and  two  bloody  toma- 
hawks left  near  his  mangled  body.  He  was  the  sixth  person  of  his 
name  who  had  been  killed  or  captured  by  the  Creeks  and  Cherokees.  j 
Major  George  Winchester  was  killed  and  scalped,  by  the  Indians,  near 
Major  Wilson’s,  in  the  District  of'  Mero,  on  the  public  road  leading  from 
his  own  house  to  Sumner  Court  House;  he  was  a Justice  of  the  Peace, 
and  was  on  his  way  to  Court;  he  was  a valuable  citizen,  and  a good 
civil  and  military  officer.” 

Joseph  Brown,  during  the  summer  of  this  year,  accompa- 
1794  i nied  a detachment  that  went  on  a scout  to  the  head 
l of  Elk.  While  there,  Col.  Roberts  expressed  a wish 
to  cross  the  mountain,  to  ascertain  whether  a road  could  be 
found  by  which  to  reach  the  Tennessee  at  Nickajack.  Brown 
believed  it  possible  ; and  he,  Joshua  Thomas,  and  Big  Elisha 
Green,  volunteered  to  go  with  Roberts  on  the  hazardous  en- 
terprise. They  found  no  difficulty  in  crossing  the  mountain, 
and  went  on  down  Battle  Creek  to  the  river  bottom,  and  up 
by  Lowry’s  Island,  and  nearly  opposite  to  Nickajack,  and  re- 
turned ; after  walking  nearly  all  night,  they  were  ascending 
the  mountain  by  sunrise  next  morning,  and  crossed  it  that 
evening  on  their  homeward  march.* 

This  discovery  of  a practicable  route  to  Nickajack  for 
horsemen,  had  its  influence,  a short  time  afterwards,  when 
the  romantic  expedition  to  that  place  was  undertaken. 

By  the  renewed  attacks  from  the  banditti  Indians,  in  the 
five  Lower  Towns  on  the  Tennessee,  upon  both  extremes 
of  the  Territory,  the  minds  of  the  people  became  ulcerated 
in  the  highest  degree  against  the  Government.  They  com- 
plained to  Governor  Blount,  who,  although  sympathizing  in 
their  sufferings,  felt  himself  restricted  by  the  orders  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  from  authorizing  an  invasion  of  the  In- 
dian villages  from  which  the  mischief  proceeded.  One  of 
these  orders,  considered  as  prohibitory  of  any  offensive  mea- 


* Brown’s  Letters. 


VOLUNTEERS  RENDEZVOUS  NEAR  NASHVILLE. 


609 


sures,  was  in  these  words: — “With  respect  to  destroying  the 
Lower  Towns,  however  vigorous  such  a measure  might  be, 
or  whatever  good  consequences  might  result  from  it,  I am 
instructed  specially,  by  the  President,  to  say  that  he  does  not 
consider  himself  authorized  to  direct  any  such  measure,  more 
especially  as  the  whole  subject  was  before  the  last  session  of 
Congress,  who  did  not  think  proper  to  authorize  or  direct 
offensive  operations.”  This  order,-  dated  the  29th  of  July, 
1794,  reached  the  Governor,  and  its  contents  were  commu- 
nicated to  the  people  in  the  midst  of  the  frequent  attacks 
made  upon  their  lives  and  property  in  August.  Patience, 
under  such  provocations?  had  ceased  to  be  a virtue,  and  long- 
er forbearance  was  considered  only  as  a license  for  re- 
newed outrage  and  cruelty.  The  people  determined  to  pro- 
tect themselves,  and  to  adopt  the  only  measures  which  would 
render  their  protection  permanent  and  effectual.  They  re- 
solved to  invade  the  towns,  and  retaliate  upon  their  savage 
inhabitants  the  injuries  they  had  so  long  suffered  from  them. 

Some  concert  was  necessary  to  bring  to  the  proposed  expe- 
dition a sufficient  force  to  make  it  at  once  short  and  success- 
ful. An  appeal  was,  therefore,  made  to  the  martial  spirit  of 
Kentucky,  to  aid  the  people  of  the  Territory  in  punishing  an 
enemy,  from  whom,  they  too,  had  been  common  sufferers. 
Colonel  Whitley,  of  that  state,  was  prevailed  upon,  through 
Sampson  Williams,  to  enter  into  the  scheme.  He  agreed  to 
bring  to  the  Cumberland  settlements,  against  a day  designa- 
ted, such  troops  as  he  could  raise..  Colonel  Ford  levied 
troops  in  that  part  of  the  country  between  Nashville  and 
Clarkesville.  These  constituted  a company,  which  was 
commanded  by  Captain  Miles,  and  marched  to  the  ap- 
pointed rendezvous  at  the  block-house,  two  miles  east  of 
Buchanan’s.  Colonel  John  Montgomery  brought  a compa- 
ny from  Clarkesville  to  the  place  of  meeting,  and  General 
Robertson,  who  had  long  before  advised  the  expedition,  raised 
volunteers  for  it  from  Nashville  and  its  neighbourhood. 

In  the  meantime.  Major  Ore,  of  Hamilton  District,  had 
been  detached,  by  Governor  Blount,  with  a command  of  men 
for  the  protection  of  the  frontiers  of  Mero  District,  and  op- 
portunely came  with  them  to  Nashville,  at  the  moment  the 
39 


610 


GENERAL  ROBERTSON’S  ORDER  TO  MAJOR  ORE. 


other  troops  were  concentrating  there.  Learning  the  object 
of  the  meditated  expedition,  he  entered  heartily  into  the  pro- 
ject, and  marched  his  command  to  the  rendezvous.  His 
troops,  alone,  had  been  levied  by  public  authority,  and  to 
give  pretext  for  the  expedition,  and  a colour  of  a claim  for 
pay  of  the  men,  and  the  outfit  and  equipments  furnished  from 
the  public  stores  of  the  General  Government,  Major  Ore  as- 
sumed the  command,  and  it  was  generally  called  “Ore’s  Ex- 
pedition.” Colonel  Whitley,  soon  after,  arrived  at  the  ren- 
dezvous, when  it  was  agreed  that  he  should  have  the  chief 
command  of  the  whole.  Colonel  Montgomery  was  elected 
commander  of  the  troops  raised  in  the  Territory.  The  order 
for  the  march  was,  however,  given  to  Major  Ore,  as  com- 
mander of  the  expedition,  to  whom  General  Robertson  gave 
the  following : 

Nashville,  September  6th,  1*794. 

Major  Ore : — The  object  of  your  command  is,  to  defend  the  District 
of  Mero  against  the  Creeks  and  Cherokees  of  the  Lower  Towns,  which 
I have  received  information,  is  about  to  invade  it,  as  also  to  punish  such 
Indians  as  have  committed  recent  depredations. 

For  these  objects,  you  will  march,  with  the  men  under  your  command, 
from  Brown’s  Block-house,  on  the  eighth  instant,  and  proceed  along  Tay- 
lor’s Race,  towards  the  Tennessee  ; and  if  you  do  not  meet  this  party  be- 
fore you  arrive  at  the  Tennessee,  you  will  pass  it,  and  destroy  the  Lower  |j 
Cherokee  Towns,  which  must  serve  as  a check  to  the  expected  invaders ; 
taking  care  to  spare  women  and  children,  and  to  treat  all  prisoners  who 
may  fall  into  your  hands,  with  humanity,  and  thereby  teach  those  sava- 
ges to  spare  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  under  similar  circum- 
stances. 

Should  you,  in  your  march,  discover  the  trails  of  Indians  return- 
ing from  the  commission  of  recent  depredations  on  the  frontiers, 
which  can  generally  be  distinguished  by  the  horses  stolen  being 
shod,  you  are  to  give  pursuit  to  such  parties,  even  to  the  towns  from 
whence  they  come,  and  punish  them  for  their  aggressions  in  an  exemplary 
manner,  to  the  terror  of  others  from  the  commission  of  similar  offences, 
provided  this  can  be  consistent  with  the  main  object  of  your  command, 
as  above  expressed,  the  defence  of  the  District  of  Mero  against  the  ex- 
pected party  of  Creeks  and  Cherokees. 

I have  the  utmost  confidence  in  your  patriotism  and  bravery,  and  with 
my  warmest  wishes  for  your  success,  lam,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

James  Robertson,  B.  G. 

On  the  next  day,  Sunday,  the  7th,  the  army  marched  to  the 
Black  Fox’s  camp,  and  there  remained  that  night ; they  then 
crossed  the  Barren  Fork  of  Duck  River,  near  the  Stone  Fort 
where  Irwin’s  Store  stood  in  1823;  thence  to  Fennison’s 


ARMY  CROSSES  THE  TENNESSEE. 


611 


Spring;  thence,  crossing  Elk,  at  Caldwell’s  Bridge  and 
Cumberland  Mountain,  they  reached  the  Tennessee,  about 
three  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Sequachee.  It  was  night 
when  the  troops  arrived  at  the  river,  and  most  of  them  re- 
mained upon  its  bank  till  daylight  ; though,  in  their  eager- 
ness for  retaliation,  a few  went  across  before  it  was  light. 
The  river  there  is  nearly  three-quarters  of  a mile  wide.  The 
horses  were  left,  with  a part  of  the  men,  on  the  north  side. 
Some  troops  formed  rafts  of  dry  cane  and  other  light  mate- 
rial, at  hand,  and  went  over  dry,  while  others  crossed  over 
without  any  such  assistance.  Of  these,  were  Joseph  Brown 
and  William  Trousdale,  since  Governor  of  Tennessee,  and 
a United  States  General  in  the  Mexican  War.  The  former 
was  then  a grown  man,  and  had  fulfilled,  to  the  letter,  the 
prediction  of  the  old  Indian  woman,  who  had,  five  years  be- 
fore, warned  the  confederates,  “that  if  he  was  not  killed 
then,  he  would  soon  be  grown,  and  would  get  away  and 
pilot  an  army  there,  and  have  them  all  cut  off.”  He  had 
been  the  pilot,  and  with  Fendlestone,  did  conduct  the  troops 
along  the  route,  unknown  to  any  of  them,  and  though  disa- 
bled, from  a wound  through  his  shoulder,  which  was  still  dis- 
charging pieces  of  exfoliated  bone,  he,  with  one  hand,  swam 
across  the  river,  and  was  among  the  first  to  reach  its  south- 
ern bank. 

As  soon  as  the  troops  had  crossed,  and  were  collected  to- 
gether, they  marched  up  the  mountain,  between  the  point  of 
which  and  the  river,  stood  the  town  of  Nickajack.  A mile 
higher  up  the  river,  after  passing  through  a very  narrow 
strait  formed  by  the  river  on  one  side,  and  the  mountain 
jutting  into  and  projecting  over  it  on  the  other,  they  came 
to  a spacious  plain  of  low  lands,  on  which  stood  another  town 
called  Running  Water.  They  penetrated  into  the  heart  of 
Nickajack  before  they  were  discovered,  and  first  alarmed  the 
Indians  by  the  report  of  their  guns. 

Nickajack  was  a small  town,  inhabited  by  two  or  three 
hundred  men  and  their  families.  The  army  killed  in  their 
town  a considerable  number  of  warriors.  Some  of  the  In- 
dians endeavoured  to  make  their  escape  in  canoes,  to  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  but  were  fired  upon,  and  men,  women 
and  children  perished  in  the  deathful  havoc.  Some  were 


012 


REINFORCEMENT  FROM  RUNNING  WATER. 


killed  in  the  canoes,  some  jumped  into  the  water  and  at- 
tempted to  swim  off  ; but  before  they  could  get  to  a secure 
distance,  were  killed  by  the  firing  of  the  troops,  who  fol- 
lowed after  them  so  closely,  as  to  be  at  the  river  nearly  as 
soon  as  the  Indians  themselves.  Eighteen  were  taken 
prisoners — two  boys,  fifteen  girls  and  one  woman.  A great 
number  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  amongst  whom  were 
fifty-five  warriors.  Both  towns  were  reduced  to  ashes. 

When  the  Indians  in  the  other  town,  called  Running  Wa- 
ter, heard  the  firing  below,  they  repaired  instantly  to  the 
place  of  action,  and  met  their  terrified  brethren  retreating  to 
their  town.  From  the  place  of  meeting  they  began  to  return, 
but  made  a stand  at  the  narrow  pass  before  described, 
placing  themselves  behind  the  rocks,  and  upon  the  sides  of 
the  mountain  ; here  they  kept  up  a running  fire,  when  the 
Cumberland  troops  came  up. 

“ The  troops  were  landed  a little  before  day.  At  daylight 
they  fell  into  ranks,  and  were  counted  by  Captain  John  Gor- 
don, and  the  exact  number  who  had  crossed  over  was  ascer- 
tained to  be  two  hundred  and  sixty-five.”  At  the  back  of 
Nickajack  field,  the  men  were  formed  into  line  of  battle 
among  the  cane.  Col.  Whitley  was  on  the  right,  and  struck 
above  the  mouth  of  the  creek  that  rose  in  the  field.  Col. 
Montgomery  was  on  the  right  of  the  troops  from  the  Ter- 
ritory. Orders  were  given  for  the  two  wings  to  march,  so  as  to 
strike  the  river  above  and  below-the  towns.  On  the  march,  two 
houses  were  found,  standing  out  in  the  field,  and  about  two 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  the  town.  Expecting  that  from 
these  houses  their  approach  would  be  discovered  by  the  In- 
dians, the  troops  were  here  directed  to  push  with  all  speed 
to  the  town.  The  corn  was  growing  close  up  to  and  around 
the  houses.  Near  the  house  on  the  left  the  firing  com- 
menced, and  was  returned  by  the  Indians,  one  of  whom  was 
here  killed.  From  one  of  the  houses  already  mentioned,  a 
plain  path  was  seen,  leading  to  the  town.  William  Pillow 
got  into  it,  and  ran  rapidly  along  it  till  he  reached  the  com- 
mons. Perceiving  that  he  had  got  in  advance  of  such  of  the 
troops  as  had  come  through  the  corn  field,  Pillow  halted  till 
others  had  come  up.  The  march  or  run  was  then  continued 


THE  HEROINE  OF  NICKAJACK. 


613 


by  the  doors  of  the  houses,  which  were  all  open.  The  In- 
dians, at  the  report  of  the  first  gun,  had  run  off  to  the  bank 
of  the  river.  The  troops  pursued  the  leading  way  to  the 
landing.  Here  they  saw  five  or  six  large  canoes,  stored  with 
goods  and  Indians,  and  twenty-five  or  thirty  warriors  stand- 
ing on  the  shore,  near  the  edge  of  the  water.  At  these  Pil- 
low' fired,  and  soon  after  him  a whole  platoon  sent  a volley 
of  rifle  balls,  from  the  effect  of  which  scarce  a single  In- 
dian escaped  alive.  A few  by  diving,  and  others  by  cover- 
ing themselves  over  in  the  canoes  with  goods,  escaped  and 
got  out  of  reach  of  the  rifles. 

About  the  same  time  the  havoc  took  place  at  the  landing 
below,  Col.  Whitley  attacked  the  Indians  above  the  mouth 
of  the  Creek.  They  were  not  more  than  a gun-shot  apart. 

Fifteen  men  had  been  directed  to  stop  near  the  two  houses, 
in  the  corn  field,  and  way-lay  them  until  the  firing  had  taken 
place  in  the  town.  When  the  report  of  the  rifles  was  heard, 
this  detachment  attacked  the  houses.  A squaw  had  re- 
mained outside  to  listen.  A fellow  came  to  the  door  and 
was  shot  dowm.  Those  within  drew  him  inside  and  closed 
the  door,  leaving  the  squaw  on  the  outside.  She  attempted 
to  escape  by  flight,  but  after  a hard  chase,  she  was  taken 
prisoner.  The  warriors  within,  made  holes  through  the 
wall,  and  made  a desperate  defence.  The  squaw  taken 
prisoner  was  carried  up  to  the  town,  and  placed  among  the 
other  prisoners  in  canoes.  As  they  were  taking  them  down 
the  river,  to  the  crossing  place,  the  squaw  loosed  her  clothes, 
sprang  head  foremost  into  the  river,  disengaging  herself 
artfully  from  her  clothes  and  leaving  them  floating  upon  the 
water.  She  swam  with  great  agility,  and  was  rapidly  ma- 
king her  escape.  Some  hallooed  shoot  her — shoot  her.  But 
others,  admiring  her  energy,  her  activity,  and  her  boldness, 
replied,  “ she  is  too  smart  to  kill,”  and  allowed  the  heroine  to 
to  escape. 

After  the  troops  got  on  the  mountain,  on  the  other  side  of 
the  town,  Joseph  Brown  was  sent  back  with  twenty  men  to 
head  and  intercept  the  Indians,  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek 
below  the  town,  when  the  main  body  of  the  assailants  should 
have  driven  the  enemy  to  that  point.  This  he  effected  sue- 


G14 


SURPRISE  OF  THE  INDIANS  WHEN  INVADED. 


cessfully,  though  his  return  was  resisted  the  whole  way  down, 
about  a quarter  of  a mile,  by  the  constant  fire  of  the  In- 
dians. Brown  and  his  men  guarded  the  mouth  of  the  creek, 
while  the  troops  above  were  killing  and  capturing  those  be- 
tween the  two  parties.  When  Brown  met  the  main  body,  he 
inquired  if  they  had  taken  any  prisoners,  and  was  immedi- 
ately conducted  to  a house  in  which  a number  of  them  had 
been  fastened  up.  When  he  came  to  its  door  he  was  at 
once  recognized  by  the  captives,  who  appeared  to  be  horror 
stricken — remembering,  no  doubt,  that  they  had  murdered 
his  people  in  the  same  town,  five  years  before.  At  length, 
one  of  them  ventured  te  speak  to  him,  reminding  Brown 
that  his  life  had  been  spared  by  them,  and  importuning  him 
now  to  plead  in  their  behalf.  He  quieted  her  apprehension, 
by  remarking  that  these  were  white  people,  who  did  not  kill 
women  and  children.  Her  answer  was,  “ O see  skinney  Co- 
tanconey !”  “Oh,  that  is  good  news  for  the  wretched  !” 
These  land  pirates  had  supposed  their  towns  to  be  inac- 
cessible, and  were  reposing  at  their  ease,  in  conscious  secu- 
rity, up  to  the  moment  when,  under  the  guidance  of  Brown, 
the  riflemen  burst  in  upon  them  and  dispelled  the  illusion. 
“ Where  did  you  come  from  ?”  said  one  of  the  astonished  pri- 
soners to  Brown  ; “ did  you  come  from  the  clouds  ? or  did  you 
sprout  out  of  the  ground  ?”  “ We  have  not  come  from  the 
clouds,”  answered  Brown,  “ but  we  can  go  any  where  we 
please.  We  did  not  wish  to  kill  the  Indians,  but  you  have 
forced  that  sad  necessity  upon  us.” 

The  number  of  the  killed  was  greater  than  that  given  by 
Haywood,  from  which  this  account  is  principally  copied. 
Many  of  the  Indians  who  escaped  to  the  river,  would  dive 
and  swim  under  the  water,  but  when  the}r  would  rise  again 
above  it,  the  unerring  aim  of  the  rifles  from  the  shore  would 
reach  their  head,  neck  and  shoulders,  and  thus  they  were 
destroyed,  though  they  were  not  taken  into  the  estimate  of 
the  slain  at  the  battle.  Brown  conversed  with  a chief  af- 
terwards at  Tellico  Block-house,  who  informed  him,  their 
loss  on  that  occasion  was  seventy. 

Andrew  Jackson,  then  a private,  was  one  of  Ore’s  men, 
who  then  shewed  his  love  of  country  and  his  fitness  for  com- 


col.  whitley’s  new  mode  of  warfare.  615 

mand.  His  judgment  in  planning  the  attack  on  Nickajack, 
and  his  good  conduct  generally  on  the  campaign,  impressed 
those  who  witnessed  it  favourably.* 

Col.  Whitley  adopted  a new  mode  of  warfare.  “ He 
mounted  a swivel  upon  his  own  riding  horse,  so  that  he  could 
wheel  and  fire  in  what  direction  he  pleased.  The  balls  pro- 
vided were  wrought  iron.f  Some  of  the  men  crossed  the 
river  on  rafts,  made  of  dry  cane,  which  had  been  found  and 
gathered  by  torch  light.  William  and  Gideon  Pillow,  being 
excellent  swimmers,  were  selected  to  carry  the  raft  of  their 
mess  across  the  river.  The  former  held  a rope  attached  to 
the  raft  in  his  teeth,  and  swam  and  pulled  his  craft,  and  its 
cargo  of  guns,  shot-bags  and  clothes,  after  him,  while  Gideon 
and  another  comrade  swam  behind  and  pushed  it.” 

Jasper  Pillow,  the  ancestor  of  the  family,  emigrated  from 
England  and  settled  in  the  colony  of  Virginia,  about  1740. 
He  had  three  sons,  John,  Jasper  and  William,  all  of  whom 
were  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  continued  in  the 
service  to  its  glorious  termination,  at  Yorktown. 

John  Pillow  emigrated  to  Cumberland  in  1784.  His  wife 
was  Miss  Johnston,  whose  five  brothers  were  soldiers  of 
1776.  John  Pillow  settled  near  Nashville,  where,  with  his 
two  sons,  William  and  Gideon,  he  encountered  all  the  hard- 
ships, and  perils,  and  privations  of  frontier  life,  and  of  con- 
stant conflict  with  the  various  Indian  tribes,  which,  to  the 
close  of  his  life,  infested  and  devastated  the  country. 

Gideon  Pillow,  the  father  of  Gen.  Gideon  J.  Pillow,  late  of 
the  United  States  Army,  in  Mexico,  was  an  active  soldier  in 
the  expedition  against  Nickajack,  and  swam  the  Tennessee 
River  in  the  celebrated  capture  of  that  Indian  fortress. 

In  the  further  Annals  of  Tennessee,  Col.  William  Pillow 
will  be  frequently  mentioned  as  a gallant  officer  under  Gen. 
Jackson,  at  Taladega,  and  as  a quiet,  unobtrusive  citizen,  as 
amiable  in  private  life  as  he  was  vigilant  in  camp  and  cou- 
rageous in  battle. 

Nickajack  and  Running  Water  Towns,  were  the  principal 
crossing  places  for  the  Creeks  in  their  war  excursions  over 


* Willie  Blount’s  Papers. 


t Marshall’s  Kentucky. 


616 


MAJOR  ORE’S  OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  THE 


the  Tennessee,  and  in  which  they,  with  the  warriors  of  Look- 
out Mountain  and  Will’s  Town,  had  heartily  co-operated  for 
years  past;  boasting  of  their  perfect  security,  not  less  from 
their  situation,  protected  as  it  was  by  mountains  on  three 
sides  and  the  river  on  the  north,  than  from  the  number  and 
desperate  character  of  their  warriors. 

This  battle  was  fought  on  the  thirteenth  of  September. 
On  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  the  victorious  troops  re- 
crossed the  Tennessee,  and  joined  such  of  their  comrades  as 
had  remained  with  the  horses  on  the  northern  bank.  Next 
morning  they  took  up  the  line  of  march  homeward,  and 
camped  that  night  on  the  mountain,  the  next  night  at  the 
crossing  of  Elk,  near  the  place  where  Caldwell’s  Bridge  now 
is.  The  next  day  they  came  by  Fennison’s  Spring,  and  to  a 
place  since  known  as  Purdie’s  Garrison.  The  next  day  to 
Hart’s  Spring,  on  the  north  side  of  Steele’s  Creek,  and  the 
next  day  to  Nashville,  where  the  volunteers  were  dis- 
banded. Major  Ore  returned  immediately  to  Knoxville,  and 
made  to  the  Governor  the  following  report : 

Knoxville,  September  24th,  1794. 

Sir  : — On  the  seventh  instant,  by  order  of  General  Robertson.  of  Meio 
District,  I marched  from  Nashville,  with  five  hundred  and  fifty  mounted 
infantry  under  my  command,  and  pursued  the  trace  of  the  Indians  who 
had  committed  the  latest  murders  in  the  District  of  Mero,  and  of  the 
party  that  captured  Peter  Turney’s  negro  woman,  to  the  Tennessee.  I 
crossed  it  on  the  night  of  the  twelfth,  about  four  miles  below  Nickajack, 
and,  in  the  morning  of  the  thirteenth,  destroyed  Nickajack  and  the  Run- 
ning Water,  towns  of  the  Cherokees.  The  first  being  entirely  sur- 
rounded, and  attacked  by  surprise,  the  slaughter  was  great,  but  cannot 
be  accurately  reported,  as  many  were  killed  in  the  Tennessee.  Nine- 
teen women  and  children  were  made  prisoners  at  this  town.  The  Run- 
ning Water  town  being  only  four  miles  above  Nickajack,  the  news  of 
the  attack  upon  the  latter  reached  the  former  before  the  troops  under 
my  command,  and  resistance  was  made  to  save  it  at  a place  called  the 
Narrows ; but,  after  the  exchange  of  a few  rounds,  the  Indians  posted' 
at  that  place  gave  way,  and  the  town  was  burnt  without  ful'ther  oppo- 
sition, with  all  the  effects  found  therein,  and  the  troops  under  my  com- 
mand recrossed  the  Tennessee  the  same  day.  From  the  best  judg- 
ment that  could  be  formed,  the  number  of  Indians  killed  at  the  two 
towns  must  have  been  upwards  of  fifty,  and  the  loss  sustained  by  the 
troops  under  my  command,  was  one  lieutenant  and  two  privates 
wounded. 

The  Running  Water  was  counted  the  largest,  and  among  the  most 


NICKAJACK  EXPEDITION. 


617 


hostile  towns  of  the  Cherokees.  Nickajack  was  not  less  hostile,  hut  in- 
ferior in  point  cf  numbers.  At  Nickajack  were  found  two  fresh  scalps, 
which  had  lately  been  taken  at  Cumberland,  and  several  that  were  old 
were  hanging  in  the  houses  of  the  warriors,  as  trophies  of  war  ; a quan- 
tity of  ammunition,  powder  and  lead,  lately  arrived  there  from  the  Span- 
ish Government,  and  a commission  for  the  Breath,  the  head  man  of 
the.  town,  who  was  killed,  and  sundry  horses,  and  other  articles  of  pro- 
perty, were  found,  both  at  Nickajack  and  the  Running  Water,  which 
were  known  by  one  or  other  of  the  militia  to  have  belonged  to  dif- 
ferent people,  killed  by  Indians,  in  the  course  of  the  last  twelve  months. 

The  prisoners  taken,  among  whom  was  the  wife  and  child  of  Richard 
Finnelson,  my  pilot,  informed  me,  that,  on  the  fourth  instant,  sixty 
Creeks  and  Lower  Cherokees  passed  the  Tennessee,  for  war  against  the 
frontiers.  They  also  informed,  that  two  nights  before  the  destruction 
of  Running  Water,  a scalp  dance  had  been  held  in  it,  over  the  scalps 
lately  taken  from  Cumberland,  at  which  were  present,  John  Watts,  the 
Bloody  Fellow,  and  the  other  chiefs  of  the  Lower  Towns,  and  at  which  they 
determined  to  continue  the  war,  in  conjunction  with  the  Creeks,  with 
more'  activity  than  heretofore,  against  the  frontiers  of  the  United  States; 
and  to  erect  block-houses  at  each  of  the  Lower  Towns,  for  their  defence, 
as  advised  by  the  Spanish  Government. 

The  prisoners  also  informed,  that  a scalp  dance  was  to  be  held  in  two 
nights,  at  Red-headed  Will’s  town,  a new  town,  about  thirty  miles  lower 
down  the  Tennessee. 

The  troops  under  my  command,  generally,  behaved  well. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency’s  most  obedient  humble 
servant,  James  Ore. 

Governor  Blount. 

The  invasion  and  destruction  of  the  Lower  Towns,  was 
not  only  not  authorized  by  the  Federal  authorities,  but,  as  has 
been  seen,  was  prohibited  by  the  instructions  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  War  to  Gov.  Blount.  The  latter  felt  it,  therefore, 
his  duty  to  enquire  of  General  Robertson,  the  reasons  for 
which  he  had  issued  the  order  under  which  Major  Ore  acted. 
General  Robertson,  soon  after,  explained  to  Gov.  Blount  the 
reasons  which  had  induced  him  to  order  Ore  to  pursue  the 
Indians.  He  writes  under  date — 

Nashville,  October  8th,  1794. 

Sir : — I have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  Excellency’s  letter 
of  the  second  instant.  Enclosed  you  have  a copy  of  my  order  to  Major 
Ore,  of  the  sixth  of  September ; my  reasons  for  giving  it,  were,  that  I 
had  receieved  two  expresses  from  the  Chickasaws,  one  by  Thomas  Brown, 
a man  of  as  much  veracity  as  any  in  the  nation,  the  other  by  a common 
runner,  giving  information,  that  a large  body  of  Creeks,  with  the  Che- 
rokees of  the  Lower  Towns,  were  embodying,  with  a determination  to 
invade  the  District  of  Mero ; and  not  doubting  my  information,  I con- 


618 


ROBERTSON  VINDICATES  THE  INVASION. 


ceived,  if  Major  Ore  did  not  meet  this  invading  army  of  Creeks  and 
Cherokees,  as  I expected,  that  it  could  not  be  considered  otherwise  than 
defensive  to  strike  the  first  blow  on  the  Lower  Towns,  and  thereby  check 
them  in  their  advance  ; nor  could  I suppose  that  the  pursuing  of  parties 
of  Indians,  who  had  recently  committed  murders  and  thefts,  to  the 
towns  from  whence  they  came,  and  there  striking  them,  could  be  con- 
sidered as  an  offensive  measure,  unauthorized  by  the  usage  of  nations  in 
such  cases.  It  cannot  be  necessary  to  add  as  a justification,  the  long  re- 
peated, and,  I might  say,  almost  daily  sufferings  of  the  people  of  the 
District  of  Mero,  by  the  hands  of  the  Creeks  and  Cherokees  of  the  Lower 
Towns.  The  destruction  of  the  towns  by  Major  Ore,  was  on  the  thir- 
teenth of  September.  On  the  twelfth,  in  Tennessee  county,  Miss  Roberts 
was  killed  on  Red  River,  forty  miles  below  Nashville;  and  on  the  four- 
teenth, Thomas  Reasons  and  wife  were  killed,  and  their  house  plun- 
dered, near  the  same  place,  by  the  Indians.  On  the  sixteenth,  in  Da- 
vidson county,  twelve  miles  above  Nashville,  another  party  killed 

Chambers,  wounded  John  Bosley  and  Joseph  Davis,  burned  John 

Donnelson’s  Station,  and  carried  ©ff  sundry  horses ; and  in  Sumner 
county,  on  the  same  day,  a third  party  of  Indians  killed  a woman  on 
Red  River,  near  Major  Sharp’s,  about  forty  miles  northeast  of  Nashville, 
and  carried  off  several  horses.  This  proves  that  three  separate  and  dis- 
tinct parties  of  Indians  were  out  for  war  against  the  District  of  Mero, 
before  the  march  of  Major  Ore  from  Nashville. 

If  I have  erred,  I shall  ever  regret  it;  to  be  a good  citizen, obedient  to 
the  law,  is  my  greatest  pride ; and  to  execute  the  duties  of  the  commission 
with  which  the  President  has  been  pleased  to  honour  me,  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  meet  his  approbation,  and  that  of  my  superiors  in  rank,  has 
ever  been  my  most  fervent  wish.  Previous  to  the  march  of  Major  Ore 
from  Nashville,  Col.  Whitley,  with  about  one  hundred  men,  arrived 
there,  from  Kentucky,  saying  they  had  followed  a party  of  Indians  who 
had  committed  depredations  on  the  southern  frontier  of  that  country ; 
that,  in  the  pursuit,  they  had  had  a man  killed  by  the  Indians,  and  seve- 
ral horses  taken,  and  that  they  were  determined  to  pursue  to  the  Lower 
Town.  They  were  attached  to  Major  Ore’s  command,  which  augmented 
the  number  to  upwards  of  five  hundred  and  fifty  men.  Enclosed  is  a 
copy  of  a letter  to  John  Watts ; and,  from  my  experience  in  Indian 
affairs,  I have  my  hopes,  that,  from  the  scourging  Major  Ore  has  given 
the  Lower  Cherokees,  we  shall  receive  less  injury  from  them  than  here- 
tofore. 

Conscious  that  he  had  pursued  the  best  policy,  in  invading 
the  hostile  villages  on  the  Tennessee,  General  Robertson, 
soon  after  their  destruction,  wrote  to  John  Watts,  Chief  of 
the  Cherokees,  and  intimated  pretty  plainly  that  another 
expedition  might  soon  become  necessary,  if  prisoners  among 
the  Cherokees  were  not  surrendered  and  assurances  of  peace 
given. 

Intelligence  reached  Knoxville  of  the  intention  of  another 


ORIGINAL  LETTER  OF  VALENTINE  SEVIER. 


619 


volunteer  expedition  going  through  and  from  the  Territory, 
against  the  Indians  on  its  southern  border.  Governor  Blount 
communicated  that  information  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  and 
also  an  account  of  the  measures  he  deemed  it  necessary  to 
adopt  on  that  subject. 

“ On  the  24th  of  October,  1794.  a party  of  Indians  fired  upon  John 
Leiper  and  another  man,  near  the  house  of  the  former,  on  the  east  fork 
of  Red  River,  in  Tennessee  county.  On  the  5th  of  November,  1794,  a 
party  of  fifty  Indians,  on  the  waters  of  Red  River,  in  Tennessee  county,  fell 
upon  the  families  of  Colonel  Isaac  Titsworth  and  of  his  brother,  John 
Titsworth,  and  killed  and  scalped  seven  white  persons,  wounded  a negro 
woman,  and  took  prisoners  a white  man,  three  children  and  a negro 
fellow,  and  also  a daughter  of  Colonel  Titsworth.  Pursuit  was  given 
by  the  neighbouring  militia,  and  the  Indians,  discovering  their  approach, 
tomahawked  the  three  children  and  scalped  them,  taking  off  the  whole 
skins  of  their  heads.  The  white  man  and  the  negro  fellow  they  either 
killed  or  carried  off,  together  with  the  daughter.  These  murders  were 
imputed  to  the  Creeks.”* 

Colonel  Valentine  Sevier  had  removed  west  of  Cumber- 
land Mountain,  and  built  a station  near  Clarkesville.  This 
the  Indians  attacked.  An  account  of  the  assault  is  copied 
from  his  letter  to  his  brother,  General  Sevier,  dated — 

Clarkesville,  Dec.  18,  1794. 

Dear  Brother  : — The  news  from  this  place  is  desperate  with  me.  On 
Tuesday,  11th  of  November  last,  about  twelve  o’clock,  my  station  was 
attacked  by  about  forty  Indians.  On  so  sudden  a surprise,  they  were  in 
almost  every  house  before  they  were  discovered.  All  the  men  belong- 
ing to  the  station  were  out,  only  Mr.  Snider  and  myself.  Mr.  Snider, 
Betsy  his  wife,  his  son  John  and  my  son  Joseph,  were  killed  in  Snider’s 
house.  I saved  Snider,  so  the  Indians  did  not  get  his  scalp,  but  shot 
and  tomahawked  him  in  a barbarous  manner.  They  also  killed  Ann 
King  and  her  son  James,  and  scalped  my  daughter  Rebecca.  I hope 
she  will  still  recover.  The  Indians  have  killed  whole  families  about 
here  this  fall.  You  may  hear  the  cries  of  some  persons  for  their  friends 
daily. 

“ The  engagement,  commenced  by  the  Indians  at  my  house,  conti- 
nued about  an  hour,  as  the  neighbours  say.  Such  a scene  no  man  ever 
witnessed  before.  Nothing  but  screams  and  roaring  of  guns,  and  no 
man  to  assist  me  for  some  time.  The  Indians  have  robbed  all  the  goods 
out  of  every  house,  and  have  destroyed  all  my  stock.  You  will  write 
our  ancient  father  this  horrid  news ; also  my  son  Johnny.  My  health 
is  much  impaired.  The  remains  of  my  family  are  in  good  health.  I 
am  so  distressed  in  my  mind,  that  I can  scarcely  write.  Your  affection- 
ate brother,  till  death. 


Haywood. 


Valentine  Sevier. 


620  RESULTS  OF  THE  ETOWAH  AND  NICKAJACK  CAMPAIGNS. 


“On  the  27tli  of  November,  1794,  a party  of  Indians  killed  and 
scalped  Colonel  John  Montgomery,  and  wounded  Julius  Saunders  with 
four  balls,  and  Charles  Beatty  through  the  arm,  on  the  north-western 
frontier  of  Tennessee  county.  And  on  the  29th,  another  party  of  In- 
dians, on  the  northern  frontiers  of  Sumner  county,  killed  and  scalped 
John  Lawrence,  William  Hains,  and  Michael  Hampton,  and  wounded  a 
fourth,  whose  name  was  not  reported.  On  the  20th  of  December,  were 
killed  and  scalped  by  Indians,  on  Harpeth  River,  Hugh  Tenin,  of  Sum- 
ner county,  then  late  colonel  of  Orange  county  in  North-Carolina,  and 
John  Brown  and  William  Grimes. 

“ On  the  5th  of  January,  1795,  Elijah  Walker,  one  of  the  mounted 
infantry  on  duty  for  the  defence  of  Mero  District,  acting  as  a spy  on  the 
frontiers,  was  killed  by  Indians,  twelve  miles  south  of  Nashville.  On 
the  5th  of  March,  a party  of  Indians,  supposed  to  be  Creeks,  at  Joslin’s 
Station,  seven  miles  from  Nashville,  fired  upon  Thomas  Fletcher,  Eze- 
kiel Balding,  and  his  brother,  a lad,  who  were  at  work  in  their  field  ; 
wounded  the  two  first  with  balls  through  their  bodies,  knocked  down 
the  third  with  a war  club,  broke  his  skull  bone,  and  skinned  the  whole 
of  his  head.  On  the  14th,  a man  was  killed  by  the  Indians,  within  five 
miles  of  Nashville.  On  the  5th  of  June,  old  Mr.  Peyton  was  killed, 
and  a negro,  belonging  to  Mr.  Parker,  wounded  dangerously  in  a field 
of  Mrs.  Bledsoe,  near  Bledsoe’s  Lick,  by  Indians.”* 

The  exceedingly  long  catalogue  of  Indian  outrages  and 
aggressions  upon  the  frontier  of  Mero  and  Hamilton  Dis- 
tricts, and  the  account  of  the  spirited  manner  in  which  the 
inhabitants  so  successfully  repelled  them,  could  have  been 
indefinitely  extended.  A volume  could  be  filled  with  these 
already  detailed,  and  those  which  have  been  necessarily 
omitted.  For  fourteen  years,  constant  warfare  existed  on 
Cumberland,  without  even  a temporary  abatement.  On  the 
other  side  of  the  mountain,  the  condition  of  the  inhabitants 
was  little  better,  for  the  same  period.  In  each  section  of 
the  country  there  were  unremitted  offences  on  the  part  of 
the  Indians,  and  persevering  vigilance,  enterprise  and  intre- 
pidity by  the  frontier  people.  No  part  of  the  West — no 
part  of  the  world — suffered  more,  or  resisted  more  bravely 
or  more  successfully,  than  the  frontiers  of  Tennessee. 

The  Etowah  campaign,  penetrating,  as  it  did,  to  the  most 
southern  towns  of  the  Cherokees,  and  the  splendid  victory 
of  the  Cumberland  troops  at  Nickajack  and  Running  Water 
Town,  broke  the  spirit  of  the  Indians  and  disposed  them  to 
peace. 


* Haywood. 


TERRITORIAL  LEGISLATURE  MEETS. 


621 


Little  mischief  was  afterwards  done  till  the  approaching 
war  with  England,  in  1812,  again  stimulated  into  life  their 
passion  for  war,  and  revived  their  almost  extinguished  hope 
of  even  yet  resisting  the  wave  of  civilization  which  threat- 
ened their  expulsion  from  the  land  of  their  fathers  or  the 
extinction  of  their  tribes. 

While  these  events  were  taking  place,  the  number  of  in- 

( habitants  in  the  Territory  had  so  far  augmented  as 
1793  1 J 

( to  entitle,  them  to  a Territorial  Assembly  and  Legis- 
lative Council,  as  provided  for  in  the  Ordinance  of  1787. 
Satisfactory  evidence  had  been  presented  to  Governor 
Blount,  that  more  than  five  thousand  free  males  resided  in 
his  Territory,  and  he,  therefore,  authorized  an  election  to  be 
held  for  representatives  of  the  people  on  the  third  Friday 
and  Saturday  of  December,  1793. 

“ Two  from  each  of  the  counties  of  Washington,  Hawkins,  Jefferson 
and  Knox  ; and  one  from  each  of  the  counties  of  Sullivan,  Greene,  Ten- 
nessee, Davidson  and  Sumner ; the  elections  to  be  conducted  under  the 
regulations  prescribed  by  the  election  laws  of  North-Cavolina ; and  the 
returning  officers  were  directed  to  certify  the  names  of  the  elected  to 
the  Secretary’s  office,  at  Knoxville,  as  soon  as  mighCbe.  On  the  22d 
and  23d  of  December,  elections  were  held  accordingly  in  all  the  coun- 
ties of  the  Territory,  and  the  people  elected  Alexander  Kelly  and  John 
Baird,  for  the  county  of  Knox ; George  Doherty  and  Samuel  Weir,  for 
Jefferson  ; Joseph  Hardin,  for  Greene ; Leeroy  Taylor  and  John  Tipton 
for  Washington ; George  Rutledge,  for  Sullivan,  and  William  Cocke 
and  Joseph  McMinn,  for  Hawkins  ; James  White,  for  Davidson  ; David 
Wilson  for  Sumner,  and  James  Ford  for  Tennessee. 

“ No  sooner  were  the  elections  over,  than,  by  a proclamation,  issued  on 
the  1st  of  January,  1794,  the  Governor  appointed  the  Assembly  to  meet 
at  Knoxville,  on  the  4th  Monday  of  Feb.  1794.  The  Assembly,  on  the 
day  appointed,  convened  at  Knoxville,  and  appointed  David  Wilson,  Esq., 
their  Speaker,  and  Hopkins  Lacy,  Esq.,  their  Clerk.  And  it  is  to  be  con- 
sidered as  an  auspicious  omen  of  the  future  prosperity  of  their  young 
empire,  that  they  laid  its  foundations  in  piety  to  God.  On  the  next  day 
the  members,  preceded  by  the  Governor  and  the  Speaker,  went  in  pro- 
cession to  the  place  of  worship,  where  the  Reverend  Mr.  Carrick,  after 
offering  up  an  appropriate  prayer,  preached  to  them  from  these  words  in 
the  epistle  of  Paul  to  Titus  : ‘ In  hope  of  eternal  life,  which  God  that 

cannot  lie,  promised  before  the  world  began  : but  hath  in  due  time  mani- 
fested his  word  through  preaching;  which  is  committed  untome  accord- 
ing to  the  commandment  of  God  our  Saviour.’ 

“ They  elected  ten  persons,  out  of  whom  five  were  to  he  chosen  by 
Congress,  as  the  Legislative  Council ; they  appointed  a committee  to 
draft  an  address  to  the  Governor,  which  was  drawn  accordingly  and 
approved  of,  in  which  they  strongly  recommend  some  offensive  mea- 


622 


MEMORIAL  TO  CONGRESS. 


sures,  could  they  be  resorted  to,  otherwise  that  defensive  ones  might  at 
least  be  adopted,  and  block-houses  erected  on  the  frontiers  at  all  proper 
places,  many  of  which  they  named  ; and  they  stated  that,  until  the 
frontier  people  should  be  better  protected,  it  would  be  impossible  for 
them  to  raise  their  crops,  and  that  they  would-be  forced  to  evacuate  their 
plantations,  and  to  leave  others  ip  the  same  desolate  circumstances. 
They  recommended  a guard  for  the  protection  of  the  Cumberland 
members  on  their  return,  adverting  to  the  recent  fact  of  an  express 
having  been  severely  wounded  in  the  wilderness,  as  he  came  from  Nash- 
ville to  Knoxville. 

“ The  committee  also,  who  were  appointed  for  the  purpose,  Mr.  White, 
Mr.  Cocke,  Mr.  Kelly,  Mr.  Weir  and  Mr.  Taylor,  drew  an  address  to 
Congress,  which  was  approved  of  by  the  House,  and  was  signed  by  the 
Speaker.  In  it  they  demand  a declaration  of  war  against  the  Creeks 
and  Cherokees ; and  stated  that,  since  the  treaty  of  Holston,  they  had 
killed,  in  a most  barbarous  and  inhuman  manner,  upwards  of  two  hun- 
dred citizens  of  the  United  States,  residents  in  this  Territory,  without 
regard  to  age  or  sex,  and  carried  others  into  captivity  and  slavery;  had 
robbed  the  citizens  of  their  slaves,  stolen,  at  least,  two  thousand  horses, 
which,  at  a moderate  calculation,  were  worth  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars. 

“ Besides  the  just  causes  of  war  daily  given  by  these  two  faithless 
nations,  we  conceive  it  essential  to  call  to  your  recollection  their  two 
powerful  invasions  of  this  country;  the  first  in  September,  1792,  con- 
sisting of  one  thousand  Creeks  and  Cherokees,  who,  on  the  30th  of  that 
month,  attacked  Buchanan’s  Station,  within  five  miles  of  Nashville,  and 
were  repulsed.  The  second,  in  September,  1793,  consisting  of  nine 
hundred,  who,  on  the  25th  of  that  month,  attacked  Cavet’s  Station, 
within  eight  miles  of  Knoxville,  and,  in  a manner  too  shocking  to  re- 
late, murdered  Cavet  and  his  family,  thirteen  in  number. 

“ Scarcely,  they  said,  is  there  a man  of  this  body,  but  can  recount  a 
dear  wife  or  child,  an  aged  parent  or  near  relation,  massacred  by  the 
hands  of  these  blood-thirsty  nations,  in  their  houses  or  fields ; nor  are 
our  neighbours  and  friends  less  miserable.  They,  too,  can  enumerate 
the  suffering  of  equal  calamities.  Such  have  been,  they  say,  the  suf- 
ferings of  your  fellow  citizens  resident  in  this  Territory,  more  than  ought 
to  be  imposed  on  men,  who,  by  their  joint  exertions  with  the  citizens  of 
the  United  States  at  large,  have  acquired  freedom  and  independence. 

“ They  rejoiced  in  the  vigorous  measures  which  Congress  were  about 
to  take  against  the  rapacious  and  enslaving  Algerines,  and  concluded 
with  reminding  Congress  that  the  citizens  who  live  in  poverty  on  the 
extreme  frontiers,  were  as  much  entitled  to  be  protected  in  their  lives, 
their  families  and  little  property,  as  those  who  were  in  luxury,  ease  and 
affluence  in  the  great  and  opulent  Atlantic  cities.  The  Governor  then 
prorogued  the  Assembly  to  the  fourth  Monday  in  August.”* 

This  memorial  from  the  representatives  of  the  people 
was  referred  to  a.  committee  of  the  United  States  Congress, 
which,  through  their  chairman,  Mr.  Carnes,  reported  : “ That 


Haywood. 


LEGISLATIVE  COUNCIL. 


623 


from  the  representations  made  to  them,  the  condition  of  the 
Territory  called  for  the  most  energetic  measures,  and  they 
recommended  that  the  President  should  be  authorized  to  call 
out  an  adequate  military  force  to  carry  on  offensive  opera- 
tions against  any  hostile  tribe,  and  to  establish  such  posts 
and  defences  as  would  be  necessary  for  the  permanent  secu- 
rity of  the  frontier  settlers.” 

Hitherto,  the  Governor  and  Judges  had  exercised  not  only 
1794  i executi'*e  and  judicial,  but  legislative  powers.  The 
l Ordinance,  by  the  United  States  in  Congress  assem- 
bled, for  the  government  of  the  Territory  south  of  the  Ohio, 
provided  that  the  Governor  and  Judges,  or  a majority  of 
them,  shall  adopt  and  publish  in  the  District,  such  laws  of 
the  original  states,  criminal  and  civil,  as  may  be  necessary 
and  best  suited  to  the  circumstances  of  the  district,  “ and 
report  them  to  Congress  from  time  to  time,  which  laws  shall 
be  in  force  in  the  district  until  the  organization  of  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  therein,  unless  disapproved  of  by  Congress  : 
but  afterwards,  the  Legislature  shall  have  authority  to  alter 
them  as  they  shall  think  fit.”  The  Ordinance  further  de- 
clared that  the  Legislature  should  consist  of  the  Governor, 
Legislative  Council,  and  a House  of  Representatives,  and 
specified  how  the  latter  bodies  should  be  selected.  This 
having  been  done,  on  Monday,  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  Au- 
gust, 1794,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Territory  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  south  of  the  Ohio,  met  at  Knox- 
ville. 

Legislative  Council. — The  members  nominated  by  the  Represen- 
tatives of  the  people,  and  commissioned  by  the  President  of  the  United 
States  as  Legislative  Councillors  for  said  Territory,  appeared,  produced 
their  credentials,  and  took  their  seats,  to-wit : 

The  Honourable  Griffith  Rutherford, 

“ “ John  Sevier, 

“ “ James  Winchester, 

“ “ Stockley  Donelson, 

“ “ Parmenas  Taylor. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  10  o’clock. 

Honourable  Griffith  Rutherford  was  unanimously  elected  President, 
and  conducted  to  the  Chair. 

George  Roulstone  was,  by  ballot,  elected  Clerk,  and  qualified  accord- 
ingly. 

Christopher  Shoat  was  chosen  Door-keeper. 

A message  from  the  House  of  Representatives  : 


624 


PARLIAMENTARY  RULES. 


Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Council: — This  House  is  now 
formed  and  ready  to  proceed  on  the  public  business,  and  wish  to  know 
if  you  are  met  and  prepared  to  receive  communications  from  the  House 
of  Representatives. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Winchester,  Mr.  Sevier  was  appointed  to  confer 
with  such  member  or  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives  as  they 
may  join,  and  report  what  rules  are  necessary  to  be  observed  in  doing 
business,  between  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives. 

House  of  Representatives. — Monday,  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  Au- 
gust, 1794,  being  the  day  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  Representa- 
tives of  the  people  of  this  Territory,  the  following  members  appeared 
and  took  their  seats,  viz:  David  Wilson,  James  White,  James  Ford, 
William  Cocke,  Joseph  McMinn,  George  Rutledge,  Joseph  Hardin, 
George  Doherty,  Samuel  Wear,  Alexander  Kelly  and  John  Baird. 

The  session  commenced  by  a suitable  and  well-adapted  prayer,  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Carrick. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Hardin,  seconded  by  Mr.  Doherty, 

Ordered , That  the  following  message  be  sent  to  his  Excellency,  Wil- 
liam Blount,  Esq. : 

Sir  : — The  House  of  Representatives  are  now  met  agreeably  to  your 
prorogation,  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business. 

Ordered , That  Messrs.  Hardin  and  Wear  wait  on  his  Excellency  with 
the  above  message. 

At  its  next  meeting,  on  the  following  day,  the  House 
adopted  “ rules  of  decorum,”  to  he  observed  by  its  members. 
The  curious  in  such  matters  may  wish  to  know  what  these 
rules  were,  in  the  infancy  of  legislation  in  the  country,  and 
for  their  gratification,  some  of  them  are  here  given  : 

1st.  When  the  Speaker  is  in  the  Chair,  every  member  may  sit  in  his 
place  with  his  head  covered. 

2d.  That  every  member  shall  come  into  the  house  uncovered,  and 
shall  continue  so  at  all  times,  but  when  he  sits  in  his  place. 

3d.  No  member,  in  coming  into  the  house,  or  removing  from  his 
place,  shall  pass  between  the  Speaker  and  a member  speaking,  nor  shall 
any  member  go  across  the  house,  or  from  one  part  thereof,  to  the  other, 
whilst  another  is  speaking. 

4th.  When  any  member  stands  to  speak,  he  shall  stand  in  his  place 
uncovered,  and  address  himself  to  the  Speaker ; but  shall  not  proceed  to 
speak  until  permitted  so  to  do  by  the  Speaker,  which  permission  shall 
be  signified  by  naming  the  member. 

5th.  When  any  member  is  speaking,  no  other  shall  stand  or  inter- 
rupt him  ; but  when  he  is  done  speaking,  and  taken  his  seat,  any  other 
member  may  rise,  observing  the  rules. 

6th.  When  the  Speaker  desires  to  address  himself  to  the  house,  he 
shall  rise,  and  be  heard  without  interruption,  and  the  member  then  speak- 
ing, shall  take  his  seat. 

7th.  When  any  motion  shall  be  before  the  house,  and  not  perfectly 
understood,  the  Speaker  may  explain,  but  shall  not  attempt  to  sway  the 
house  by  arguments  or  debate. 


BILLS  SUBMITTED  TO  LEGISLATURE. 


625 


8th.  He  that  digresseth  from  the  subject,  to  fall  on  the  person  of  any 
member,  shall  be  suppressed  by  the  Speaker. 

10th.  Exceptions  taken  to  offensive  words,  to  be  taken  the  same  day 
they  shall  be  spoken,  and  before  the  member  who  spoke  them  shall  go 
out  of  the  house. 

16th.  If  there  shall  be  an  equality  of  votes  for,  and  against  any  ques- 
tion, the  Speaker  shall  declare  whether  he  be  a yea  or  nay  ; but  shall, 
in  no  other  case,  give  his  vote. 

18th.  Upon  adjournment,  no  member  shall  presume  to  move,  until 
the  Speaker  arises  and  goes  before.” 

The  House  of  Representatives  having  thus  adopted  rules 
1794  ^ ^0l  ^le  §overnmen^  °f  own  members,  proceeded,  at 
l once,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Cocke,  to  appoint  a committee 
“ to  consider  and  report  as  soon  as  possible,  what  bills  of  a pub- 
lic and  general  nature  are  necessary  to  be  passed  into  laws,  the 
present  Assembly.”  Mr.  White,  Mr.  Cocke,  Mr.  Hardin,  Mr. 
Wear  and  Mr.  Doherty,  were  the  committee.  Mr.  Sevier  had 
been  appointed  on  the  part  of  Council,  “to  act  with  such 
member  or  members  of  the  House,  as  a committee,  to  report 
the  rules  necessary  to  be  observed  in  doing  business”  be- 
tween that  body  and  the  House.  Mr.  White  and  Mr.  Rut- 
ledge were  appointed  to  confer  with  him.  This  joint  com- 
mittee afterwards  made  the  following  report : 

“ That  it  is  proper  for  this  House  to  send  any  message  by  a 
member  of  this  House,  to  the  Council  or  the  Clerk,  to  be  deli- 
vered to  the  President  of  the  Council  or  the  Chairman.  That 
when  a bill  is  to  be  sent  to  the  Council,  it  shall  be  taken  by 
two  of  the  Representatives,  to  be  delivered  in  the  same  man- 
ner. That  no  bill  shall  be  debated  or  rejected  on  its  first 
reading.  That  no  bill  being  once  rejected,  shall  be  again  ta- 
ken up  the  same  session.” 

Rules  regulating  the  intercourse  of' the  two  Houses  being 
thus  provided,  Mr.  Sevier  and  Mr.  Winchester  were  ap- 
pointed on  the  part  of  the  Council,  to  join  the  House  Com- 
mittee, to  prepare  business  for  the  Assembly.  It  was  at  once 
in  medias  res,  and  on  the  28th,  through  its  Chairman,  Mr 
Hardin  reported,  “ An  act  to  regulate  the  militia  of  this  Ter- 
ritory ; an  act  to  establish  the  judicial  courts,  and  to  regu- 
late the  proceedings  thereof;  an  act  making  provision  for 
the  poor  ; an  act  to  enable  executors  and  administrators  to 
make  rights  for  lands  due  upon  bonds  of  persons  deceased  ; 

40 


02  G 


MEMBERS  FROM  KNOX  COUNTY  ABSENT, 


an  act  declaring  what  property  is  to  be  taxable,  and  the 
mode  of  collecting  the  tax  thereon  ; an  act  to  levy  a tax  for 
the  support  of  Government  for  the  year  1794  ; and  an  act  to 
provide  for  the  relief  of  such  of  the  militia  as  have  been 
wounded  by  the  Indians  in  the  late  invasions.” 

This  brief  catalogue  of  enactments  necessary  for  the  peo- 
ple of  the  Territory,  presented  to  the  consideration  of  its 
Legislature,  and,  perhaps,  in  the  exact  order  and  degree  of 
the  importance  of  each,  the  several  subjects  that  were 
deemed  of  primary  moment,  and  demanded  prompt  and  im- 
mediate action. 

The  instincts,  the  sagacity  and  discernment  of  the  consti- 
tuents, had  not  been  at  fault  in  the  selection  of  their  public 
servants.  Perhaps  no  other  deliberative  body,  was  ever  more 
distinguished  for  identity  and  familiarity  with  the  interests, 
the  wishes  and  the  wants  of  those  for  whom  they  acted,  and 
none  could  have  surpassed  them  in  honesty,  promptness  and 
zeal. 

Committees  were  at  once  raised  in  each  House,  to  whom 
was  referred  one  of  the  subjects  already  enumerated.  They 
seem  to  have  been  constituted  with  a wise  and  patriotic 
reference  to  the  qualifications,  experience  and  past  pursuits 
of  the  members.  On  the  bill  to  regulate  the  militia  of  the 
Territory,  the  House  appointed,  on  the  fourth  day  of  the  ses- 
sion, Wear,  Taylor  and  Doherty,  each  of  whom  had  been 
actively  engaged  as  officers  in  the  service  of  the  country, 
and  with  them  the  Council  associated  Colonel  Winchester. 
On  the  Committee  on  the  Judiciary,  Mr.  White  and  Mr. 
Cocke.  To  make  provision  for  the  poor,  Mr.  Hardin  and  Mr. 
Tipton  To  levy  a tax  for  1794,  Mr.  Rutledge  and  Mr.  Mc- 
Minn.  To  declare  what  property  is  taxable,  Mr.  Hardin  and 
Mr.  Ford  ; and  to  provide  relief  for  wounded  militia,  Mr. 
Doherty  and  Mr.  Wear. 

In  justice  to  the  members  of  Knox  county,  whose  names 
do  not  appear  upon  any  of  these  committees,  it  ought  to  be 
mentioned  that,  on  Wednesday,  the  third  day  of  the  session, 
“ on  motion  of  Mr.  Kelly,  seconded  by  Mr.  Hardin,  ordered, 
that  Mr.  Kelly  and  Mr.  Beard  have  leave  of  absence,  to  go  on 
a scout  against  the  Indians.”  These  gentlemen  held  commis- 
sions in  the  militia  of  Knox  county,  and,  on  account  of  their 


ON  A SCOUT  AGAINST  THE  INDIANS. 


627 


gallantry  and  public  spirit,  had  been  honoured  with  seats  in 
the  House  of  Representatives.  A threatened  incursion  of 
hostile  Cherokees,  made  it  necessary  for  them  to  lay  down 
their  legislative  and  resume  their  military  functions.  And, 
upon  the  motion  of  one  of  them,  Mr.  Kelly,  his  colleague 
and  himself  had  leave  of  absence.  In  a week  from  that 
time,  “ Mr.  Kelly  returned  and  took  his  seat.”  Mr.  Beard 
had  returned  the  day  before. 

To  General  Sevier,  of  the  Council,  is  due  the  paternity  of 
a bill,  “ for  the  relief  of  such  persons  as  have  been  disabled 
by  wounds,  or  rendered  incapable  of  procuring,  for  them- 
selves and  families,  subsistence,  in  the  militia  of  this  Terri- 
tory ; and  providing  for  the  widows  and  orphans  of  such  as 
have  died.”  He  had  been,  as  we  have  already  narrated, 
actively  employed  in  the  military  service,  and  knew  well  the 
sacrifice  of  treasure  and  of  blood  which  the  martial  spirit  of 
his  countrymen  had  occasioned,  and  the  havoc  which,  by  the 
gallantry  of  his  fellow-soldiers,  had  been  made  upon  the  com- 
fort, and  property,  and  lives,  of  those  he  represented. 

To  an  enlightened  Representative  from  Davidson  county, 
is  due  the  immortal  honour  of  having  made  the  first  legisla- 
tive effort,  in  the  Territorial  Assembly,  in  behalf  of  Learning. 
On  the  29th  of  August,  “ Mr.  White  moved  for  leave,  and 
presented  a bill  to  establish  a University  in  Greene  county  ; 
read  for  the  first  time,  passed,  and  sent  to  the  Council.” 
Four  days  after,  the  bill  became  a law,  creating  a Literary 
Institution,  though  under  a less  imposing  name,  Greeneville 
College.  The  preamble  to  the  act  of  incorporation  follows  ; 

“ Whereas , in  all  well-regulated  governments,  it  is  the  incumbent 
duty  of  the  Legislature  to  consult  the  happiness  of  the  rising  genera- 
tion, and  endeavour  to  fit  them  for  an  honourable  discharge  of  the  social 
duties  of  life,  by  paying  the  strictest  attention  to  their  education,  Be  it 
enacted  by  the  Governor,”  <fcc. 

The  act  appoints  the  Rev.  Hezeltiah  Balch,  President  of 
the  College,  and  locates  it  upon  his  farm.  The  Trustees 
are — “ Hezekiah  Balch,  Samuel  Doak,  James  Balch,  Samuel 
Garrick,  Robert  Henderson,  Gideon  Blackburn,  Archibald 
Roane,  Joseph  Hamilton,  William  Cocke,  Daniel  Kennedy, 
Landon  Carter,  Joseph  Hardin,  Sen.,  John  Rhea  and  John 
Sevier.”  The  law  invests  these  Trustees  with  the  usual 


628  DOCTOR  WHITE  ELECTED  THE  TERRITORIAL  DELEGATE. 

powers  of  such  corporations,  and  authorizes  them  to  make 
such  laws  for  its  government,  as  “ to  them  may  appear 
necessary  for  the  promotion  of  learning  and  virtue  ; pro- 
vided the  same  be  not  contrary  to  the  unalienable  rights  of 
human  nature,  or  the  laws  of  the  Territory.” 

On  the  same  day,  Mr.  Doherty  presented  a petition  from 
the  inhabitants  south  of  French  Broad  River,  setting  forth 
their  right  of  occupancy  to  their  lands,  and  praying  that 
their  case  may  be  laid  before  Congress.”  This  subject  after- 
wards became  a fruitful  source  of  complaint  and  tedious 
legislation,  the  details  of  which  will  be  elsewhere  given. 

On  Saturday,  the  30th,  the  House  adjourned  to  Monday, 
seven  o’clock.  A working  Legislature,  truly  ! 

In  the  Ordinance  for  the  government  of  the  Territory,  it 
was  provided  “ That  as  soon  as  a Legislature  shall  be 
formed  in  the  District,  the  Council  and  House,  assembled  in 
one  room,  shall  have  authority,  by  joint  ballot,  to  elect  a 
Delegate  to  Congress.”  The  details  of  that  transaction  are 
here  extracted  from  the  Journals. 

Resolved , That  the  balloting  for  the  Delegate  to  Congress  take  place 
to  morrow,  at  ten  o’clock,  and  that  the  following  message  be  sent  to  the 
Council  : 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Council : — We  propose  to  bal- 
lot to-morrow,  at  ten  o’clock,  at  the  Court  House,  for  a Delegate  to 
Congress,  and  on  our  part  appoint  Messrs.  Taylor  and  Doherty  to  su- 
perintend the  balloting.  The  Council  concurring,  Mr.  Taylor  was  ap- 
pointed to  conduct  the  balloting  on  their  part.  On  the  3d,  Mr.  James 
White,  of  Davidson  county,  was  elected  by  a majority  of  both  Houses, 
Delegate  to  Congress. 

On  the  petition  of  the  inhabitants  south  of  French  Broad,  your  Com- 
mittee report  that  the  said  inhabitants  ought  to  have  all  the  assistance 
in  the  power  of  this  House  to  give  towards  securing  them  in  their  im- 
provements. That  as  the  disposal  of  the  soil  rests  in  Congress,  it  will 
be  proper  for  this  Assembly  to  draw  up  a memorial  to  that  body,  stating 
the  facts  as  may  induce  them  to  secure  the  said  inhabitants  in  a right 
of  pre-emption,  and  pray  that  an  Act  of  Congress  may  be  passed  for 
that  purpose. 

Both  Houses  adjourned  to-day,  to  meet  to-morrow  at  7 o’clock. 

Sept.  4. — Mr.  Cocke  moved  for  leave,  and  presented  a Bill  for  the 
establishment  of College  in  the  vicinity  of  Knoxville. 

The  blank  was  afterwards  filled  with  Blount,  and  on  the 
tenth  of  September,  the  bill  establishing  Blount  College  be- 
came a law.  Next  to  Mr.  White,  the  friends  of  learning  are 
indebted  to  one  of  the  representatives  from  Hawkins,  Mr 


MEMBERS  FINED  ONE  SHILLING  FOR  ABSENCE. 


629 


Cocke,  for  his  ear-ly  care  and  prudent  foresight  in  laying 
broad  and  deep  a foundation  for  the  intellectual  improve- 
ment of  the  young  men  of  the  Territory.  Blount  College 
has  since  become  the  University  of  East  Tennessee,  and  the 
laudable  curiosity  to  see  the  incipient  efforts  of  the  first  pa- 
trons of  literature  and  science  in  the  West,  shall  be  gratified 
with  some  extracts  from 

An  Act  for  the  establishment  of  Blount  College , in  the  vicinity  of 
Knoxville : 

Whereas , the  Legislature  of  this  Territory  are  disposed  to  promote 
the  happiness  of  the  people  at  large,  and  especially  of  the  rising  genera- 
tion, by  instituting  seminaries  of  education,  where  youth  may  be  habi- 
tuated to  an  amiable,  moral  and  virtuous  conduct,  and  accurately  in- 
structed in  the  various  branches  of  useful  science,  and  in  the  principles 
of  the  ancient  and  modern  languages. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Governor,  Legislative  Council  and 
House  of  Representatives  of  the  Territory  of  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica, south  of  the  River  Ohio,  That  the  Reverend  Samuel  Carrick,  Presi- 
dent, and  his  Excellency  Wiiliam  Blount,  the  Honourable  Daniel  Smith, 
Secretary  of  the  Territory,  the  Honourable  David  Campbell,  the  Hon- 
ourable Joseph  Anderson,  General  John  Sevier,  Col.  James  White,  Col. 
Alexander  Kelly,  Col.  William  Cocke,  Willie  Blount,  Joseph  Hamil- 
ton, Archibald  Roane,  Francis  A.  Ramsey,  Charles  McClung,  George 
Roulstone,  George  McNutt,  John  Adair  and  Robert  Houston,  Esquires 
shall  be,  and  they  are  hereby  declared  to  be  a body  politic  and  corporate,, 
by  the  name  of  the  President  and  Trustees  of  Blount  College,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Knoxville. 

On  account,  probably,  of  some  unknown  infraction  of  par- 
liamentary law,  the  House,  on  the  8th, 

Resolved , That  whenever  this  House  shall  render  a list  of  absent 
members  to  the  door  keeper,  to  warn  them  to  attend,  that  each  member 
so  mentioned  and  warned,  shall  pay  one  shilling  to  the  door-keeper  for 
his  trouble. 

This  fine  would  appear  inadequate  for  either  of  the  pur- 
poses intended  by  it,  if  we  fail  to  consider  the  difference 
between  the  per  diem  of  members  and  door-keeper  in  the 
Assembly  of  1794,  and  their  pay  in  1850. 

As  further  evidence  of  the  diligence  and  application  of 
members  to  their  legislative  duties,  it  may  be  mentioned  that 
on  the  5th,  8th,  9th,  10th  and  11th,  the  House  adjourned  to 
meet  the  succeeding  days  at  7 o’clock,  A.  SI.,  and  the  Coun- 
cil regularly  at  9 o’clock. 

On  the  5th,  the  House  concurred  with  the  Council  in  “ their 


630 


PRIMITIVE  TIMES  IN  KNOXVILLE. 


proposition  in  the  two  Houses  meeting,  and  to  take  into 
their  consideration  whether  the  laws  of  North-Carolina  are 
now  in  force  and  use  in  this  Territory,"’  and  proposed  that 
the  conference  be  at  the  Court  House  at  four  o’clock.”  Ano- 
ther proof  of  the  fidelity  with  which  these  servants  of  the 
people  despatched  their  public  duties.  The  Court  House 
where  this  conference  was  proposed,  and  where  the  two 
Houses  had  met  together  for  the  election  of  a Delegate  to 
Congress,  was  a small  one-story  building,  about  thirty  feet 
long  and  twenty-four  broad.  The  Council  met  in  the  bar- 
rack. The  house  in  which  the  Assembly  held  its  sessions 
was  sometimes  in  another  room  of  the  barrack,  and  occa- 
sionally the  large  room  of  Carmichael’s  Tavern,  on  Cumber- 
land-street,  and  now  owned  by  Major  Swan.  Neither  of 
the  buildings  was  sufficiently  spacious  to  allow  a joint  bal- 
lot or  joint  conference  of  the  two  bodies,  and  on  these  occa- 
sions each  left  its  own  chamber  and  repaired  to  the  Court 
House.  These  were  primitive  times  in  Knoxville.  Less 
than  fifty  families  lived  there  then.  Mr.  Stone  kept  tavern 
on  what  is  now  known  as  Park’s  Corner,  and  his  was  the 
very  northern  boundary  of  the  town.  Nathaniel  Cowan 
lived  at  the  corner  of  Water-street,  not  far  from  what  is  now 
Churchwell’s  Mill,  and  most  of  the  buildings  were  in  that 
part  of  the  place  near  the  river.  Many  members  boarded 
in  the  country,  and  walked  morning  and  night  to  and  from 
their  quarters.  A carriage  was  unknown  in  that  day  upon 
the  frontier,  and  would  have  attracted  more  attention,  and 
occasioned  more  remark,  than  a steam-car  would  in  1850 
upon  the  top  of  Chilhowee. 

In  the  Council,  “ Mr.  Donelson,  from  the  Committee  ap- 
pointed to  make  an  estimate  of  the  expenses  for  the  year 
1794,  reported  that  the  probable  expenditures  for  said  year, 
will  amount  to  two  thousand  three  hundred  and  ninety  dol- 
lars.” This  financial  estimate  was  for  the  whole  Territory, 
and  fiftv-six  years  afterwards,  the  estimate  would  be  consid- 
ered small  for  a single  county  in  Tennessee.  So  true  is  it, 
with  regard  to  communities  as  with  individuals — the  natural 
wants  of  man  are  few  and  easily  supplied,  while  those  that 
are  artificial,  are  at  once  numberless  and  insatiable. 


H.  L.  WHITE,  PRIVATE  SECRETARY  OF  BLOUNT. 


631 


Sept.  10,  1794. — Received  from  his  Excellency,  the  Governor,  the 
following  message : 

Knoxville,  Sept.  1,  1794. 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Legislative  Council , and  Mr. 

Speaker  and  Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Representatives  : 

Herewith,  by  the  hands  of  Mr.  Hugh  White,  my  Private  Secretary,  you 
will  receive  an  act  entitled  an  act,  &c.,  &c.,  to  which  I have  given  my  as- 
sent. My  Private  Secretary  being  now  officially  made  known  to  you,  I 
shall,  in  future,  cause  the  acts  to  which  I give  my  assent,  to  be  delivered 
by  him  to  you,  without  any  written  message,  and  having  obtained  your 
signatures,  to  deliver  the  same  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Territory. 

Wm.  Blount. 

Sept.  12. — Mr.  White,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  draw  up  a 
memorial  to  Congress  in  favour  of  the  people  south  of  French  Broad, 
presented  the  following  memorial : 

To  the  Honourable , the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 

United  States,  in  Congress: 

The  memorial  and  petition  of  the  inhabitants  living  south  of  French 
Broad  River,  sheweth,  That  your  memorialists  have  settled  on  va- 
cant lands,  lying  on  the  south  side  of  French  Broad  River,  and  which 
was  granted  to  the  people  of  this  country,  by  the  Indians,  at  different 
times. 

First.  At  the  treaty  of  Dumplin  Creek,  held  with  John  Sevier,  Esq., 
at  which  time,  the  Indians  received  a compensation  in  clothing  and  other 
articles,  for  said  land  ; and  in  the  year  following,  the  same  Indians  did, 
in  a fresh  treaty,  held  with  them  at  Coyatee,  confirm  the  grant  afore- 
mentioned. That,  in  consequence  of  these  treaties,  made  under  a then 
existing  authority,  your  petitioners  were  induced  to  settle  on  the  land 
so  granted,  which  they  cultivated  with  great  labour  and  expense,  and  es- 
tablished within  the  bounds  thereof,  large  and  improved  possessions. 
This  memorial  further  sheweth,  That  the  country  aforesaid  has  been 
ceded  to  the  United  States,  partly,  at  the  treaty  of  Senaca,  and  finally, 
at  the  succeeding  treaty  of  Holston.  Your  memorialists,  therefore,  peti- 
tion Congress  to  make  them  secure  in  their  labour  and  improvements, 
whenever  Congress  may  think  it  expedient  to  open  a Land-office,  by 
granting  them  a right  of  pre-emption  to  their  hard-earned  improve- 
ments and  possessions. 

And  whereas,  numbers  of  these  petitioners  have  been  induced  to  be- 
lieve, that  Congress  would  confirm  such  warrants  or  grants  as  had  issued 
from  the  - State  of  North-Carolina,  and,  therefore,  have  purchased  the 
same,  and  laid  them  on  their  lands ; they  pray  that  Congress  may  per- 
mit them  to  hold  their  lands  by  such  warrants,  but  that  the  justice  and 
goodness  of  your  honourable  body  will  provide,  that  no  stranger  may,  by 
such  warrants,  take  from  the  holder  and  improver  of  the  land,  his  pos- 
sessions, the  right  of  which  ought  to  be  derived  through  Congress. 

The  Assembly  adopted  and  sent  forward  to  Congress,  a 
long  memorial  on  the  subject  of  the  existing  Indian  war. 

To  this  memorial  was  appended  “ a list  of  the  names  of 


632 


WAGES  OF  MEMBERS  OF  LEGISLATURE. 


persons  killed,  wounded  and  captured,  and  horses  stolen, 
since  the  26th  day  of  February,  1794.”  The  list  comprises: 
killed,  67  ; wounded,  10  ; prisoners,  25  ; and  horses  stolen, 
376,  estimated  at  $18,700. 

On  the  18th,  19th,  20th,  26th  and  27th,  the  House  ad- 
journed to  meet  at  seven  o’clock  the  succeeding  morning. 
Such  an  economical  devotion  of  its  time  to  public  business, 
and  such  indefatigable  attention  to  legislative  duty,  would 
seem  to  require  some  corresponding  pecuniary  compensation. 
As  their  session  approached  its  termination,  it  was 

Resolved , That  the  wages  of  the  members,  clerks  and  door-keepers 


both  houses,  be  estimated  as  follows : 

For  each  member  per  day,  - - $2  50 

“ each  clerk  “ “ - - - 2 50 

“ each  clerk  for  stationery,  - - - 25  00 

“ door-keeper  per  day,  - - - 1 75 

Each  member,  clerk  and  door-keeper  to  be  allowed 
for  ferriages. 

Every  twenty-live  miles,  riding  to  and  from  the  As- 
sembly, - - - - - 2 50 


Sept.  23. — Mr.  Sevier  moved  for  leave,  and  presented  a bill  for 
establishing  Knoxville,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Holston,  which  was 
read  the  first  time,  passed  and  sent  to  the  House  of  Representatives. 

As  the  adjournment  of  the  Territorial  Legislature  ap- 
proached, its  members  were  unwilling  to  separate,  without 
making  another  effort  to  awaken  the  attention  of  the  Fede- 
ral Government  to  the  necessity  and  importance  of  more  am- 
ple and  effective  means  of  defence  and  protection  for  their 
suffering  and  bleeding  constituents.  Since  the  last  meeting 
of  the  Assembly,  many  of  them  had  lost  members  of  their 
own  families — killed  by  savage  ferocity  or  stratagem — many 
of  their  neighbours  had  been  wounded  or  taken  prisoners  ; 
much  valuable  property  had  been  stolen  or  destroyed  ; and 
during  the  present  sitting  of  the  Legislature,  two  members 
of  it  from  the  Metropolitan  county,  had  been  compelled, 
from  the  threatened  aggressions  of  the  enemy,  to  leave  the 
halls  of  legislation  and  resume  the  sword,  to  prevent  an  at- 
tack upon  the  seat  of  Government.  Under  this  condition  of 
things,  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  September,  the  House 

Resolved , That  James  White,  Esq.,  the  Representative  of  this  Terri- 
tory in  Congress,  be  instructed  to  take  an  early  opportunity  of  exhibit- 


FIRST  PUBLIC  PRINTER  APPOINTED. 


633 


ing  to  the  President  of  Congress,  the  additional  list  of  one  hundred  and 
five  of  our  fellow-citizens,  who  have  suffered  by  the  Creeks  and  Chero- 
kees,  since  our  memorial  to  Congress  in  the  spring,  in  addition  to  the 
former  innumerable  and  cruel  acts  of  hostility  with  which  this  Territory 
has  been  insulted  by  those  Indians  ; and  to  assure  his  Excellency  that  if 
the  people  of  this  Territory  have  borne  with  outrage's  which  stretch  hu- 
man patience  to  its  utmost,  it  has  been  through  our  veneration  for  the 
head  of  the  Federal  Government,  and  through  the  hopes  we  entertain 
that  his  influence  will  finally  extend,  to  procure  for  this  injured  part  of 
the  Union,  that  justice,  which  nothing  but  retaliating  on  an  unrelenting 
enemy,  can  afford. 

The  patience  of  the  people  was  well-nigh  exhausted,  and 
it  required  all  the  authority  and  weight  of  character  of  Go- 
vernor Blount  to  restrain  the  impetuous  temper  of  the  sol- 
diery of  the  Territory,  which  everywhere  manifested  itself — 
exacerbations  of  feeling  and  resentment,  which,  indeed,  in 
every  instance,  his  authority  was  unable  to  repress. 

Sept.  25. — In  the  Council,  “ Mr.  Sevier  moved  for  leave, 
and  presented  a bill  appointing  a public  printer.”  Another 
era  in  the  early  legislation  and  improvement  of  an  infant 
community,  second  only  to  the  founding  of  institutions  of 
learning  and  the  creation  of  tribunals  of  justice. 

At  the  request  of  the  members  from  Mero  District,  Go- 
vernor Blount  ordered  a sufficient  guard  of  soldiers  to  ac- 
company them  on  their  return  home. 

Great  difficulty  arose  in  arranging  the  details  of  the  Tax 
Bill,  and  the  last  days  of  the  session,  amendments  were  con- 
stantly proposed  to  the  bill  of  the  one  House  and  as  uni- 
formly rejected  by  the  other.  Several  days  were  consumed 
in  modeling  and  adjusting  the  Tax  Bill. 

A Sabbath  intervened,  but  on  Monday  the  House  con- 
tinued inflexible  ; other  messages  were  interchanged  with  a 
like  result.  The  Council  at  length  agreed  to  make  the  tax 
on  a hundred  acres  of  land,  eighteen  cents.  To  which  the 
House  again  objected,  and  insisted  upon  “ a tax  of  twenty-five 
cents  per  hundred,  as  it  stood  in  the  bill  when  it  went  from 
this  House.” 

The  Council  yielded,  at  length,  to  the  more  immediate 
representatives  of  the  people,  and  sent  them  the  following 
message — 

“ The  Council  accede  to  your  proposition  in  taxing  land  at  twenty- 


634 


DIFFICULTY  IN  ADJUSTING  TAXES. 


five  cents  per  hundred  acres  ; you  will,  therefore,  send  two  of  your 
members  to  see  the  amendments  made  accordingly.” 

At  this  length  of  time  since  these  transactions  took  place, 
it  is  difficult  to  account  for  the  discordant  views  entertained 
by  the  two  Houses  of  the  Territorial  Assembly  upon  the  land 
tax.  A tariff  is  always  a subject  of  troublesome  adjust- 
ment, and  then,  as  now,  the  proper  arrangment  of  its  details, 
was  the  most  perplexing  duty  of  the  Legislature.  It  has 
been  conjectured,  that  the  conflict  of  sentiment  between  the 
Council  and  the  House,  may  be  legitimately  traced  to  the 
organism — the  mode  by  which  each  body  was  created.  The 
five  members  of  the  Council  were  not  elected  by  the  people, 
but  appointed  by  the  Congress,  and  commissioned  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  from  ten  citizens  of  the  Ter- 
ritory at  large,  selected  and  nominated  for  that  purpose  by 
the  House.  Their  term  of  office  was  for  five  years.  The 
members  of  the  House,  on  the  other  hand,  were  really  the 
representatives  of  the  people,  were  elected  directly  by  them, 
and  holding  their  office  for  but  two  years,  were  dependant 
upon  popular  suffrage  for  a renewal  of  their  trust. 

The  constituent  body — the  people — were  generally  small 
landholders,  while  most  of  the  appropriated  lands  of  the 
Territory,  was  held  by  large  grantees,  and  they — many  of 
them— non-residents.  The  toil  of  subduing  the  wilderness, 
the  danger  of  reclaiming  it  from  its  savage  occupants,  the 
sacrifice  of  ease,  of  property  and  of  life,  in  opening  and  de- 
fending it,  the  responsibility  of  founding  its  government 
and  maintaining  its  rights,  had  all  been  undergone  by  actual 
settlers.  Their  adventure  had  planted  the  infant  settle- 
ments, their  valour  had  defended  them,  and  to  their  services, 
were  non-resident  landholders  indebted  for  the  present  and 
prospective  enhancement  of  the  value  of  their  property.  The 
tenacity,  therefore,  with  which  the  immediate  representa- 
tive body  adhered  to  its  policy  of  raising  the  revenue  prin- 
cipally by  a tax  upon  real  estate,  cannot  be  considered  either 
strange  or  unwise. 

Sept.  30. — The  morning  of  the  last  day  of  its  session,  the 
House  exhibited  a further  instance  of  its  restraint  upon  the 
action  of  the  Council,  by  refusing  its  assent  to  a bill  excusing 


RESOLUTION  PREPARATORY  TO  A STATE  ORGANIZATION.  635 


workmen  employed  at  iron  foundries,  from  military  du- 
ties. 

Before  their  adjournment,  the  two  Houses  did  concur  in 
resolutions,  requesting  “ the  Governor  to  direct,  that  when 
the  census  is  taken  next  June,  the  sense  of  the  people  may 
at  that  time  be  enquired  into,  how  far  it  may  be  their  wish, 
for  admission  into  the  Union  as  a State,” — also  directing, 
“ that  John  Stone  be  allowed  ten  dollars,  for  the  use  of  the 
house  now  occupied  by  the  Legislative  Council.” — “ That 
James  White  be  allowed  five  dollars  for  the  use  of  the  court 
house  during  the  session  of  the  Assembly.” — “That  George 
Roulstone  & Co.  be  allowed  the  sum  of  ten  dollars,  if  in  ten 
days  they  print  fifty  copies  of  the  act,  ” respecting  the  levy- 
ing and  collecting  the  taxes.  “ That  John  Chisholm  be  al- 
lowed the  sum  of  two  dollars,  for  his  monies  expended  for 
the  public  service  of  this  Territory,  during  the  recess  of  the 
Assembly,”  and,  “ that  the  thanks  of  this  General  Assembly 
be  presented  to  Governor  Blount,  for  the  application  of  his 
abilities  and  attention,  in  forwarding  their  business  as  rep- 
resentatives ; more  especially,  in  compiling  and  arranging 
the  system  of  court  law  ; and  that  as  there  appears  to  be 
no  more  business  before  this  Assembly,  his  Excellency  be 
requested  to  prorogue  the  same  to  the  first  Monday  in  Octo- 
ber, 1795.” 

To  the  last  resolution,  the  Governor  sent  in  reply,  the  fol- 
lowing message — 

“ Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Legislative  Council,  and  Mr. 
Speaker  and  Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Representatives ; — While 
your  vote  of  thanks,  of  this  day,  affords  a proof  of  your  liberality, 
it  offers  me  the  highest  reward  for  such  attention  as  I have  had  in  my 
power  to  pay  to  the  court  and  other  laws.  I should  feel  myself  want- 
ing to  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives,  were  I not  to  ac- 
knowledge, that  the  laws  which  have  been  offered  for  my  assent,  have 
been  such  as  are  essential  to  the  promotion  of  the  public  happiness,  and 
that  no  law  of  importance  at  this  time  is  omitted.  Herewith  you  will 
receive  the  prorogation  to  the  day  as  by  you  requested. 

“ Knoxville,  September  30,  1794. 

Wh.  Blount.” 

PROROGATION. 

“William  Blount,  Governor  in  and  over  the  Territory  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  south  of  the  River  Ohio : 


636 


PROROGATION  OF  TERRITORIAL  ASSEMBLY. 


“ To  the  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Legislative  Council,  and  the 
Speaker  and  Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Representatives  : — The  session 
of  the  General  Assembly  is  prorogued,  until  the  first  Monday  in  the 
month  of  October,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-five,  then 
to  commence  at  this  place. 

“ Given  under  my  hand  at  Knoxville,  September  30,  1794. 

Wm.  Blount. 

“ By  the  Governor — Daniel  Smith.” 


1794 


The  per  diem  of  the  members  of  House  of  Representatives, 
and  of  the  Clerk  and  Door-keeper,  for  the  February  session, 
and  other  incidental  expenses,  amounted  to  $473,58-J. 

That  of  the  Legislative  Council,  for  the  August  and  Sep- 
tember session,  amounted  to  $970,7 If. 

And  that  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  for  the  same 
session,  1.700,1 6f. 

These  proceedings  of  the  Territorial  Legislature  will  ac- 
quaint the  reader  with  the  mode  of  transacting  its 
business,  and,  to  some  extent,  with  the  amount  and 
importance  of  its  labours.  It  may  be  safely  asserted  that, 
in  so  short  a session,  the  same  number  of  law  makers,  under 
like  difficulties  and  embarrassments,  never  had  achieved 
more.  Their  session  was  one  of  only  thirty-seven  days. 
The  number  of  members  was  small — in  the  Council,  five — 
in  the  House — thirteen,  and  some  of  these,  for  various  rea- 
sons, allowed  leave  of  absence,  at  different  periods  of  the 
session.  Most  of  them  too,  though  men  of  strong  intellect 
and  great  good  sense,  were  entirely  inexperienced  in  legisla- 
tion, and  uninformed  upon  some  of  the  subjects  the  emer- 
gency of  the  times  brought  up  for  their  action  and  decision. 
But  all  of  them  were  identified  with  the  interests  of  the 
people,  and  had  been  honoured  with  their  confidence 
on  account  of  their  patriotism  and  public  virtue.  They 
were  assiduous  in  the  discharge  of  their  new  duties,  and 
they  were  faithful  to  the  trust  confided  to  them.  Of  their 
competency,  the  work  executed  by  them  is  an  undying  me- 
morial. They  had  become  suddenljq  and,  with  many  of  them, 
unexpectedly,  the  guardians  of  weighty  interests  in  an  im- 
mense Territory.  The  foundations  of  society  were  to  be 
laid  in  different  isolated  communities,  extending  from  the 
Alleghanies  to  the  westernmost  settlement.  Invasion  from 


SEVIER  COUNTY. 


637 


hostile  Indian  tribes  had  to  be  repelled  ; an  exposed  frontier 
had  to  be  guarded  ; aggression  had  to  be  resisted  ; stations 
protected  ; forts  defended  ; emigrants  encouraged  ; and  roads 
had  to  be  opened  through  a trackless  wilderness ; towns  and 
counties  were  to  be  laid  out ; a police  to  be  established,  and 
public  buildings  to  be  erected.  A system  of  jurisprudence 
had  to  be,  if  not  enacted  de  novo,  amended,  enlarged  and 
remodeled,  in  adaptation  to  the  circumstances  and  wants  of 
a new  community.  These — these  all  were  to  be  done.  Nay, 
more — the  fostering  care  of  a new  government  had  to  be 
directed  to  the  improvement  and  refinement  of  the  “rising 
generation,”  and,  to  its  other  labours,  the  Legislature  added 
the  crowning  honour  of  founding,  at  its  first  session,  two 
Institutions  of  Learning. 

“ An  act  was  passed  to  divide  Jefferson  county  into  two 
distinct  counties.”  Joseph  Wilson,  Robert  Polk,  Samuel 
Magahee,  Samuel  Newell  and  Thomas  Buckingham,  are 
made  Commissioners  to  locate  the  court  house  in  the  new 
county,  which  is  called  Sevier ; courts  to  be  holden,  for  the 
first  time,  at  the  house  of  Isaac  Thomas. 

Sevier  county  was  attached  to  Hamilton  District.  The 
house  of  Isaac  Thomas,  where  the  first  court  for  Sevier 
county  was  holden,  stood  on  the  west  bank  of  Pigeon,  nearly 
opposite  the  confluence  of  its  east  and  west  branches,  be- 
tween which,  and  near  their  junction,  was,  October,  1795, 
laid  out,  and  afterwards  erected,  the  present  Sevierville.  It 
is  a beautiful  spot — surrounded  by,  and  embosomed  among, 
lofty  and  almost  inaccessible  heights,  through  which  the 
confluents  glide  in  placid  quiet  or  rush  with  boisterous  vio- 
lence through  their  narrow  and  tortuous  channels.  The 
bottoms  below  Sevierville  are  remarkable  for  their  fertility. 
The  county  has  been  the  land  of  hunters,  soldiers  and  patri- 
ots. It  has  its  stations,  forts  and  battle  grounds.  It  was 
one  of  the  counties  of  Franklin.  Dumplin  Treaty  was  ‘held 
on  its  soil. 

The  magistrates  who  held  the  first  court,  Nov.  8,  1794, 
were — “The  Worshipful  Samuel  Newell,  Joseph  Wilson, 
Joshua  Gist,  Peter  Bryant,  Joseph  Vance  and  Andrew  Ev- 
ans.” Besides  these,  there  were  magistrates  not  present — 


638  EXTENSIVE  JURISDICTION  OF  SEVIER  COUNTY. 

M.  Lewis  and  Robert  Pollock.  The  county  officers  were — 
“Samuel  Newell,  first  chairman  ; Joshua  Gist,  2d  ; and  Jo- 
seph Wilson,  3d  ;”  Samuel  Wear,  clerk;  John  Lowry,  coun- 
ty solicitor  ; Ambrose  Arthur,  deputy  sheriff ; Jesse  Byrd, 
Register  ; Thomas  Buckingham,  collector  ; Mordecai  Lewis, 
coroner  ; Alexander  Montgomery,  ranger.” 

In  the  early  minutes  of  the  County  Court  of  Sevier,  may 
be  seen  something  of  the  summary  proceedings  which  char- 
acterized the  courts  of  Franklin  or  the  Temporary  form  of 
Government  which,  south  of  French  Broad,  followed  the 
dissolution  of  that  State.  At  April  Term,  1795,  it  was — 
“ Ordered — That  a bill  of  sale  from  J.  R.  to , bear- 

ing date  December  17,  1794,  shall  not  be  admitted  to  record, 
and  that  the  word  Fraudulent  be  wrote,  by  the  clerk,  on  the 
face  of  said  bill  of  sale.” 

The  jurisdiction  of  the  court  was  exercised  beneficently, 
not  only  within  the  limits  of  Sevier  county  and  of  the  Ter- 
ritory, but  embraced,  in  its  benevolent  plenitude  of  power, 
the  contiguous  State  of  Virginia  also.  October  sessions, 
1795,  it  was — “Ordered  that  an  idiot,  produced  by  John 
Craig,  to  this  court,  is  to  be  delivered  to  a constable  of  this 
county,  to  be  conveyed  to  the  next  constable,  and  so  from 
officer  to  officer,  until  she  is  conveyed  to  the  proper  owner, 
in  the  State  of  Virginia,  which  is,  by  information,  M.  M.  in 
Powell’s  Valley.” 

The  legislature  exhibited  no  indifference  to  the  pleasant 
charities  of  life.  Ample  provision  was  made  by  law,  for 
persons  disabled  by  wounds,  and  for  the  widows  and  or- 
phans of  such  as  had  died  in  the  military  service  of  the 
country. 

Among  other  acts  of  a local  character,  was  one  for  estab- 
lishing Knoxville.  It  was,  at  that  time,  the  seat  of  the  Ter- 
ritorial Government,  and  so  continued  to  be,  during  the  exist- 
ence of  that  organization.  It  became  the  seat  of  Govern- 
ment of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  and  so  continued  to  be  for 
many  years  after.  Kingston,  Murfreesborough  and  Nashville, 
were  its  successors  for  several  years,  when,  in  1817,  Knox- 
ville again  became  the  seat  of  Government,  but  for  the  last 


KNOXVILLE,  FIRST  CAPITAL  OF  TENNESSEE. 


639 


time.  The  strong  flood  of  emigration  to  the  West,  had  car- 
ried with  it  the  centre  of  population  beyond  the  Cumberland 
Mountains,  and  with  it,  the  seat  of  Government.  The  scep- 
tre has  departed  from  her  ; but  time,  and  change,  and  progress, 
cannot  deprive  her  of  her  ancient  honours,  nor  make  her  less 
venerable  for  the  proud  associations  that  cluster  around 
her  early  history.  Here  Squollecuttah,  Kunoskeskie,  Nem- 
tooyah,  Chuquilatague,  Enolchi,  Talohtuski,  and  other  chief- 
tains of  the  Cherokee  nation,  met  Governor  Blount  in  Coun- 
cil, smoked  the  pipe  of  peace,  and  formed  the  Treat}r  of  Hol- 
ston  ; — here  the  pious  White  pitched  histent  in  the  wilderness, 
lived  his  life  in  patriarchal  simplicitjr  and  unostentatious 
usefulness  : — here  died  the  founder  of  Knoxville,  and  his 
memory  is  here  embalmed  in  the  affectionate  remembrance 
of  a succeeding  generation.  Here  the  infant  Government  of 
the  Territory  was  cradled,  and  nurtured  in  its  youth  by  the 
paternal  care  of  Blount,  of  Anderson  and  Campbell.  Here, 
too,  the  sages  and  patriots  of  1794,  met  and  deliberated,  and 
made  laws.  Here,  too,  was  born  the  infant  Hercules — since 
become  a giant — Tennessee.  Tennessee  looks  back  to  Knox- 
ville, and  recognizes  her  as  the  home  of  her  youth,  and  the 
fond  centre  of  her  hallowed  recollections. 

Speaking  of  the  question  of  State  or  no  State,  -which,  at 
this  time,  began  to  be  agitated  by  the  people  of  the  Territory, 
Governor  Blount  writes  to  General  Sevier,  December  4th  : 
“I  frankly  say  to  you,  lam  for  the  Territory  becoming  a 
State  as  early  as  possible  ; and  I think  this  change  can  be 
effected  so  as  to  have  a Constitution  formed,  and  a represen- 
tation in  the  next  Congress.  I have  already  written  to  my 
friends  in  Congress,  requesting  them  to  have  an  act  passed, 
authorizing  this  Territory  to  become  a State,  whenever  the 
people  shall  express  their  wishes  to  this  effect. 

“ On  the  night  of  the  twenty-fifth  of  May,  Mr.  George  Mann, 
( living  twelve  miles  above  Knoxville,  hearing  a noise 
( at  his  stable,  and  leaving  his  house  to  discover  the 
cause,  his  return  was  intercepted  by  Indians,  who  fired  upon 
and  dangerously  wounded  him.  He  fled  for  concealment  to 
a cave  at  a short  distance,  but  was  followed  by  the  savages, 
dragged  from  his  hiding  place  and  slain.  The  wife  had 


640 


HEROISM  OF  MRS.  MANN. 


heard  the  retreating  footsteps  of  the  Indians  as.  they  pursued 
her  husband,  and  having  locked  the  door,  sat  in  silent  expecta- 
tion, with  her  sleeping  children  around  her.  Soon  she  hears 
the  tramp  of  approaching  feet.  Perhaps  it  is  the  neighbours, 
alarmed  at  the  firing,  and  coming  to  the  rescue  ? She  is 
about  to  rush  out  and  meet  them,  but  she  hears  their  voices 
in  a strange  tongue.  The  horrible  conviction  seizes  her,  that 
the  savages  are  returning  to  the  slaughter.  The  rifle  is  in- 
stantly in  her  hands  ; that  morning  she  had  learned  the  use 
of  its  triggers,  and  levelling  it  carefully  at  the  crevice  ot  the 
door,  near  the  lock,  she  awaits  the  result.  Stealthy  steps 
are  moving  along  the  walls  ; the  door  is  pressed  against — it 
yields— is  partly  open — a savage  is  on  his  hands  and  knees 
at  the  entrance  ; another  behind,  and  still  another ; her  fin- 
ger is  upon  the  trigger  ; she  thinks  of  her  children,  and  fires  ! 
The  first  Indian  falls  heavily  to  the  ground — the  second 
screams  with  pain — the  others  gather  up  the  wounded 
and  fly  ! 

That  lone  woman,  by  her  courage  and  presence  of  mind, 
had  repulsed  twenty-five  savage  warriors.  Had  a word  es- 
caped her  lips  after  the  explosion  of  the  rifle,  the  lives  of 
herself  and  children  would  have  been  lost.  The  perfect  si- 
lence impressed  the  Indians,  and  believing  armed  men  to  be 
in  the  house,  they  fled.* 

The  Indians  set  fire  to  the  barns  and  out-buildings,  but  did 
not  venture  to  approach  the  house,  from  which  a defence  so 
heroic  and  successful  had  been  made.  Mann,  himself,  was 
found  next  morning,  cruelly  scalped  and  mutilated.  Pursuit 
was  made  after  the  body  of  Indians,  but  they  could  not  be 
overtaken. 

Dr.  White  regrets,  in  a letter  to  General  Sevier,  the  unwil- 
lingness of  Congress  to  pay  the  men  of  his  brigade,  and  its 
ungratelul  neglect  to  pay  the  Chickasaws,  and  adds,  “the 
Spaniards  will  not  neglect  the  opportunity  to  detach  those 
Indians  from  us.  The  Government  of  Louisiana  is  already 
fortifying  at  the  Chickasaw  Bluffs.” 

The  Spanish  authorities  still  retained  possession  of  the 


*Rev.  T.  W.  HumeV-Semi-centennial  Address. 


governor  blount’s  message. 


641 


fort  at  the  Chickasaw  Bluff,  and  it  was  not  surrendered  till  a 
special  demand  was  made  for  its  surrender  under  the  instruc- 
tions of  the  Federal  Government  to  Governor  Blount.  An- 
ticipating that  still  further  obstacles  would  be  thrown  in  the 
way  of  surrendering  Louisiana,  Mr.  Jefferson  called  for  a 
regiment  of  volunteers  from  Tennessee,  to  be  present  at  the 
surrender.* 

As  has  been  elsewhere  shewn,  the  Territorial  Assembly 
had  been  prorogued  by  Gov.  Blount  until  the  first  Monday 
of  October,  1795.  For  reasons  mentioned  in  his  Message,  he 
had  called  them  together  by  proclamation,  at  an  earlier  pe- 
riod, June  29,  1795.  Upon  that  day,  the  Legislative  Council 
and  the  House  of  Representatives  again  assembled  at  Knox- 
ville, and  there  held  the  second  session. 

In  the  Message  of  the  Governor,  he  said  : 

“ The  principal  object  for  which  I have  called  you  together,  at  an 
earlier  period  than  that  to  which  the  General  Assembly  stood  pro- 
rogued, is  to  afford  an  opportunity  to  inquire  whether  it  is,  as  I have 
been  taught  to  believe!,  the  wish  of  the  majority  of  the  people,  that  this 
Territory  should  become  a State,  when  by  taking  the  enumeration  there 
should  prove  to  be  sixty  thousand  free  inhabitants  therein,  or  at  such 
earlier  period  as  Congress  shall  pass  an  act  for  its  admission  ; and  if  it 
is,  to  take  such  measures  as  may  be  proper  to  effect  the  desired  change 
of  the  form  of  government  as  early  as  practicable. 

“ Upon  the  head  of  Indian  Affairs,  I have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you, 
that  the  prospect  of  peace  between  the  United  States  and  all  the  In- 
dian tribes  or  nations,  are  more  pleasing  than  in  any  other  period  since 
the  commencement  of  the  war  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
States.  I would  not,  however,  in  thus  expressing  myself,  be  understood 
that  it  is  my  opinion,  that  no  more  murders  and  thefts  will  be  commit- 
ted by  Indians  upon  the  frontier  citizens ; on  the  contrary,  I believe, 
that  while  there  is  a tribe  of  Indians  remaining  on  this  side  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi,! uncircumscribed  by  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  that  a 
description  of  them  by  the  chiefs,  denominated  bad  young  men,  will 
continue,  more  or  less,  frequently  to  commit  murders  and  thefts  upon 
the  frontier  inhabitants ; but  against  that  description  of  Indians,  as  well 
as  all  others,  should  an  alteration  of  disposition  take  place,  Congress, 
at  the  last  session,  by  the  augmentation  of  the  military  establishment, 
have  enabled  the  President  to  give  more  effectual  protection  to  the  fron- 
tier citizens  than  they  have  hitherto  experienced.” 

* Blount  Papers. 

t This  is  believed  to  be  the  first  intimation  of  the  wise  policy,  long  afterwards 
recommended  by  General  Jackson,  and  adopted  by  the  Government,  of  removing 
the  Indian  tribes  to  the  west  of  the  Mississippi. 

41 


642 


FLATTERING  STATE  OF  THE  FINANCES. 


“ Mr.  Sevier  moved  for  leave  and  presented  a bill  to  estab- 
lish a College  at  Salem,  in  Washington  county.” 

The  bill  establishing  “Washington  College,  in  honour  of 
the  illustrious  President  of  the  United  States,”  was  passed 
and  ordered  to  be  engrossed. 

“ An  Act,  etc.  Whereas,  the  Legislature  of  North-Carolina  estab- 
lished an  academy  in  Washington  county,  by  the  name  of  Martin  Aca- 
demy, which  has  continued  for  ten  or  twelve  years  past,  under  the  pre- 
sidency of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Doak,  and  has  been  of  considerable  utility 
to  the  public,  and  affords  a prospect  of  future  usefulness,  if  invested  with 
powers  and  privileges  appertaining  to  Colleges.” 

The  corporators  were  the  Rev.  Samuel  Doak,  President  • 
the  Rev.  Charles  Cummins,  Edward  Crawford,  John  Coson, 
James  Balch,  Robert  Henderson  and  Gideon  Blackburn; 
Judge  Joseph  Anderson;  General  John  Sevier;  Colonels 
Landon  Carter  and  Daniel  Kennedy;  Majors  Leeroy  Taylor 
and  John  Sevier;  John  Tipton,  William  Cocke,  Archibald 
Roane,  Joseph  Hamilton,  John  Rhea,  Samuel  Mitchell,  Jesse 
Payne,  James  Aiken  and  William  Charles  Cole  Claiborne, 
Esquires  ; Drs.  William  Holt  and  William  Chester;  Messrs. 
David  Deaderick,  John  Waddle,  Jun.,  Alexander  Matthews, 
John  Nelson  and  John  McAllister. 

July  7. — In  Council.  Mr.  Sevier,  from  the  Joint  Commit- 
tee appointed  for  that  purpose,  offered  the  following  address 
to  the  Governor : 

“ Sir : — The  members  of  the  Legislative  Council,  and  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  beg  leave  to  express  to  your  Excellency  their  appro- 
bation of  the  object  for  which  they  were  principally  called  together; 
and  feeling  convinced  that  the  great  body  of  our  constituents  are  sensi- 
ble of  the  many  defects  of  our  present  mode  of  government,  and  of  the 
great  and  permanent  advantages  to  be  derived  from  a change  and  speedy 
representation  in  Congress,  the  Genera'  Assembly  of  this  Territory  will, 
during  the  present  session,  endeavour  to  devise  such  means  as  may  have 
a tendency  to  effect  that  desirable  object ; and,  in  doing  so,  we  shall  be 
happy  in  meeting  with  your  Excellency’s  concurrence.” 

The  Joint  Committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  report  of 
( the  Treasurer  of  Washington  and  Hamilton  Districts 

1^95  1 ° > 

( give,  in  the  conclusion  of  their  report,  a flattering  view 
of  the  condition  of  the  finances  : 

“ Your  Committee  beg  leave  to  observe,  that  the  monies,  arising  from 
the  tax  levied  by  the  last  General  Assembly,  very  much  exceeds  their 
most  sanguine  expectations  ; and  that  such  will  be  the  state  of  the 
Treasury  Department,  that  the  next  tax  to  be  levied  may  be  very  much 


BLOUNT  COUNTY  ESTABLISHED. 


643 


lessened,  and  then  be  fully  commensurate  and  adequate  to  defray  every 
expenditure  and  necessary  contingency  of  our  government.” 

The  condition  of  the  Treasury,  thus  favourably  indicated 
through  official  sources,  doubtless  had  its  influence,  in  deter- 
mining public  sentiment  in  the  Territory  to  aspire  to  and 
assume  the  higher  position  of  an  independent  State.  The 
great  increase  of  population,  the  preference  of  the  inhabi- 
tants for  a state  form  of  government,  and  the  importance  of 
having  an  immediate  representation  of  this  large  section  of 
country  in  Congress,  induced  the  Assembly  to  have  a census 
of  the  people  made,  so  as  to  ascertain  whether  the  Territory 
contained  sixty  thousand  people.  Upon  that  question,  there 
was  little  conflict  of  opinion.  Non  progredi  est  regre.di , is 
the  Western  maxim,  and  it  was  apparent  that  the  Territo- 
rial Government  was  approaching  its  end — a single  dissen- 
tient was  found  in  the  Assembly. 

The  general  sentiment,  however,  was  otherwise,  and  the 
Legislature,  reflecting  the  opinion  of  the  people  at  large, 
passed  an  act  for  the  enumeration  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Territory,  in  which  it  was  provided,  that  “ if  it  shall  appear 
that  there  are  sixty  thousand  inhabitants  therein,  the  Gov- 
ernor be  authorized  and  requested  to  recommend  to  the  peo- 
ple of  the  respective  counties,  to  elect  five  persons  of  each 
county  to  represent  them  in  Convention,  to  meet  at  Knoxville 
at  such  time  as  he  shall  judge  proper,  for  the  purpose  of 
forming  a constitution  or  form  of  government,  for  the  per- 
manent government  for  the  people  who  are  or  shall  become 
residents  upon  the  lands  by  the  State  of  North-Carolina 
ceded  to  the  United  States.”  The  act  provides  also,  “ That 
each  member  of  Convention  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  the 
same  wages  as  a member  of  this  present  session  of  As- 
sembly.” 

By  an  act  passed  by  the  Governor,  Legislative  Council 
and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Territory,  Knox  county 
was  divided  and  Blount  county  established.  William  Wal- 
lace, Joseph  Black,  Samuel  Glass,  David  Craig,  John  Trim- 
ble, Alexander  Kelly  and  Samuel  Henry,  were  appointed 
Commissioners,  to  select  the  place  for  the  county  seat  and 
erect  county  buildings.  The  act  names  the  seat  of  jus- 


644  GOV.  VANDERHORST  SUGGESTS  ROAD  FROM  SO.  CAROLINA. 

tice,  Maryville.  This  was  out  of  respect  to  Mrs.  Mary 
Blount,  the  wife  of  the  Governor.  The  county  was  thus 
named  for  Governor  Blount.  The  first  Court  was  held  at 
the  house  of  Abraham  Weaver.  Blount  county  was  attached 
to  Hamilton  District. 

In  September,  of  this  year,  Blount  county  Court  first  met 
at  the  house  of  Abraham  Weaver.  William  Wallace,  Wil- 
liam Lowry,  Oliver  Alexander,  James  Scott,  David  Craig 
and  George  Ewing,  produced  commissions  from  Governor 
Blount,  appointing  them  magistrates  for  the  county.  Wil- 
liam Wallace  was  elected  Chairman  ; John  McKee,  Clerk  ; 
Littlepage  Simms,  Sheriff;  William  Wallace,  Register; 
Robert  Rhea,  Coroner. 

July  8. — Up  to  this  period,  emigrants  from  North  and  South- 
Carolina  had  continued  to  reach  the  Territory,  by  the  then 
usual  channels  of  travel  over  the  Yellow  and  Stone  Moun- 
tains, and  sometimes  by  the  Good  Spur  route  through  Western 
Virginia  and  the  valley  of  the  Holston.  On  the  8th  of  July, 
Governor  Blount  submitted  to  the  Council  “ several  papers, 
respecting  the  opening  of  a wagon  road  from  Buncombe 
Court-House,  in  North-Carolina,  to  this  Territory,”  and  re- 
commended this  important  measure  to  their  consideration. 
The  Council  appointed  a special  committee,  Messrs.  Sevier 
and  Taylor,  with  whom  the  House  associated  Messrs.  Wear, 
Cocke,  Doherty  and  Taylor,  to  whom  that  subject  was  re- 
ferred. They  report : 

“ Your  Committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolution  of  the  As- 
sembly of  South-Carolina,  together  with  Governor  Vanderhorst’s  and 
Blount’s  letters,  on  the  subject  of  cutting  and  opening  a road  through 
the  eastern  mountains,  report  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved , That  his  Excellency,  Governor  Blount,  be  authorized  and 
directed  to  appoint  three  Commissioners,  to  meet  the  three  Commission- 
ers appointed  by  the  State  of  South-Carolina,  to  deliberate  and  consult 
on  measures,  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  and  opening  a road  through  the 
eastern  mountains,  and  report  unto  our  next  General  Assembly  the 
result  of  their  conference ; also,  the  practicability  and  probable  expense 
of  cutting  and  opening  the  said  road  the  nearest  and  best  route  through 
the  mountains.” 

The  Governor  was  also  authorized  to  draw  “ a sum  out  of 
the  Treasury,  not  exceeding  one  hundred  dollars,”  to  defray 
the  expense  of  the  Commissioners. 


TERRITORIAL  GOVERNMENT  TERMINATES. 


645 


The  consideration  of  other  subjects  before  the  Legisla- 
ture, was  postponed.  The  conviction  had  become  general, 
that  the  Territorial  would  soon  be  superseded  by  a State 
Government,  and  to  its  counsels  and  authority,  the  pre- 
sent Assembly  chose  to  confide  whatever  was  defective 
or  immature  in  their  own  legislation.  The  session  was  a 
short  one — but  of  thirteen  days  continuance. 

The  Council  informed  the  House  by  message,  “ The  bu- 
siness being  about  to  be  brought  to  a close,  this  evening,  we 
propose  that  a message  be  sent  to  the  Governor,  informing 
him  of  the  same,  and  request  to  be  prorogued,” — which 
being  concurred  in  by  the  House,  the  Governor  sent  the  fol- 
lowing message — 

“ William  Blount,  Governor  in  and  over  the  Territory  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  south  of  the  River  Ohio. 

“ To  the  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Legislative  Council,  and 
the  Speaker  and  Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Representatives  : — The 
business  of  this  session  being  completed,  the  General  Assembly  is  pro- 
rogued, sine  die. 

“ Given  under  my  hand  and  seal,  at  Knoxville,  July  11,  1 TQS. 

Wm.  Blount. 

By  the  Gov. — Thomas  H.  Williams,  Pro  Secy” 

Governor  Blount,  in  the  reception  of  a liberal  salary  from 
the  United  States  Treasury,  and  from  the  resources  of  an 
ample  private  fortune,  had  been  able  to  indulge  his  disposi- 
tion to  entertain  freely  and  even  elegantly.  The  style  of  his 
receptions  was,  necessarily,  below  that  of  Philadelphia  and 
Wilmington,  but  it  was  from  the  condition  of  things,  scarcely 
less  expensive  to  the  liberal  host,  who,  in  the  infancy  of 
society  around  and  in  Knoxville,  left  no  means  unemployed 
to  manifest  a hospitality  at  once  worthy  of  the  chief  magis- 
trate, and  creditable  to  the  gentleman.  The  older  citizens 
still  refer  to  the  last  years  of  the  Territorial  Government,  as 
furnishing  models  of  refinement  and  etiquette,  of  gentility 
and  polish,  seldom  seen  in  a new  community.  Not  the  up- 
start consequence,  and  assumed  superiority  of  suddenly  ac- 
quired wealth  and  unexpected  promotion  ; but  the  genuine 
politeness,  ease,  grace  and  cordiality,  the  result  and  accom- 
paniment of  innate  good  feelings,  sterling  worth,  and  ad- 
mitted respectability.  The  court  of  Governor  Blount  was 


646 


COURT  OF  GOVERNOR  BLOUNT. 


thronged  by  strangers  and  gentlemen,  visiting  the  seat  of 
Government  from  all  parts  of  the  Union  on  business,  or  for 
curiosity  and  pleasure.  Levees  and  entertainments  became 
frequent  and  crowded.  There  was  wanting,  of  course,  the 
Parisian  saloon,  the  servants  in  livery,  and  all  of  the  exterior 
of  a princely  munificent  entertainment.  But  then,  there  was 
what  is  far  better — the  cordiality  and  the  absence  of  cere- 
mony, and  the  warm-hearted  and  brotherly  greeting,  without 
which,  all  the  attraction  of  conviviality  are  empty  and 
valueless. 

At  such  assemblages,  each  guest  felt  himself  the  Go- 
vernor’s favourite.  Conscious  private  worth  and  capacity, 
and  fidelity  in  the  public  service,  were  assured  of  his  regard 
and  his  civility,  though  clad  in  the  plainest  garb,  or  presented 
in  the  Hunting  shirt  or  seen  in  a less  imposing  exterior.  Then 

“ ’Twas  worth  that  made  the  man, 

And  want  of  it  the  fellow.” 


THE  STATE  OF  TENNESSEE. 


647 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  STATE  OF  TENNESSEE. 

More  than  a quarter  of  a century  had  now  passed,  since 
T796  i the  germ  °f  civilization  had  been  planted  by  the  pio- 
l neers  of  Tennessee  upon  the  banks  of  the  Watauga. 
Their  progress  westward  has  been  given  in  the  preced- 
ing pages,  with  such  account  of  their  civil  and  military 
annals,  and  their  social  advancement,  as  the  limited  supply 
of  material  within  the  writer’s  command,  has  enabled  him  to 
furnish.  Under  the  simplest  form  of  government,  the  patri- 
archal system  of  Robertson  and  Carter,  and  their  associates 
on  Watauga,  we  have  seen  the  infancy  of  Tennessee — au- 
guring bright  hope  and  brilliant  expectation  for  its  future. 
That  hope  and  expectation  we  have  seen  gloriously  realized 
in  the  active  participation  of  the  western  volunteers  in  the 
American  Revolution.  With  the  establishment  of  their  Na- 
tional Independence,  we  have  noticed  the  origin  and  growth 
of  empire  in  the  West — the  wish  to  govern  themselves  under 
a sovereignty  purely  western.  We  have  traced  the  rise, 
progress  and  fall  oftthe  ancient  Commonwealth  of  Franklin. 
We  have  given  the  history  of  the  Territory  of  the  United 
States  south  of  the  River  Ohio.  In  all  these  varied  periods 
of  her  grftwth,  Ave  have  seen  much  to  admire,  little  to  cen- 
sure or  condemn,  in  the  Annals  of  our  proud  State.  Here 
and  there  a youthful  indiscretion  or  a wrong-doing,  which 
time,  reflection  and  experience,  have  promptly  corrected. 
Now  and  then,  an  act  of  disobedience,  or  a feeling  of  insub- 
ordination, soon  after  atoned  for,  by  dutiful  affection  and  filial 
regard  ; always  a manly  assertion  of  the  rights  and  privile- 
ges of  grown-up  sons,  without  a perverse  and  stubborn  dis- 
position to  cast  off  or  rebel  against  rightful  authority.  .An 
impatience,  sometimes,  to  set  up  for  and  govern  themselves, 
rather  than  wilful  disobedience,  filial  impiety  or  unfraternal 
feeling.  Her  infancy,  youth,  boyhood,  had  been  well  passed, 


648 


CENSUS  OF  THE  TERRITORY. 


and  Tennessee  had  now  attained  the  growth,  and  vigour,  and 
strength,  and  stately  proportions  of  a full  grown  manhood. 
Hereafter  she  will  be  noticed  as  a State,  free,  independent 
and  sovereign,  and  a member  of  the  American  Union. 

In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  the  Terri- 
torial Government,  of  July  ] 1,  1795,  an  enumeration  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Territory  was  made.  The  results  of  that 
enumeration  are  found  in  the  following  schedule,  as  fur- 
nished by  Governor  Blount,  and  afterwards  forwarded  by 
him  to  George  Washington,  President  of  the  United  States. 

Territory  of  the  U.  States  of  America  south  of  the  River  Ohio. 

Schedule  of  the  aggregate  amount  of  each  description  of  persons , taken 
agreeably  to  “ An  act  providing  for  the  enumeration  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Territory  of  the  United  States  of  America  south  of  the 
River  Ohio  passed  July  11,  1795. 


Free  white 
males,  16 
years  and 
upwards, 
including 
heads  of 
families. 

Free  white 
males  under 
16  years. 

Free  white 
females,  in- 
cluding 
heads  of 
families. 

All 

other 

free 

persons. 

Slaves. 

Total 

amount 

Yeas. 

Nays*. 

Jefferson  CoTinty,  - 

1,706 

2,225 

3,021 

112 

776 

7,840 

714 

316 

Hawkins  County,  - 

2,666 

3,279 

4,767 

147 

2,472 

13,331 

1.651 

634 

Greene  County, 

1,567 

2,203 

3,350 

52 

466 

7,638 

560 

495 

Knox  County, 

2,721 

2,723 

3,664 

100 

2,365 

11,573 

1.100 

128 

Washington  County, 

2,013 

2,578 

4,311 

225 

978 

10,105 

873 

145 

Sullivan  County 

1,803 

2,340 

3,499 

38 

777 

8,457 

715 

125 

Sevier  County, 

628 

1,045 

1,503 

273 

129 

3,578 

£61 

55 

Blount  County, 

585 

817 

1,231 

00 

183 

2,816 

476 

16 

Davidson  County,  - 

728 

695 

1,192 

6 

992 

3,613 

96 

517 

Sumner  County, 

1,382 

1,595 

2,316 

1 

1,076 

6,370 

00 

00 

Tennessee  County,  - 

380 

444 

700 

19 

398 

1,941 

58 

231 

16,179 

19,944 

29,554 

§13 

10,613 

77,262 

6.504 

2,562 

I,  William  Blount,  Governor  in  and  over  the  Territory  of  the  United 
States  of  America  south  of  the  River  Ohio,  do  certify  that  this  schedule 
is  made  in  conformity  with  the  schedules  of  the  sheriffs  of  the  respec- 
tive counties  in  the  said  Territory,  and  that  the  schedules  of  the  said- 
sheriffs  are  lodged  in  my  office. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  Knoxville,  November  28,  1795. 

William  Blount. 

From  this  enumeration  it  appears,  that  more  than  one- 
third  of  the  voters  in  the  Territory,  were  opposed  to  the 
formation  of  the  State  Government.  This  opposition  was 
strongest  in  the  Cumberland  counties  : only  ninety-six  in 
Davidson,  and  fifty-eight  in  Tennessee  county,  voting  in  its 
favour  ; while  east  of  Cumberland  Mountain,  the  majority 
for  the  new  State  was  large,  approaching,  in  Blount  and 


governor  blount’s  proclamation. 


G49 


Sevier,  almost  to  unanimity,  occasioned  probably  by  the 
peculiar  situation  of  their  land  titles.  Governor  Blount  and 
the  officers  of  his  government,  were  understood  to  be 
decidedly  in  favour  of  the  State  organization,  and  General 
Sevier  and  his  adherents  zealously  so.  “ Sevier  and  his  Cap- 
tains” were  still  omnipotent. 

The  Territory  was  found  to  contain  cnore  than  the  num- 
ber of  inhabitants,  requisite  by  the  Ordinance  creating  it, 
to  authorize  the  formation  of  a State  Government,  and  Go- 
vernor Blount  issued  his  proclamation. 

William  Blount,  Governor  in  and  over  the  Territory  of  the  United 

States  of  America  south  of  the  River  Ohio,  to  the  people  thereof; 

Whereas,  by  an  act  passed  on  the  11th  day  of  July  last,  entitled 
“ An  act  providing  for  the  enumeration  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Terri- 
tory of  the  United  States  of  America  south  of  the  River  Ohio,”  it  is 
enacted,  “ that  if  upon  taking  the  enumeration  of  the  people  in  the  said 
Territory  as  by  that  directed,  it  shall  appear  that  there  are  sixty  thou- 
sand inhabitants  therein,  counting  the  whole  of  the  free  persons,  inclu- 
ding those  bound  to  service  for  a term  of  years,  and  excluding  Indians 
not  taxed,  and  adding  three-fifths  of  all  other  persons,  the  Governor 
be  authorized  and  requested  to  recommend  to  the  people  of  the  re- 
spective counties  to  elect  five  persons  for  each  county,  to  represent  them 
in  convention,  to  meet  at  Knoxville,  at  such  time  as  he  shall  judge 
proper,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a constitution  or  permanent  form  of 
government.” 

And  whereas,  upon  taking  the  enumeration  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
said  Territory,  as  by  the  act  directed,  it  does  appear  that  there  are  sixty 
thousand  free  inhabitants  therein,  and  more,  besides  other  persons : 
Now  I,  the  said  William  Blount,  Governor,  &c.,  do  recommend  to  the 
people  of  the  respective  counties  to  elect  five  persons  for  each  county, 
on  the  18th  and  19th  days  of  December  next,  to  represent  them  in  a 
convention  to  meet  at  Knoxville,  on  the  11th  day  of  January  next,  for 
the  purpose  of  forming  a constitution  or  permanent  form  of  govern- 
ment. 

And  to  the  end  that  a perfect  uniformity  in  the  election  of  the  mem- 
bers of  convention  may  take  place  in  the  respective  counties,  I,  the  said 
William  Blount,  Governor,  &c.,  do  further  recommend  to  the  sheriffs  or 
their  deputies,  respectively,  to  open  and  hold  polls  of  election  for  mem- 
bers of  convention,  on  the  18th  and  19th  days  of  December,  as  afore- 
said, in  the  same  manner  as  polls  of  election  have  heretofore  been  held 
for  members  of  the  General  Assembly  ; and  that  all  free  males,  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  and  upwards,  be  considered  entitled  to  vote  by  ballot 
for  five  persons  for  members  of  convention  ; and  that  the  sheriffs  or 
their  deputies,  holding  such  polls  of  election,  give  certificates  to  the  five 
persons  in  each  county,  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes,  of  their 
being  duly  elected  members  of  convention. 


650 


CONVENTION  OF  TENNESSEE 


And  I,  the  said  William  Blount,  Governor,  &c.,  think  proper  here  to 
declare,  that  this  recommendation  is  not  intended  to  have,  nor  ought 
to  have,  any  effect  whatever  upon  the  present  temporary  form  of 
government;  and  that  the  present  temporary  form  will  continue  to  be 
exercised  in  the  same  manner  as  if  it  had  never  been  issued,  until  the 
convention  shall  have  formed  and  published  a constitution  or  permanent 
form  of  government. 

Done  at  Knoxville,  November  twenty -eight,  one  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred and  ninety-five.  • 

Wm.  Blount. 

By  the  Gov. — Willie  Blount,  Pro  Secretary. 

In  accordance  with  this  proclamation,  elections  were  held 
for  five  members  of  Convention,  from  each  of  the  eleven 
counties  in  the  Territory.  These  assembled  on  the  day  ap- 
pointed, Jan.  11,  at  Knoxville. 

Besides  the  members,  there  was  an  immense  gathering 
of  the  more  enlightened,  patriotic  and  influential  citizens, 
from  all  parts  of  the  Territory,  and  some  from  other  states. 
Knoxville  had  never  before  contained  more  intelligence 
and  weight  of  character.  The  occasion  demanded  wisdom 
and  moderation,  public  spirit  and  public  virtue — and  these 
were  there. 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  CONVENTION  OF  1796. 

The  following  members  appeared  at  Knoxville,  produced 
their  credentials,  and  took  their  seats,  to  wit : 

From  the  County  of  Blount — David  Craig,  James  Greena- 
way, Joseph  Black,  Samuel  Glass,  James  Houston. 

From  the  County  of  Davidson — John  McNairy,  Andrew 
Jackson,  James  Robertson,  Thomas  Hardeman,  Joel  Lewis. 

From  the  County  of  Greene — :Samuel  Frazier,  Stephen 
Brooks,  William  Rankin,  John  Galbreath,  Elisha  Baker. 

From  the  County  of  Hawkins  — James  Berry,  Thomas 
Henderson,  Joseph  McMinn,  William  Cocke,  Richard  Mitch- 
ell.* 

From  the  County  of  Jefferson — Alexander  Outlaw,  Joseph 
Anderson,  George  Doherty,  William  Roddye,  Archibald 
Roane. 

* Mr.  Mitcliell  still  survives,  and  is  believed  to  be  tbe  only  living  member  of 
the  Convention  of  1796. 


MEETS  AT  KNOXVILLE. 


651 


From  the  County  of  Knox — William  Blount,  James  White, 
Charles  McCkmg,  John  Adair,  John  Crawford. 

From  the  County  of  Sullivan — George  Rutledge,  William 
C.  C.  Claiborne,  John  Shelby,  Jun.,  John  Rhea,  Richard 
Gammon. 

From  the  County  of  Sevier — Peter  Bryan,  Samuel  Wear, 
Spencer  Clack,  John  Clack,  Thomas  Buckenham. 

From  the  County  of  Tennessee—' Thomas  Johnston,  James 
Ford,  William  Fort,  Robert  Prince,  William  Prince. 

From  the  County  of  Washington — Landon  Carter,  John 
Tipton,  Leeroy  Taylor,  James  Stuart,  Samuel  Handley. 

From  the  County  of  Sumner — D.  Shelby,  Isaac  Walton, 
W.  Douglass,  Edward  Douglass,  Daniel  Smith. 

The  Convention  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  a President, 
when  William  Blount  was  unanimously  elected  and  conduct- 
ed to  the  chair.  William  Maclin  was  chosen  secretary,  and 
John  Sevier,  Jun.,  reading  and  engrossing  clerk.  John 
Rhea  was  appointed  door-keeper. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  White,  seconded  by  Mr.  Roddye, — Or- 
dered— That  the  session  commence  to-morrow  with  prayer, 
and  a sermon  to  be  delivered  by  Rev.  Mr.  Garrick. 

The  rules  for  the  government  of  the  Convention  were, 
with  slight  modifications,  the  same  that  had  been  adopted 
by  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Territorial  Assem- 
bly, Aug.  6,  1794. 

The  per  diem  of  the  members  of  the  Convention  had  been 
fixed  by  the  Territorial  Legislature,  at  two  dollars  and  a 
half ; no  provision,  however,  had  been  made  for  the  pay  of 
its  secretary , printer,  and  other  officers. 

The  Convention,  on  the  second  day  of  its  session,  exhib- 
ited a singular  instance  of  disinterestedness  and  economy. 

“ On  motion  of  Mr.  Claiborne,  seconded  by  Mr.  Rut- 
ledge : 

Resolved , That  economy  is  an  amiable  trait  in  any  government,  and 
that  in  fixing  the  salaries  of  the  officers  thereof,  the  situation  and  re- 
sources of  the  country  should  he  attended  to. 

Resolved , That  ten  shillings  and  sixpence,  Virginia  currency,  per  day 
to  every  member,  is  a sufficient  compensation  for  his  services  in  the 
Convention,  and  one  dollar  for  every  thirty  miles  they  travel  in  coming 
to  and  returning  from  the  Convention  ; and  that  the  members  pledge 


652 


CONSTITUTION  OF  TENNESSEE  ADOPTED. 


themselves,  each  one  to  the  other,  that  they  will  not  draw  a greater  sum 
out  of  the  public  treasury.” 

The  second  resolution  was  amended  by  substituting  one 
dollar  and  fifty  cents  for  ten  shillings  and  sixpence,  Virginia 
currency,  and,  thus  amended,  was  unanimously  adopted. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Robertson,  seconded  by  Mr.  Ford, 

“ Resolved,  That  the  House  proceed  to  appoint  two  mem- 
bers from  each  county,  to  draft  a constitution,  and  that  each 
county  name  their  members.” 

Messrs.  Craig  and  Black  were  nominated  for  Blount. 


a 

McNairy  and  Jackson 

££ 

Davidson. 

Frazier  and  Rankin 

Greene. 

u 

Cocke  and  Henderson 

a 

Hawkins. 

u 

Anderson  and  Roddye 

££ 

Jefferson. 

££ 

Blount  and  McClung 

££ 

Knox. 

a 

Claiborne  and  Rhea 

££ 

Sullivan. 

££ 

Shelby  and  Smith 

££ 

Sumner. 

u 

Wear  and  John  Clack, 

££ 

Sevier. 

a 

Johnston  and  Fort 

££ 

Tennessee. 

u 

Tipton  and  Stuart 

££ 

Washington. 

“ On  motion  of  Mr.  McMinn,  the  opinion  of  the  House 
was  taken,  whether  a Bill  of  Rights  be  prefixed  to  the  Con- 
stitution ; and  having  decided  that  in  the  affirmative,  the 
House  directed  the  Committee  to  present  as  early  as  possi- 
ble a Declaration  or  Bill  of  Rights,  to  be  prefixed  to  the  Con- 
stitution.” 

Mr.  Smith,  Chairman,  presented  to  the  Convention  a draft 
of  the  Bill  of  Rights.  It  was  considered  in  Committee  of 
the  Whole,  Mr.  Robertson  in  the  chair.  In  like  manner,  a 
draft  of  the  Constitution  was,  on  the  27th  of  January,  “ de- 
livered in  at  the  Secretary’s  table  and  read.”  The  next  day 
it  was  taken  up,  referred  to  the  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
and  considered  and  amended  until  the  6th  of  February, 
when  “ the  engrossed  copy  of  the  Constitution  was  read  and 
passed  unanimously.” 

The  debates  of  the  Convention  are  not  given  in  the  Jour- 
nal. They  are  not  to  be  found  elsewhere.  A single  mem- 
ber of  that  patriotic  body  survives.  Accounts,  therefore,  of 
its  more  minute  transactions  are  meagre,  and  the  details  of 


DEBATES  OF  THE  CONVENTION. 


653 


the  views  of  members,  and  their  position  upon  subjects  about 
which  a conflict  of  sentiment  had  arisen,  can  be  gathered 
only  from  the  ayes  and  noes — as  occasionally  called  for  du- 
ring the  session — and  from  the  recollections  of  the  few  sur- 
viving contemporaries  of  these  sages  of  1796. 

The  session  of  the  Convention  was  short,  extending  to 
only  twenty-seven  days.  Its  deliberations  are  said  to  have 
been  marked  by  great  moderation  and  unusual  harmony, 
and  to  have  been  conducted  throughout  with  singular  cour- 
tesy, good  feeling  and  liberality.  The  speeches  of  members 
were,  therefore,  probably  few  and  short.  They  had  met 
more  with  the  purpose  of  deliberating  for  the  public  good, 
than  for  the  exhibition  of  talents  and  eloquence. 

Early  in  the  session,  Mr.  Outlaw  presented  a grave  ques- 
tion to  the  Convention,  viz  : “ whether  the  Legislature  con- 
sist of  two  Houses.”  In  Committee  of  the  Whole,  it  was 
decided  in  the  affirmative.  On  motion  of  Mr.  McNairy, 
seconded  by  Mr.  Cocke,  a question  of  equal  gravity  was  next 
considered,  viz  : “ whether  the  two  branches  in  the  Legisla- 
ture shall  consist  of  equal  numbers  and  of  equal  powers, 
and  if  the  whole  number  elected  should  be  odd,  then  by  bal- 
lot to  determine  to  which  House  the  odd  member  belongs.” 
In  Committee  of  the  Whole,  it  was  determined  “ that  the 
legislative  power  be  vested  in  two  Houses,  of  equal  num- 
bers and  of  equal  powers  ;”  and  so  reported  to  the  Conven- 
tion. This  report  was,  however,  re-considered  the  next  day, 
on  motion  of  Mr.  McNairy,  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Rhea,  and 
“ amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows  : in  lieu  of  the  words, 
two  Houses,  insert  one  House  of  Representatives,  and  that 
no  bill  or  resolution  shall  be  passed,  unless  by  two-thirds  of 
the  whole  number  of  members  present.”  This  amendment 
was  concurred  in  by  the  Convention,  but  the  next  morning  a 
re-consideration  was  again  ordered,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Rod- 
dye,  seconded  by  Mr.  Fort,  and  “two  branches,  a Senate 
and  House  of  Representatives,”  again  inserted.  This  amend- 
ment, too,  was  adopted  by  the  Committee,  on  motion  of  Mr. 
Cocke,  seconded  by  Mr.  Jackson.  “ Mr.  Anderson  moved 
that  the  report  of  the  Committee  be  amended,  by  striking 
out  the  word  Senate,  which  passed  in  the  negative.” 

“ It  was  then  moved  by  Mr.  Claiborne,  and  seconded  by 


654 


DECISION  ON  SEVERAL  QUESTIONS. 


Mr.  Carter,  that  the  report  be  amended  as  follows : that  the 
Senate  have  only  a qualified  negative,  and  that  a bill,  not- 
withstanding their  dissent,  shall  become  a law,  provided 
two-thirds  of  the  House  of  Representatives  concur  in  its 
passage,  which  passed  in  the  negative.” 

Later  in  the  session,  “ it  was  moved  by  Mr.  Outlaw,  and 
seconded  by  Mr.  Anderson,  whether  it  is  the  sense  of  this 
House,  that  if  we  should  not  be  admitted  by  Congress  as  a 
member  State  of  the  General  Government,  that  we  should 
continue  to  exist  as  an  independent  State.”  “ Mr.  Cocke 
moved  the  postponement  of  the  question,  which  was  objected 
to  ; the  question  was  then  put,  and  carried  in  the  affirmative.” 
An  ineffectual  attempt  was  made  by  Mr.  Henderson,  to 
extend  the  right  of  suffrage  to  “all  persons  who  have  done 
duty  in  the  militia;”  and  by  Mr.  Outlaw,  “to  all  persons 
liable  by  law  to  do  militia  duty  ;”  and  by  Mr.  Anderson,  to 
change  the  system  of  voting  by  ballot  to  the  viva  voce  plan. 
The  original  draft  of  the  Constitution,  provided,  in 

“Article  VIII,  Sec.  1. — Whereas , the  ministers  of  the  Gospel  are,  by 
their  professions,  dedicated  to  God  and  the  care  of  souls,  and  ought  not 
to  be  diverted  from  the  great  duties  of  their  functions  ; therefore,  no 
minister  of  the  Gospel,  orpriestof  any  denomination  whatever,  shall,  un- 
der any  pretence  or  description,  be  eligible  to  or  capable  of  holding  any 
civil  or  military  office,  or  place  of  trust,  within  this  state.”  On  motion 
of  Mr.  Carter,  seconded  by  Mr.  Jackson,  this  was  amended,  so  as  to  read 
after  the  word  “eligible,  to  a seat  in  either  branch  of  the  Legislature.”. 

It  was  through  the  efforts  of  William  Blount,  that  the 
Convention  adopted  the  20th  section  of  the  Bill  of  Rights — 
“ That  an  equal  participation  of  the  free  navigation  of  the 
Mississippi,  is  one  of  the  inherent  rights  of  the  citizens  of 
this  State ; it  cannot,  therefore,  be  conceded  to  any  prince, 
potentate,  power,  person  or  persons  whatever.* 

In  section  31st  of  the  Bill  of  Rights,  adopted  with  the 
Constitution,  it  is  provided — “ That  the  people  residing  south 
of  French  Broad  and  Holston,  between  the  Rivers  Tennessee 
and  Big  Pigeon,  are  entitled  to  the  right  of  pre-emption  and 
occupancy  in  that  tract.”  This  right  was  secured  to  them 
by  the  framers  of  the  Constitution,  in  consideration  of  the 
value  to  the  country  of  these  settlements.  These  brave 
pioneers  had  extended  themselves  as  a barrier  between  the 


* Blount  Papers. 


JACKSON  SUGGESTS  THE  NAME  TENNESSEE. 


655 


older  settlements  and  the  Indians — maintaining  their  ground, 
without  titles  to  their  lands,  from  1783  to  1790  ; living 
there,  part  of  this  interim,  without  the  benefit  of  law,  en- 
during trouble,  encountering  danger,  and  exposed  to  pillage, 
massacre  and  death.  The  privilege  of  pre-emption  was 
richly  deserved. 

A further  privilege  was  granted  to  these  inhabitants. 
“ Until  a Land  Office  shall  be  opened,  so  as  to  enable  the 
citizens  south  of  French  Broad  and  Holston,  between  the 
Rivers  Tennessee  and  Big  Pigeon,  to  obtain  titles  upon  their 
claims  of  occupancy  and  pre-emption,  those  who  hold  land, 
by  virtue  of  such  claims,  shall  be  eligible  to  serve  in  all 
capacities  where  a freehold  is,  by  this  Constitution,  made  a 
requisite  qualification.” 

It  is  tradition,  that  the  beautiful  name  given  to  our  State, 
in  the  Convention,  was  suggested  by  General  Jackson.  The 
members  from  the  county  of  Tennessee  consented  to  the  loss 
of  that  name,  if  it  should  be  transferred  to  the  whole  State. 
Its  principal  river  still  retained  its  aboriginal  name,  and  the 
Convention  adopted  it,  in  preference  to  others  that  were 
spoken  of.  In  euphony  and  smoothness,  it  compares  well 
with  those  of  her  sister  coterminous  states,  Alabama,  Missis- 
sippi, Arkansas,  Missouri  and  Kentucky  ; and.  at  the  same 
time,  is  more  American,  less  European,  than  her  venerable 
mother,  Carolina,  or  Virginia  and  Georgia. 

The  Convention  had  approached  nearly  to  the  end  of  its 
labours,  Saturday,  February  6,  1796. 

“ Mr.  McClung,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  draw  up  an 
estimate  of  the  expenses  of  the  Convention,  reported  the  following  esti- 
mate of  the  wages  of  the  Convention,  clerks  and  door-keeper,  began 
and  held  at  Knoxville  on  the  11th  day  of  January,  and  ending  the  6th 
day  of  February,  1796,  allowing  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per  day  for 
each  member,  and  one  dollar  for  every  thirty  miles’  travelling  to  and 
returning  from  the  same,  agreeably  to  a unanimous  resolution  of  the 
Convention  of  the  12th  January ; two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  day  to 
the  clerks,  and  two  dollars  to  the  door-keeper.” 

In  addition  to  the  per  diem  of  the  members  and  officers  of 
the  Convention,  an  estimate  was  made 

For  seats  for  the  Convention.  - - - $10  00 

Three  and  a half  yards  of  oil  cloth, 


2 62 


656 


CONSTITUTION  OF  TENNESSEE  FORWARDED 


So  small  was  the  expenditure  of  a primitive  people  for 
the  furniture  of  the  Convention  Chamber,  and  the  covering 
of  the  President’s  and  Secretary’s  tables.  They  were  in  ex- 
act correspondence  with  the  room  in  which  the  session  was 
held.  It  was  the  office  of  David  Henley,  Esq.,  Agent  of  the 
Department  of  War,  a small  building  then  in  the  outer  part 
of  Knoxville,  and  still  surrounded  by  standing  trees  of  the 
ancient  forest.  It  was  afterwards  used  as  a school  house. 
The  older  citizens  can  point  out  to  the  curious  where  the  old 
Convention-house  stood,  but  no  vestige  of  it  has  been  pre- 
served. The  vandalism  of  modern  times  has  razed  its  foun- 
dation, and  consigned  it  to  oblivion. 

The  Convention  had  generously  relinquished  a large  pro- 
portion of  the  daily  pay  of  its  own  members,  and  they  re- 
commended the  application  of  that  amount  to  the  following 
purposes  : 

“ Resolved , That  it  is  the  unanimous  wish  of  the  members  of  this 
Convention,  that,  the  monies  appropriated  to  their  use  by  law,  and  not 
by  them  received,  may  be  appropiated  by  the  General  Assembly  to  the 
payment  of  the  secretary,  clerk,  printer  and  door-keeper,  or  so  much 
thereof  as  will  be  sufficient  to  pay  them  for  their  services ; and  that  the 
printer  be  directed  to  print  fifty  copies  of  the  Constitution,  and  ten  copies 
of  the  Journal  for  each  county,  to  be  delivered  to  the  members  of  this 
Convention,  and  by  them  to  be  distributed  for  the  information  and  bene- 
fit of  the  citizens.”*' 

The  President  of  the  Convention  was  instructed  “to  take 
the  Constitution  into  his  safe  keeping,  until  a Secretary  shall 
be  appointed  and  qualified  to  office  under  it,  and  then  to  de- 
liver it  to  him,”  and  also  to  “ forward,  as  early  as  practica- 
ble, by  an  express,  a copy  to  the  Secretary  of  State  for  the 
United  States.”  The  President  was  further  “ authorized  and 
directed  to  issue  writs  of  election  to  Sheriffs  of  the  several 
counties,  for  holding  the  first  election  of  members  of  the 
General  Assembly,  and  a Governor,  under  the  authority  of 
the  Constitution  of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  to  bear  test  of 
this  date.” 

* This  small  edition  was,  of  course,  soon  exhausted,  and  at  the  time  of  this  wri- 
ting, a copy  can  scarcely  be  found.  The  writer  is  indebted,  for  the  copy  now  before 
him,  to  the  politeness  and  research  of  the  Hon.  Chancellor  Reese,  President  of  the 
East  Tennessee  Historical  and  Antiquarian  Society. 


TO  SECRETARY  OF  STATE. 


657 


Agreeably  to  these  instructions  of  the  Convention,  the 
President  promptly  forwarded,  on  the  9th  of  February,  a copy 
of  the  Constitution  to  Mr.  Pickering,  as  Secretary  of  State. 
It  was  sent  by  one  of  the  members  from  Hawkins  county, 
Joseph  McMinn,  Esq.,  who  was  instructed  to  remain  long 
enough  at  the  seat  of  the  Federal  Government,  to  ascertain 
whether  the  members  of  Congress  from  Tennessee  would 
be  allowed  to  take  their  seats  in  the  National  Legislature. 
Mr.  White,  the  Territorial  delegate  in  that  body,  was  urged 
by  Mr.  McMinn,  to  apply  for  the  admission  of  the  State  of 
Tennessee  into  the  Union. 

The  Constitution  of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  as  formed  by 
the  Convention  of  1796,  need  not  be  here  given,  as  it  is  to 
be  found  at  large  in  several  political  compilations.  It  is  ad- 
mitted to  be  one  of  the  very  best — Mr.  Jefferson  said,  “ the 
least  imperfect  and  most  republican” — of  the  systems  of  go- 
vernment adopted  by  any  of  the  American  States.  For 
about  forty  years  it  was  considered  so  unobjectionable,  and 
so  satisfactory  to  the  people  of  Tennessee,  that  all  efforts  to 
amend  it  failed  to  receive  their  sanction  till  1835,  when  it 
was  changed,  and  the  present  Constitution  substituted  in  its 
stead. 

FIRST  LEGISLATURE  OF  TENNESSEE. 

Writs  of  election,  bearing  date  the  6th  of  February,  were 
issued  by  the  President  of  the  Convention  to  the  Sheriffs  of 
the  several  counties,  requiring  them  to  hold  the  first  election 
of  members  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Tennessee,  and  designating  the  28th  of  March,  as 
the  day  on  which  the  new  Legislature  of  the  new  State 
should  assemble.  The  election  was  held  accordingly,  and 
the  members  elect  were  furnished  by  the  returning  officers 
of  their  respective  counties  with  the  necessary  credentials. 
Upon  the  day  appointed,  the  Legislature  met  at  Knoxville. 
The  following  members  constituted  the 

Senate. 

James  Ford,  from  the  county  of  Tennessee. 

James  Winchester,  “ Sumner. 

42 


658 


FIRST  LEGISLATURE  OF  TENNESSEE. 


James  White, 

from  the  county  of  Knox. 

George  Doherty, 

66 

Jefferson 

Samuel  Frazier, 

66 

Greene. 

John  Tipton, 

66 

Washington. 

George  Rutledge, 

66 

Sullivan. 

John  Clack, 

66 

Sevier. 

Alexander  Kelly, 

66 

Blount. 

Joel  Lewis, 

66 

Davidson. 

Joseph  McMinn, 

66 

Hawkins. 

Mr.  White  proposed  for  Speaker,  James  Winchester,  Esq., 
who  was  unanimously  chosen  and  conducted  to  the  chair. 

March  29. — Francis  A.  Ramsey  was  appointed  Clerk ; 
Nathaniel  Buckingham,  Assistant  Clerk  ; Thomas  Bounds, 
Door-keeper. 

The  House  of  Representatives. 

James  Houston  and  Joseph  Black,  from  the  county  of 
Blount. 

Robert  Weakley  and  Seth  Lewis,  from  the  county  of  Da- 
vidson. 

Joseph  Conway  and  John  Gass,  from  the  county  of  Greene. 

John  Cocke  and  Thomas  Henderson,  from  the  county  of 
Hawkins. 

Alexander  Outlaw  and  Adam  Peck,  from  the  county  of 
Jefferson. 

John  Menefee  and  John  Crawford, - from  the  county  of  Knox. 

John  Rhea  and  David  Looney,  from  the  county  of  Sullivan. 

Spencer  Clack  and  Samuel  Newell,  from  the  county  of 
Sevier. 

Stephen  Cantrell  and  William  Montgomery,  from  the 
county  of  Sumner. 

Thomas  Johnston  and  William  Ford,  from  the  county  of 
Tennessee. 

John  Blair  and  James  Stuart,  from  the  county  of  Wash- 
ington. 

James  Stuart  was  unanimously  chosen  Speaker  ; Thomas 
H.  Williams,  Clerk  ; John  Sevier,  Jun.,  Assistant  Clerk  ; 
John  Rhea,  Door-keeper. 

The  organization  of  the  two  Houses  being  thus  com- 


JOHN  SEVIER  INAUGURATED  GOVERNOR. 


659 


pleted,  communications  were  exchanged  between  them,  that 
each  was  ready  to  proceed  to  business. 

The  two  Houses  met  in  the  Representative  Chamber,  for 
the  purpose  of  opening  and  publishing  the  returns  of  the 
elections  in  the  several  counties  for  Governor.  From  these, 
“ it  appears  that  citizen  John  Sevier  is  duly  and  constitu- 
tionally elected  Governor  of  this  State,  which  was  accord- 
ingly announced  by  the  Speaker  of  the  Senate,  in  presence  of 
both  Houses  of  the  General  Assembly.” 

The  same  day,  a Joint  Committee,  viz:  Lewis,  Ford  and 
Kelly,  of  the  Senate,  and  Outlaw,  Blair,  Cocke,  Johnston, 
Newell  and  Fort,  of  the  House,  was  raised,  “ to  wait  on  his 
Excellency  John  Sevier,  and  request  his  attendance  in  the 
House  of  Representatives,  to-morrow,  at  12  o’clock,  to  be 
qualified  agreeably  to  the  Constitution  of  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee.” 

Another  Joint  Committee  was  directed  also  to  wait  upon 
Governor  Blount,  to  inform  him  of  the  time  and  place  ap- 
pointed for  the  qualification  of  his  successor  in  office,  and  to 
request  his  attendance  there.  By  another  Committee  an 
oath  of  office  was  prescribed,  to  be  administered  to  the  Go- 
vernor elect.  Some  conflict  of  opinion  existed  between  the 
two  Houses,  respecting  the  qualification  of  the  Governor  by 
the  Judges,  the  Senate  insisting  that  that  duty  devolved  upon 
their  Clerk.  Upon  a reconsideration,  however,  the  Senate 
concurred  in  appointing  a Committee  “ to  wait  upon  the 
Judges,  and  1'equest  their  attendance  to  qualify  the  Governoi\’» 
March  30th. — “ Both  Houses  having  convened  in  the  Re- 
presentative Chamber,  the  several  oaths  prescribed  were 
duly  administered  by  the  Honourable  Joseph  Anderson.” 
After  his  inauguration,  Governor  Sevier  presented  the  fol- 
lowing address : 

'■'‘Gentlemen  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  /—The  high 
and  honourable  appointment  conferred  upon  me  by  the  free  suffrage  of 
my  countrymen,  fills  my  breast  with  gratitude,  which,  I trust,  my  future 
life  will  manifest.  I take  this  early  opportunity  to  express,  through  you, 
my  thanks  in  the  strongest  terms  of  acknowledgment.  I shall  labour 
to  discharge  with  fidelity  the  trust  reposed  in  me  ; and  if  such  my  exer- 
tions should  prove  satisfactory,  the  first  wish  of  my  heart  will  be  grati- 
fied. 


660 


ELECTION  OF  SENATORS  FROM  TENNESSEE. 


“ Gentlemen — accept  of  my  best  wishes  for  your  individual  and  public 
happiness;  and,  relying- upon  your  wisdom  and  patriotism,  I have  no 
doubt  but  the  result  of  your  deliberations  will  give  permanency  and 
success  to  our  new  system  of  government,  so  wisely  calculated  to  secure 
the  liberty,  and  advance  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  our  fellow  citi- 
zens. John  Sevier.” 

The  machinery  of  the  new  State  was  not  yet  fully  in  mo- 
tion. Its  Legislature  was  organized  and  in  session — its  Go- 
vernor had  just  been  inaugurated  according  to  the  forms 
prescribed  by  the  Constitution — but  its  sovereignty  was  not 
represented  in  the  councils  of  the  Union.  The  duty  remained 
unperformed,  of  electing  Senators  for  the  State  of  Tennessee 
to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  The  mode  adopted,  in 
i796,  was  somewhat  different  from  that  which  obtains  in  the 
present  day. 

“ Mr.  Speaker  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Senate  : — This  House  propose 
to  proceed  to  the  election  of  the  two  Senators  to  represent  this  State  in 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  and  that  the  Senate  and  House  of 
Representatives  do  convene  in  the  House  of  Representatives  for  that 
purpose  to-morrow,  at  10  o’clock,  and  do  propose  Mr.  William  Blount, 
Mr.  William  Cocke  and  Mr.  Joseph  Anderson,  as  candidates  for  the  Se- 
nate.” 

The  Senate  replied: 

“ Mr.  Speaker  and  Gentlemen  : — We  concur  with  your  message  as 
to  the  time  and  place  of  the  election  by  you  proposed,  and  propose 
Dr.  James  White'*  to  be  added  to  the  nomination,  as  a candidate  for 
the  Senate. 

“ The  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  having  convened  in  the 
Representative  Chamber,  William  Blount  and  William  Cocke  were 
duly  and  constitutionally  elected.” 

A Joint  Committee  was  then  appointed  “to  prepare  an 
address  to  Messrs.  William  Blount  and  William  Cocke,  in- 
forming them  of  their  being  elected  to  represent  this  State 
in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States.”  Mr.  White,  Chair- 
man of  that  Committee,  reported  the  following  address  : 

Citizen  William  Blount,  late  Governor  of  the  Territory  of  the  United 

States  of  America,  south  of  the  River  Ohio : 

Sir: — Impressed  with  the  grateful  remembrance  of  your  conduct  du- 
ring the  time  you  was  Governor  of  the  Territory  south  of  the  River 
Ohio,  now  the  State  of  Tennessee,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  said 

* Judge  Anderson  and  Dr.  White  were  subsequently  withdrawn  by  messages 
duly  interchanged  between  the  two  Houses. 


ADDRESS  OF  THE  LEGISLATURE  TO  THE  SENATORS. 


661 


State,  in  the  name  of  the  people  thereof,  over  whom  you  formerly  pre- 
sided, embrace  the  earliest  moment  to  testify  to  you  their  entire  appro- 
bation of  your  conduct  and  attention  to  promote  their  happiness  during 
your  continuance  in  that  office,  the  exercise  of  which  was  rendered  more 
difficult  and  arduous,  by  the  frequent  inroads  of  the  neighbouring  na- 
tions of  Indians.  We  recollect,  with  pleasure,  that  under  your  admin- 
istration, we,  as  a people,  have  experienced  growing  energy  and  in- 
creasing power.  That  your  exertions,  in  subordination  to  the  Federal 
Government,  have  been  the  cause  of  the  present  peace,  which  for  some 
time  past,  has  existed  between  us  and  the  adjoining  Indian  tribes,  and 
which,  we  hope,  will  long  exist,  on  the  principles  you  have  established. 

The  Territorial  Government  now  being  ended,  we  will  only  say,  in 
respect  thereof,  that  if  the  exercise,  alone,  of  a Government,  constituted 
on  the  principles  it  was,  could  render  a people  happy  under  it,  we  should 
have  been  so.  We  rejoice  that  while  the  Territorial  Government  has 
closed  with  honour  to  you,  it  has  left  us  in  a state  of  prosperity  and 
peace. 

You  are  now,  sir,  called  by  the  unanimous  voice  of  a free  people,  to 
represent  them  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  of  America — the 
highest  proof  in  their  power  to  offer,  of  their  confidence  in  your  integ- 
rity and  ability  to  serve  them. 

James  White,  Chairman. 

To  the  other  Senator  elect,  the  committee  presented  the 
following  address  : 

Citizen  William  Cocke  : — Your  fellow-citizens  have  called  you  to 
represent  them  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  of  America.  Im- 
pressed with  recollections  of  your  past  conduct,  from  an  early  period  of 
the  settlement  of  our  common  country,  they  have  given  you  this  testi- 
mony of  the  confidence  they  repose  in  your  integrity  and  abilities  to 
serve  them. 

James  White,  Chairman. 

To  these  addresses,  citizen  Blount  and  citizen  Cocke  re- 
plied. Mr.  Blount  says  : 

Mr.  Speaker  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Senate , and  Mr.  Speaker  and  Gen- 
tlemen of  the  House  of  Representatives : 

The  entire  approbation  of  the  people,  of  my  conduct  in  office,  by  you 
testified,  is  the  highest  reward  I could  receive.  Accept,  gentlemen,  my 
thanks  for  the  prompt  and  warm  manner  in  which  you  have  been  pleased 
to  convey  it  to  me. 

With  you  I hope  that  the  peace  which  exists  between  the  citizens  of  the 
United  States  and  the  Indian  tribes  will  long  continue ; as  in  peace  con- 
sists the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  both  parties  ; and  thus  impressed, 
it  shall  be  my  duty,  in  whatever  situation  I may  be  placed,  to  use  my 
efforts  to  its  preservation. 

I feel,  as  I ought,  the  unanimous  call  of  my  fellow-citizens,  to  repre- 
sent them  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  and  shall  devote  myself 


602 


ELECTION  OF  JUDGES  AND  OTHER  OFFICERS. 


to  the  promotion  of  their  interests,  as  far  as  is  consistent  with  that  of  the 
whole  body  politic,  of  which  they  are  a part. 

Accept,  gentlemen,  my  best  wishes  for  your  individual  happiness, 

Wm.  Blount. 

Mr.  Cocke’s  reply : 

Gentlemen : — I accept  of  the  appointment  conferred  upon  me  by  the 
General  Assembly.  It  will  be  my  first,  my  greatest  wish,  to  promote 
the  interests  of  our  common  country.  The  honour  of  serving  a free  and 
enlightened  people,  is  truly  flattering,  and  my  highest  reward  will  con- 
sist in  my  conduct  continuing  to  meet  their  approbation. 

Accept,  gentlemen,  my  respects. 

William  Cocke. 

James  Winchester,  S.  S., 

James  Stuart,  S.  II.  R. 

William  Maclin  was  elected  Secretary  of  State  ; John 
McNairy,  Willie  Blount*  and  Archibald  Roane  were  elected 
Judges  of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  and  Equity. 

Landon  Carter  was  elected  Treasurer  of  the  Districts  of 
Washington  and  Hamilton,  and  William  Black,  Treasurer 
of  the  District  of  Mero. 

The  condition  of  the  citizens  of  Tennessee  inhabiting  the 
section  of  the  State  south  of  French  Broad  and  Holston,  was 
peculiar.  It  had  been  settled  partly  under  treaties  with  the 
Indians,  held  under  the  authority  of  the  State  of  Franklin. 
The  inhabitants  were  yet  without  perfect  titles  to  their  lands, 
and  holding  them  only  by  the  right  of  occupancy,  were  ap- 
prehensive of  future  disturbance.  Governor  Sevier  early 
brought  the  subject  before  the  Legislature  by  the  following 
message : 

Mr.  Speaker  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Legislature  : 

Permit  me  to  remark  to  your  honourable  body,  that,  as  our  Senators 
are  about  to  proceed  to  the  Federal  Legislature,  it  may  not  he  inexpe- 
dient to  remind  them  of  the  necessity  of  taking  under  consideration, 
the  embarrassed  situation,  claimants  of  land  are  under,  to  those  south  of 
the  line  concluded  on  in  the  treaty  of  Holston,  and  now  within  the  In- 
dian boundary. 

In  my  humble  opinion,  it  is  a matter  of  great  public  importance,  and 
particularly  interesting  to  the  State  and  to  individuals,  to  either  have  the 

*Jolm  McNairy  declined  this  appointment,  and  Howell  Tatum,  Esq.,  of  David- 
son, was  commissioned  in  his  place,  May  12th,  1797.  Willie  Blount  also  declined’ 
and  his  place  was  filled  by  W.  C.  C.  Claiborne,  of  Sullivan  county,  commissioned 
September  28th,  1796.  April  9th,  1796. — John  C.  Hamilton,  Esq.,  was  appoint- 
ed Attorney  for  the  State,  vice  Howell  Tatum,  appointed  Judge. 


INSTRUCTION  TO  SENATORS. 


663 


Indian  claims  extinguished,  or  the  adventurers  compensated  for  their 
lands. 

I have  no  doubt  but  you  will  take  the  premises  under  due  delibera- 
tion, and  give  your  Senators  such  instructions  as  you,  in  your  wisdom, 
may  deem  necessary  and  advisable. 

John  Sevier. 

The  subject  was  at  once  referred  to  a Select  Committee, 
who  reported  the  following  resolution — 

Resolved,  That  it  be  an  instruction  to  the  Senators  and  Representa- 
tives of  this  State  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  to  state  to  that 
body,  that  it  is  essential  to  the  preservation  of  peace,  between  the  In- 
dian Tribes  and  the  United  States,  that  measures  be  by  them  taken  to 
relieve  and  quiet  the  grantees  of  lands  under  the  State  of  North-Caro- 
lina,  the  possession  of  which  is  guaranteed  to  the  Indians  by  treaty, 
which  claim  we  wish  extinguished,  and  the  claimants  put  in  peaceable 
possession  of  their  lands. 

Thomas  Johnson,  Ch. 

The  bill  to  preclude  persons  of  a certain  description,  from  being  admit- 
ted as  witnesses,  &c.,  was  then  taken  up,  to  which  Mr.  Gass  proposed 
the  following  amendment : Be  it  enacted,  by  the  General  Assembly  of 

the  State  of  Tennessee — That  from  and  after  the  passing  of  this  Act,  if 
any  person  in  this  State  shall  publicly  deny  the  being  of  a God,  and  a 
future  state  of  rewards  and  punishments,  or  shall  publicly  deny  the 
divine  authority  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  on  being  convicted 
thereof,  by  the  testimony  of  two  witnesses,  shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum 
of  dollars  for  every  such  offence,  etc. 

The  foregoing  amendment  being  received,  the  question  was  taken  on 
the  passage  of  the  amended  bill,  which  was  carried.  Whereupon  the 
yeas  and  nays  were  called  for — 

Yeas. — Blair,  Black,  Conway,  Clack,  Crawford,  Gass,  Houston, 
Johnson,  Looney,  Montgomery,  Newell,  Outlaw,  Peck  and  Weakley. 

Nays. — Cantrell,  Cocke,  Fort,  Henderson,  Lewis,  Menefee  and  Rhea. 

Mr.  Lewis  entered  the  following  protest — 

To  this  question  we  enter  our  dissent,  as  we  conceived  the  law  to  be 
an  inferior  species  of  persecution,  which  is  always  a violation  of  the  law  of 
nature ; and  also  that  it  is  a violation  of  our  constitution. 

Seth  Lewis, 

John  Cocke, 

William  Fort, 

John  Rhea, 

Stephen  Cantrell, 

John  Menefee, 

Thomas  Henderson. 

The  bill,  with  the  amendment,  was,  upon  its  first  reading  in  the  Senate, 
rejected. 

Electors  of  President  and  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States,  were  elected  by  joint  ballot  of  the  two  Houses,  and 


664 


ROBERTSON  AND  MONTGOMERY  LAID  OFF 


not  by  the  people,  as  now  provided  for  in  Tennessee  and 
most  of  the  other  States.  Joseph  Greer,  Daniel  Smith,  Hugh 
Neilson  and  Joseph  Anderson,  were  elected. 

Upon  the  same  day,  Hopkins  Lacy  was  elected  Attorney- 
General  for  Washington  District  ; John  Lowry  for  Hamil- 
ton, and  Howell  Tatum,  for  Mero  District. 

The  day  preceding  the  adjournment  of  the  Legislature,  Go- 
vernor Sevier,  by  message,  brought  to  the  attention  of  the 
Legislature,  the  condition  of  the  frontier,  and  recommended 
friendship  with  the  Indians,  as  the  principal  mode  of  security 
and  defence.  He  notices  the  large  emigration  to  the  State, 
and  that  the  soldiers  of  the  late  campaigns  were  still  un- 
paid for  their  services  ; he  proposes,  with  the  leave  of  the  Leg- 
islature, to  attend  in  person  at  the  next  session  of  Congress, 
to  urge  upon  that  body  the  payment  to  the  troops  for  their 
hazardous  and  toilsome  services.” 

To  which  a Joint  Committee,  appointed  for  that  purpose, 
replied — That  while  they  were  sensible  of  the  necessity  of 
preserving  the  existing  peace,  and  were  most  solicitous  that 
Congress  should  not  only  provide  for  the  defence  of  the  fron- 
tier, but  also  make  full  compensation  for  the  payment  of  the 
troops  heretofore  employed  in  that  service,  yet  they  did  not 
advise  the  visit  of  the  Governor  to  Congress,  and  suggested 
that  the  duty  he  proposed  to  assume  in  that  behalf,  should  be 
devolved  on  the  members  of  Congress  from  Tennessee. 

At  this  session,  Tennessee  county  was  divided,  and  the 
counties  of  Robertson  and  Montgomery  established  out  of 
its  territory.  The  former  was  so  named  in  honour  of  Gen- 
eral James  Robertson,  the  patriarch  of  Watauga  and  the 
founder  of  the  Cumberland  settlements.  He  was  a native 
of  North-Carolina,  and  emigrated  to  Watauga  in  1769. 
These  Annals  have  abounded  with  incidents  ofhis  life,  per- 
formed in  the  civil,  political  and  military  service  ofhis  coun- 
try, in  every  period  of  difficulty,  embarrassment  and  danger. 
His  efforts,  in  a more  private  capacity,  to  benefit  his  fellow- 
citizens  were  disinterested,  great  and  unremitted.  “ He 
treated  the  Indians,  when  known  enemies,  as  the  enemies  of 
his  country  ; when  known  friends  of  peace,  as  its  friends. 
His  fellow  men  he  treated  as  such,  according  to  known 


OUT  OF  TENNESSEE  COUNTY. 


665 


merit — for  the  errors  of  the  misguided,  he  exercised  charity 
to  a proper  extent — those  hardened  in  vice,  he  let  the  law 
punish.  He  practised  virtue,  and  encouraged  it  mothers; 
vice  he  discountenanced,  by  precept  and  by  example.  His 
house,  and  all  he  had,  were  opened  freely  to  the  distressed  of 
every  condition.  He  loved  his  friends,  and  he  held  his 
enemies  at  defiance.  To  his  wife  he  was  indebted  for  a 
knowledge  of  the  alphabet,  and  for  instruction  how  to  read 
and  write.  To  his  Creator  he  was  indebted  for  rich  mental 
endowments — to  himself,  for  mental  improvement.  To  his 
God  was  he  indebted  for  that  firmness  and  indomitable 
courage,  which  the  circumstances  that  surrounded  him,  called 
so  constantly  into  exercise,”*  Besides  the  civil  and  politi- 
cal positions  which  General  Robertson  occupied,  as  already 
mentioned,  in  the  Watauga  Association,  in  the  Legislature 
and  Convention  of  Nort.h-Carolina,  the  Territory,  and  the 
State  of  Tennessee,  he  was  Deputy  Superintendent  on  the  part 
f the  United  States,  for  the  Chickasaw  and  Choctaw  Tribes  ; 
and  was  several  times  appointed  to  treat  with  the  southern 
Indians,  for  a relinquishment  of  their  claims  to  land  in  the 
South-west.  Previous  to  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  Gen. 
Robertson  was  the  United  States  Agent  to  the  Chickasaw 
nation.  A detail  of  his  acts  in  behalf  of  his  country,  and  an 
enumeration  of  his  sufferings,  by  personal  exposure,  in  the 
wilderness,  in  the  field  of  battle,  in  the  besieged  fort  and  the 
assaulted  station,  in  losses  of  relatives  and  of  private  pro 
perty,  would  fill  a volume.  He  was  faithful  to  his  God,  his 
country  and  his  fellow  men.  The  memory  of  no  one  is  held 
in  greater  esteem  and  veneration,  than  that  of  James  Robert- 
son. 

William  Johnston,  Sen.,  James  Norflet,  John  Young,  John 
Donelson  and  Samuel  Crocket,  were  Commisioners  to  lay 
off  the  county  seat  for  Robertson  County.  The  first  court 
was  held  at  the  house  of  Jacob  McCarty.  The  county  was 
attached  to  Mcro  District.  On  the  20th  of  April,  Springfield 
was  established  as  the  seat  of  justice  for  Robertson  county. 

Montgomery  embraced  the  remainder  of  Tennessee  county. 


* Blount’s  Papers. 


666 


CARTER  COUNTY  LAID  OFF. 


and  was  called  after  Col.  John  Montgomery,  a native  of 
Virginia.  He  emigrated  early  to  the  West,  and  became  a 
member  of  the  North-Carolina  Legislature,  and  also  of  the 
Convention  of  that  State,  which  ratified  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States.  Besides  the  civil  appointments  which 
he  filled,  he  was  colonel  of  the  militia  of  his  county,  and  led 
more  than  two  hundred  of  his  fellow  soldiers  in  the  Nicka- 
jack  campaign.  He  was  a patriot  and  a hero,  and  lost  his 
life  in  giving  protection  to  the  frontier.  Clarkesville,  the 
county  seat,  was  so  called  in  honour  of  Gen.  George  Rogers 
Clarke.  George  Neville,  Sen.,  Francis  Prince,  Heyden  Wells, 
Robert  Edmonson  and  Robert  Dunning,  were  appointed  by 
the  Legislature,  to  erect  public  buildings  in  Clarkesville. 

April  9. — The  Legislature  divided,  again,  the  mother 
county,  Washington,  and  established  Carter  county.  Lan- 
don  Carter,  Reuben  Thornton,  Andrew  Greer,  Sen.,  Zacha- 
riah  Campbell  and  David  McNabb,  were  Commissioners  to  se- 
lect the  site  for  the  court-house,  and  to  erect  county  buildings, 
The  first  court  was  held  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Tipton.  Carter 
county  was  attached  to  Washington  District.  Carter  county 
was  thus  named,  in  honour  of  General  Landon  Carter  ; he 
was  a native  of  Virginia,  emigrated  at  an  parly  day,  with 
his  father,  Col.  John  Carter,  to  the  wilds  of  Watauga.  He 
was  educated  at  Liberty  Hall,  Mecklenburg  county,  North- 
Carolina,  and  became  qualified  for  the  wide  range  of  duties 
afterwards  assigned  him  by  his  countrymen.  He  was  brave, 
prompt  and  useful,  in  repelling  Indian  invasion  and  attack. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Franklin  Convention  and  Leg- 
islature, its  Secretary  of  State,  and  Treasurer  of  Washington 
District  under  the  Territorial  Government  Fie  was  a member 
of  the  Convention  of  1796,  and  afterwards  Treasurer  of 
Washington  District  for  the  State  of  Tennessee. 

The  seat  of  justice  for  Carter  county,  was  named  Eliza- 
bethton,  in  honour  of  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  General  Car- 
ter. 

April  23. — Additional  Commissioners,  for  the  regulation 
and  management  of  the  town  of  Jonesboro’,  were  appointed, 
viz  : David  Deaderick,  Sen.,  John  Sevier,  Jun.,  Christopher 
Taylor,  John  Tipton,  Adam  Reader,  John  Blair,  John  Adams, 


GRAINGER  COUNTY  LAID  OFF. 


667 


William  Chester,  Allen  Gillespie,  Thomas  Embree  and  Ro- 
bert Allison. 

Grainger  county  was  laid  off  April  22,  1796.  David  Hay- 
ley,  Major  Lea,  Benjamin  McCarty,  Bartley  Marshall  and 
James  Blair,  Jun.,  were  appointed  Commissioners,  to  lay  off 
a town  and  erect  county  buildings.  First  court  was  held  at 
the  house  of  Benjamin  McCarty.  John  Cocke  and  William 
Payne  were  appointed  to  run  the  boundary  line.  October 
28,  1797,  the  county  seat  was  established,  and  called  Rut- 
ledge, in  honour  of  George  Rutledge,  Esq.,  of  Sullivan  county. 

Grainger  county,  was  so  called,  for  Mary  Grainger,  the 
wife  of  Governor  William  Blount.  She  was  a native  of 
North-Carolina,  and  arrived  on  Watauga  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  Territorial  Government.  After  Knoxville  be- 
came the  residence  of  the  Governor,  many  of  the  friendly 
chiefs  paid  frequent  visits  to  the  new  capital ; and  Mrs. 
Blount  became  much  interested  in  them,  and  used  her  ad- 
dress and  persuasion,  to  induce  them  to  restrain  their  young 
warriors  from  further  aggression  upon  the  frontier  people. 
With  these  she  was  a deserved  favourite.  Fort  Grainger, 
at  the  mouth  of  Tennessee,  was  also  called  for  Mrs.  Blount. 
She  was  an  accomplished  lady,  and  she  did  much  to  soften 
and  refine  the  manners  of  the  first  inhabitants  of  Knoxville. 
Under  her  administration,  a grace  and  a charm  was  given  to 
the  society  of  the  place — the  more  remarkable  and  attrac- 
tive from  the  external  circumstances  under  which  they  were, 
from  the  necessity  of  the  case,  exhibited  in  the  new  town 
upon  a distant  frontier. 

George  Rutledge  was  elected  Brigadier-General,  in  place 
of  General  Sevier,  and  James  Winchester,  Brigadier-Gene- 
ral, in  place  of  General  Robertson  ; and  George  Conway, 
Major-General.  He  was  succeeded  by  Andrew  Jackson. 

The  Committee  of  Finance  reported  the  following  state- 
ment of  the  public  funds  : 


Amount  received  by  the  Treasurer  of  Washington  ) 


$6,380  63 
5,838  03 


and  Hamilton  Districts,  - 
Amount  disbursed, 


Leaving  balance  in  the  Treasury  of 


542  60 


6G8 


THE  FINANCES  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Amount  brought  forward, 

Amount  received  by  the  Treasurer  of 


$4,000  37 


542  60 


Mero  District, 
Disbursements, 


2,297  33 


Leaving  in  the  Treasury  of  Mero  District, 
Unexpended  and  on  hand, 


$3,145  64 


2,603  04 


Subjoined  will  be  found  the  captions  of  some  of  the  Acts, 
passed  at  this  first  session  of  the  Tennessee  Legislature. 

I.  An  Act,  ascertaining  the  number  of  Judges  of  the  Superior  Courts 
of  Law  and  Equity,  fixing  their  salaries,  &c. 

4.  Amending  an  Act  for  the  promotion  of  Learning  in  Davidson 
County. 

6.  Establishing  a Treasury  Department. 

10.  Directing  the  mode  of  electing  members  to  Congress.  This  Act 
divides  the  State  into  two  divisions,  to  be  called  the  Holston  and  the 
Cumberland  divisions  ; each  of  which  is  entitled  to  one  Representative 
to  Congress. 

II.  Providing  for  the  appointment,  by  the  Legislature,  of  Electors  of 
President  and  Vice-President  of  the  Pnited  States. 

17.  Providing  for  the  payment  of  the  Governor,  (gives  him,  annually, 
seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,)  and  directing  the  place  of  his  residence. 

18.  Making  compensation  of  one  dollar  and  seventy-five  cents,  for  each 
day,  to  every  member  of  the  Legislature,  and  a like  sum  for  every 
twenty-five  miles  travel,  in  going  and  returning ; and  to  the  clerks  and 
other  officers,  a corresponding  amount. 

29.  Amendatory  of  an  Act  for  the  establishment  of  Nashville.  The 
ninth  section  of  this  act  authorizes  the  Trustees  of  said  town  to  execute 
a deed  to  a religious  society,  for  a site  for  a meeting-house,  “ with  the 
express  limitations  following,  viz : said  meeting-house  shall  be  and  re- 
main to  the  use  of  the  said  society,  so  far  only  as  to  give  a right  to  their 
ministers  to  preach  therein  ; but  shall  not  extend  to  authorize  them  to 
debar  or  deny  to  any  other  denomination  of  Christians  the  liberty  of 
preaching  therein,  unless  when  immediately  occupied  by  the  said 
society.” 

Governor  Sevier,  after  the  establishment  of  the  State 
Government,  proceeded  to  issue  commissions  to  all  the  civil 
and  military  officers  in  all  the  counties  of  the  State.  The 
names  of  the  magistrates,  in  Washington  county,  at  the 
first  court  after  the  State  Constitution  was  formed,  are  James 
Stuart,  John  Tipton,  John  Weir,  John  Adams,  John  Strain, 
Henry  Nelson,  Joseph  Young,  Joseph  Crouch,  William 
Nelson,  Robert  Blair,  Jesse  Payne,  Isaac  Depreve,  Charles 


ACTION  OP  CONGRESS  RELATIVE  TO  TENNESSEE. 


669 


McCray,  Samuel  Wood,  Jacob  Brown,  John  Alexander, 
Joseph  Brittain,  John  Norwood  and  John  Hammer. 

The  first  court  held  for  Sevier  county,  under  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  was  begun  and  held  at  the 
Court  House  in  Sevierville,  July  4. 

17  96. — The  Justices  were  Samuel  Newell,  Joshua  Gist,  Joseph  Wil- 
son, Joseph  Vance,  Robert  Pollock,  Peter  Bryant,  Mordecai  Lewis,  John 
Clack,  Robert  Calvert,  Andrew  Cowan,  Adam  Wilson,  James  Riggin, 
Alexander  Montgomery,  Jesse  Griffin  and  Isam  Green.  Samuel  Wear 
was  appointed  Clerk  ; Thomas  Buckingham  Sheriff ; James  McMahon, 
Register;  James  D.  Puckett,  Coroner  ; Alexander  Montgomery,  Ranger. 

Tavern  Rates. — Rum  per  half  pint,  25  cents  ; Wine  do. ; French 
Brandy  and  Gin,  do.  ; Peach  Brandy,  12-J;  Whiskey,  8-1- ; Beer  per 
quart,  8-g-  ; Cider,  12-£;  Metheglin,  12-|. 

Diets. — Breakfast,  16-| ; dinner,  21  ; supper,  16|- ; lodging,  5 ; horse 
per  night,  fodder  or  hay,  12^-;  oats  or  corn,  per  gallon,  8-J  ; pasturage, 
twenty-four  hours,  8^-. 

May,  1796. — Governor  Sevier  commissioned  justices  in  Jefferson 
county,  viz : George  Doherty,  James  Roddye,  Josiah  Jackson,  Thos. 
Snoddy,  Garret  Fitzgerald^  Parmenas  Taylor,  John  Blackburn,  A.  Hen- 
derson, Abednego  Inman,  John  McNabb,  Abraham  McCay,  Adam  Peck, 
Wm.  Con,  James  Wilson,  Wm.  Lillard,  David  Stuart,  Ebenezer  Lith, 
Joseph  McCollah,  Samuel  Jacks,  Adam  Meek,  George  Evans,  James 
Lea,  Alexander  Outlaw,  John  Gore.  Jos.  Hamilton,  Clerk  ; Robert 
McFarland,  Sheriff ; Samuel  Lyle,  Register. 

Second  Monday,  May,  1796. — Court  of  Greene  county  met.  Daniel 
Kennedy  was  elected  Clerk;  George  Conway,  Sheriff;  and  James 
Dun  woody,  Register. 

Action  of  the  Federal  Government  on  the  admission  of  the 
State  of  Tennessee,  as  one  of  the  United  States. 

Soon  after  the  rise  of  the  Convention  of  1796,  its  Presi- 
dent, Governor  Blount,  communicated  a copy  of  the  Consti- 
tution, to  the  Secretary  of  State,  Mr.  Pickering.  His  letter 
is  dated 

Knoxville,  February  9th,  1796. 

Sir: — As  Governor,  it  is  my  duty,  and  as  President  of  the  Conven- 
tion, I am  instructed,  by  a resolution  of  that  body,  to  forward  to  you,  ex- 
press, a copy  of  the  constitution  formed  for  the  permanent  government 
of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  which  you  will  herewith  receive  by  the  hands 
of  Major  Joseph  McMinn,  of  Hawkins  county,  who  was  himself  a mem- 
ber of  the  Convention. 

The  sixth  section  of  the  first  article  will  inform  you  that  the  first  Gen- 
eral Assembly  to  be  held  under  this  constitution  is  to  commerce  on  the 
last  Monday  in  March  next.  The  object  of  the  Convention,  in  deter- 
mining on  this  early  day,  is  a representation  in  the  Congress  of  the  Uni- 


670 


president  Washington’s  message, 


ted  States  before  the  termination  of  the  present  session.  And  the  third 
section  of  the  schedule  will  inform  you  how  long  it  is  contemplated,  the 
temporary  form  of  Government  shall  continue. 

I have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

Your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

William  Blount. 

Timothy  Pickering,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  State , Philadelphia. 

On  the  eighth  of  April,  the  President  communicated  this 
letter,  with  its  enclosures,  to  Congress — accompanying  them 
with  the  following  message  : 

United  States,  April  8th,  1796. 
Gentlemen  of  the  Senate  and  of  the  House  of  Representatives: 

By  an  Act  of  Congress  passed  on  the  26th  of  May,  1790,  it  was  de- 
clared that  the  inhabitants  of  the  Territory  of  the  United  States  south 
of  the  River  Ohio,  should  enjoy  all  the  privileges,  benefits  and  advantages 
set  forth  in  the  ordinance  of  Congress  for  the  government  of  the  Terri- 
tory of  the  United  States  northwest  of  the  River  Ohio,  and  that  the  Go- 
vernment of  the  said  Territory  south  of  the  Ohio,  should  be  similar  to 
that  which  was  then  exercised  in  the  Territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio, 
except  so  far  as  was  otherwise  provided  in  the  conditions  expressed  in  an 
Act  of  Congress,  passed  the  2d  of  April,  1790,  entitled  “ An  Act  to  accept 
a cession  of  the  claim  of  the  State  of  North-Carolina  to  a certain  dis- 
trict of  Western  Territory.” 

Among  the  privileges,  benefits  and  advantages  thus  secured  to  the  in- 
habitants of  the  Territory  south  of  the  River  Ohio,  appear  to  be  the  right 
of  forming  a permanent  Constitution  and  State  Government,  and  of  ad- 
mission, as  a State,  by  its  ^delegates,  in  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States,  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  original  States,  in  all  respects  what- 
ever, when  it  should  have  therein  sixty  thousand  free  inhabitants  : provi- 
ded, the  Constitution  and  Government  so  to  be  formed,  should  be  repub- 
lican, and  in  conformity  to  the  principles  contained  in  the  articles  of  the 
said  ordinance. 

As  proofs  of  the  several  requisites  to  entitle  the  Territory  south  of  the 
River  Ohio,  to  be  admitted,  as  a State,  into  the  Union,  Governor  Blount 
has  transmitted  a return  of  the  enumeration  of  its  inhabitants,  and  a 
printed  copy  of  the  Constitution  and  form  of  Government,  on  which  they 
have  agreed,  which,  with  his  letters  accompanying  the  same,  are  here- 
with laid  before  Congress. 

Geo.  Washington. 

The  subject  was  referred  to  appropriate  Committees.  On 
the  ] 2th  of  April,  the  House  Committee,  through  its  Chair- 
man, Mr.  Dearborn,  reported  the  following  : 

Resolved , That  by  the  authenticated  documents  accompanying  the 
message  from  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  this  House,  on  the 
8th  da}r  of  the  present  month,  and  by  the  ordinance  of  Congress,  bear- 
ing date  the  13th  of  July,  1787,  and  by  a law  of  the  United  States, 
passed  on  the  26th  of  May,  1790,  it  appears  that  the  citizens  of  that 


AND  REPORTS  OF  CONGRESSIONAL  COMMITTEES. 


671 


part  of  the  United  States,  which  has  been  called  the  Territory  of  the 
United  States,  south  of  the  River  Ohio,  and  which  is  now  formed  into  a 
State  under  a republican  form  of  Government,  by  the  name  of  Tennes- 
see, are  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  privileges  to  which  the  citizens  of 
the  other  States  in  the  Union  are  entitled  under  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  ; and  that  the  State  of  Tennessee  is  hereby  declared  to  be 
one  of  the  sixteen  United  States  of  America. 

Mr.  King,  from  the  Senate  Committee,  to  whom  the  same 
subject  had  been  referred,  made  a long  report  against  the 
admission  of  the  State  of  Tennessee  into  the  Union,  but  re- 
commending “ that  leave  be  given  to  bring  in  a bill  laying 
out  the  whole  of  said  Territory,  ceded  by  North-Carolina,  into 
one  State.”  The  report  results  in  this  conclusion — “That 
Congress  must  have,  previously,  enacted  that  the  whole  of 
the  Territory  ceded  by  North-Carolina,  and  which  is  only  a 
part  of  the  Territory  of  the  United  States,  south  of  the  Ohio, 
should  be  laid  out  into  one  State,  before  the  inhabitants 
thereof,  (admitting  them  to  amount  to  sixty  thousand  free 
persons.)  could  claim  to  be  admitted  as  a new  State  into  the 
Union.”  The  Senate  report  objects  that  the  enumeration  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  Territory  had  not  been  made  by  the 
authority  of  Congress,  and  that  the  guards  against  error  had 
been  omitted  by  the  Territorial  law  ; and  that,  “instead  of 
confining  the  enumeration  to  the  free  inhabitants  of  the  Ter- 
ritory, that  law  authorizes  and  requires  the  enumeration  of 
all  the  people  within  the  said  Territory,  etc.”* 

Notwithstanding  this  unfavourable  report  of  the  Senate 
Committee,  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  passed  an  Act 
in  June,  admitting  Tennessee  into  the  Union. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Senators  elect  from  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee, had  repaired  to  the  seat  of  the  General  Government; 
but  having  been  elected  before  Tennessee  was  admitted  into 
the  Union,  they  did  not  take  their  seats  in  the  Senate.  The 
Act  X,  laying  off  two  Congressional  Districts  in  the  State, 
when  but  one  member  of  Congress  was  allowed  for  Tennes- 
see ; and  Act  XI,  providing  for  the  election  of  four  Electors 
of  President  and  Vice-President,  when  the  State  was  enti- 
tled to  but  three  Electors,  created  unforeseen  difficulties,  which 


State  Papers,  Yol.  XX,  page  150. 


672 


GOVERNOR  SEVIER  CONVENES  THE  LEGISLATURE. 


could  be  obviated  only  by  repealing  these  acts,  electing  the 
Senators  anew,  and  remodeling  the  legislation  that  had  ta- 
ken place,  so  far  as  the  Federal  relations  of  Tennessee  were 
concerned. 

Such  was  the  political  condition  of  the  State  of  Tennessee 
in  the  summer  of  1798.  Governor  Sevier  acted  promptly, 
and  adopted  at  once  the  cnly  measure  that  could  extricate 
the  new  State  from  the  embarrassments  by  which  her  Fede- 
ral relations  had  become  unavoidably  involved. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  he  issued  from  the  seat  of  Government, 
at  Knoxville,  his  proclamation  : 

“ Whereas , I have  lately  received  authentic  information,  that  an  Act 
of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  passed  at  their  last  session,  in- 
volved several  Acts  of  this  State  in  difficulty,  and  renders  the  same  in- 
complete ; to  answer  the  purposes  and  salutary  uses  and  effects  intended 
to  be  obtained  therefrom,  by  the  Honourable  the  Legislature  of  this 
State  : 

“ I have  thought  it  necessary  and  highly  expedient,  to  summon  the 
members  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  convene  on  the  last  Saturday  in 
the  present  month  : And  do  strictly  request  and  enjoin  them,  and  each 
of  them,  to  be  punctual  and  particular  in  giving  their  attendance  ac- 
cordingly, in  order  to  take  under  their  due  deliberation  such  matters  as 
may  be  laid  before  them. 

“ Given  under  my  hand  and  seal,  at  Knoxville,  this  fourth  day  of 
July,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-six,  and  in  the  twenty-first 
year  of  American  Independence. 

Signed,  John  Sevier.” 

Accordingly,  on  the  day  appointed,  the  General  Assembly 
met  and  the  Governor  sent  in  the  following  Message  : 

“ Gentlemen  of  the  Senate  and  of  the  House  of  Representatives  : — • 
The  short  time  in  which  I conceived  it  was  necessary  to  convene  the 
Legislature,  compelled  me  to  call  you  together  on  so  short  a notice.  In 
the  first  instance,  it  was  necessary  to  give  all  the  time  the  emergency  of 
the  occasion  would  admit  of;  and,  in  the  second,  from  a circumstance 
that  the  election  to  be  held  for  Representatives  was  approaching  so  near 
at  hand,  made  it  necessary,  as  I conceived,  for  the  Assembly  to  have  it  in 
their  power,  by  a timely  meeting,  (should  they  in  their  wisdom  deem  it 
proper)  to  make  an  alteration  in  the  Act,  directing  the  mode  of  electing 
Representatives  to  represent  this  State  in  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States,  before  the  day  of  election  should  arrive,  as  directed  in  the  afore- 
said Act,  otherwise  it  might  be  attended  with  disputes  and  contentions 
of  a disagreeable  nature ; for,  by  a late  Act  of  Congress,  the  intended 
number  of  our  Representatives  is  diminished,  of  course  it  proportionably 
lessens  our  number  of  Electors  for  President  and  Vice-President  of  the 
United  States. 


REPLY  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 


673 


“ Thus  such  a derangement  will  necessarily  require  an  alteration  in 
our  Acts  passed  for  such  purposes. 

“Our  Senators  not  being  recognized  in  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  is  another  matter  for  your  consideration  and  attention ; and  for 
your  more  ample  information,  the  several  Acts  and  communications  ac- 
companying this  address,  will  elucidate  unto  you  the  propriety  of  my 
calling  the  Assembly  together  at  this  time. 

“ I hope  I may  be  permitted  to  observe,  that  it  is  of  importance,  and 
conducive  to  public  happiness,  to  arrange  your  Acts  eomformably  with 
those  of  Congress,  so  far  as  they  shall  respect  this  State. 

“ The  foregoing  are  the  reasons  why  I have  thought  proper  to  con- 
vene the  Assembly,  in  session  on  the  present  day  ; and  I make  no  doubt 
you  will,  through  your  paternal  care,  wisdom  and  patriotic  deliberations, 
adopt  such  measures  as  will  tend  to  promote  the  public  interest  and 
general  utility  of  the  State. 

“ I have  the  pleasure  of  announcing  to  you,  gentlemen,  the  admission 
of  the  State  of  Tennessee  into  the  Federal  Union,  a circumstance  preg- 
nant with  every  prospect  of  peace,  happiness  and  opulence  to  our  in- 
fant State. 

“ The  period  has  at  length  arrived,  when  the  people  of  the  South- 
Western  Territory  may  enjoy  all  the  blessings  and  liberties  of  a free  and 
independent  republic. 

“Permit  me  to  wish  you  public,  domestic  and  individual  happiness, 
while  I have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

“ .Your  devoted  and  obedient  servant, 

John  Sevier.” 

The  usage  at  that  day  required  a reply  from  the  General 
Assembly,  to  every  communication  made  to  it  by  the  Go- 
vernor ; and  on  the  8th,  Mr.  Rhea,  as  the  organ  of  the  two 
Houses,  reported  the  following  address  : 

Sir: — AVe  are  fully  sensible,  that  the  important  objects  by  you  laid 
before  this  General  Assembly,  made  it  necessary  for  you  to  convene  the 
Legislature  at  this  time. 

We  rejoice  with  you, in  the  event  of  this. State  being  formally  admitted 
into  the  Federal  Union ; and  our  minds  are  filled  with  the  most  pleasing 
sensations,  when  we  reflect  on  the  prosperity  and  political  happiness  to 
which  we  view  it,  as  a certain  prelude.  Be  assured,  sir,  it  will  be  our  first 
and  greatest  care,  to  adopt  such  measures  as  will  promote  the  true  inter- 
ests of  this  State,  as  connected  with  the  American  Union. 

With  respect  to  our  representation,  in  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  in  particular,  we  flatter  ourselves,  such  steps  have  been  taken, 
that  no  reason  now  remains,  sufficient  to  justify  that  body  in  refusing 
any  longer  to  recognize  our  Senators . 

The  measures  here  alluded  to,  as  having  been  adopted  by 
the  Legislature,  were,  the  election,  again, lof  the  Senators 
from  Tennessee  to  the  United  States  Congress — the  repeal  of 
43 


674 


ACT  PROVIDING  FOR  THE  ELECTION  OF  ELECTORS 


the  act  of  its  last  session,  providing  for  the  election  of  two 
Representatives,  and  the  enactment  of  a law  for  the  election 
of  a single  member  from  the  State — and  lastly,  the  annul- 
ment ol  the  legislative  election,  April  21,  of  four  Electors 
of  President  and  Vice-President,  and  provision  for  the  elec- 
tion of  three. 

William  Blount  and  William  Cocke  were  again  elected 
Senators.  To  the  address  of  the  Legislature,  informing  Mr. 
Cocke  that  he  was  again  elected  to  represent  the  State  of 
Tennessee  in  the  United  States  Senate,  and  re-assuring  him, 
on  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  the  State,  of  the  entire  confi- 
dence reposed  in  his  fidelity  and  integrity,  that  Senator  re- 
plied in  terms,  and  with  a spirit,  that  probably  reflected 
truly,  the  feelings  and  temper  of  the  people.  He  said  : 

Gentlemen-. — Nothing  can  be  a higher  reward  for  faithful  services, 
than  the  approbation  of  a free  people— I call  my  country  free,  because 
by  their  Constitution,  they  are  so. 

I cannot  help  mentioning  to  you,  I feel  the  deepest  concern  to  see  our 
dearest  rights  invaded  by  the  supreme  legislature  of  the  nation.  We 
are  by  them  made  subject  to  the  payment  of  taxes,  while  we  have  been 
unjustly  deprived  of  representation. 

We  have  been  deprived  of  the  use  of  our  property  for  public  conve- 
nience, without  any  compensation  being  made  ; and  acts  in  the  style  of 
laws  have  passed,  declaring  it  highly  penal  to  enjoy  the  free  use  thereof; 
such  rude  attacks  on  our  constitutional  rights  should  be  remonstrated 
against  with  freedom  and  firmness. 

I hope  our  opponents  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  will  be  una- 
ble to  find  another  quibble  whereby  to  deprive  us  of  an  equal  share  of 
the  representation  that  shall  make  the  laws  by  which  we  are  to  be  go- 
verned. I am,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

William  Cocke. 

August  3. — An  act  was  passed  providing  for  the  election 
of  one  Representative  to  Congress,  and  repealing  the  act  of 
28th  March,  authorizing  the  election  of  two. 

Aug.  8th. — An  act  was  passed,  providing  for  the  election  of 
three  Electors  of  President  and  Vice-President.  At  the  previ- 
ous session,  four  electors  had  been  elected  by  joint  ballot  of  the 
two  Houses.  The  mode  of  electing,  in  this  instance,  is  still 
more  anomalous.  The  State  is  divided  into  three — Washing- 
ton, Hamilton  and  Mero  Districts  ; and  in  the  words  of  the 
act,  “that  the  said  electors  maybe  elected  with  as  little 
trouble  to  the  citizens  as  possible — Be  it  enacted,  That  John 


OF  PRESIDENT  AND  VICE-PRESIDENT. 


675 


Carter,  John  Adams  and  John  McAllister,  of  Washington, 
John  Scott,  Richard  Gammon  and  James  Gains,  of  Sullivan 
county,”  and  three  others  for  each  of  the  remaining  counties 
of  Washington  District,  and,  in  like  manner,  three  others,  for 
each  of  the  counties  in  Hamilton  and  Mero  Districts,  “ are 
appointed  electors  to  elect  an  elector  for  their  respective 
Districts.”  The  electors  named  in  the  act  were  to  meet  at 
Jonesboro’,  Knoxville  and  Nashville,  and  elect  an  elector 
for  each  District.  The  three  electors  thus  elected,  were  to 
convene  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  December,  at  Knoxville, 
and  “ proceed  to  elect  a President  and  Vice-President  of  the 
United  States,  pursuant  to  an  act  of  Congress.” 

August  9. — Mr.  White,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to 
draw  up  a remonstrance  to  Congress,  presented,  for  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Assembly,  an  address  and  remonstrance  to 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  In  this  document,  which 
is  of  great  length,  the  remonstrants  recapitulate : That 

Tennessee  is  admitted  into  the  Federal  Union,  on  an  equal 
footing  with  any  of  the  original  States  ; that  the  United 
States,  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution,  guaranteed  to 
each  State  its  sovereignty,  according  to  its  chartered  limits, 
and  that  that  sovereignty  was  acknowledged  by  Great  Bri- 
tain, by  the  treaty  of  Paris  ; that,  acting  on  these  principles, 
North-Carolina  had  opened  land  offices,  for  the  sale  of  land 
within  her  chartered  limits;  and  in  agreement  with  her 
laws,  entries  had  been  made,  warrants  issued,  and  grants 
had  been  made  for  lands  in  her  territory  ; that  North-Caro- 
lina had  ceded  her  western  territory  to  Congress,  under  cer- 
tain express  conditions — one  of  which,  as  provided  for  in  her 
Deed  of  Cession,  was,  that  the  Governor  of  North-Carolina, 
for  the  time  being,  shall  be,  and  is  required,  to  perfect  land 
titles  in  such  manner  as  if  the  Cession  had  not  been  made  ; 
that,  as  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  confirms  all 
engagements  made  by  Congress,  previous  to  its  adoption,  the 
enterers  and  grantees  of  lands  thus  ceded,  expected  that 
they  were  secure,  as  to  their  right  in  fee,  and  of  possession 
of  the  land  by  them  purchased  and  paid  for;  that,  at  the 
treaty  of  Hopewell,  William  Blount,  as  Agent  of  North- 
Carolina,  had  protested  against  one  of  its  articles,  respecting 
the  boundary  of  the  Cherokees ; that,  by  an  act  of  the  last 


670 


ANDREW  JACKSON  ELECTED  TO  CONGRESS, 


Congress,  fines,  forfeitures  and  imprisonment  are  enacted 
against  claimants  and  grantees  of  lands  lying  beyond  said 
boundary  ; by  which,  they  are  much  injured — being  prohi- 
bited from  any  act  of  ownership  of  lands,  long  since  bona 
fide  contracted  and  paid  for,  and  for  which,  in  part,  grants 
have  already  issued  by  North-Carolina,  under  the  good  faith 
of  the  United  States  ; and  that 

“ This  Legislature,  ever  willing  to  support  the  Constitution  and  Law's 
of  the  United  States,  made  pursuant  thereto,  being  impressed  with  a 
sense  of  the  injury  and  grievances  sustained  by  the  citizens  in  conse- 
quence of  the  line  of  the  treaty  of  Holston,  and  the  act  before  men- 
tioned, do  earnestly  request,  that  the  prohibitions  preventing  them  to 
possess  the  lands  before  alluded  to,  may  be  removed  ; that  provision,  by 
law,  be  made,  for  extinguishing  the  Indian  claim  to  said  lands  ; that  the 
owners  and  grantees  of  said  lands  may  enter  upon,  occupy  and  possess 
the  same  in  a full  and  ample  manner,  and  have  every  right,  privilege 
and  advantage,  which  they  are  entitled  to  by  constitutional  law's  ; which 
justice  being  done  to  the  citizens  of  this  State,  the  officers  of  Govern- 
ment will  be  enabled  to  execute  the  constitutional  laws  of  the  United 
States  with  ease  and  convenience.” 

It  was  afterwards  further  resolved,  by  both  Houses,  “ that 
it  shall  be  a duty  of  the  Senators  and  Representatives  of 
this  State,  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  to  lay  the 
remonstrance  of  the  Legislature  before  Congress,  and  endea- 
vour that  the  object  thereof  be  obtained.” 

At  the  election  held  under  the  act  of  this  called  session, 
Andrew  Jackson,  of  Davidson  county,  was  elected  Repre- 
sentative from  the  State  of  Tennessee  in  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States.  That  body  assembled  December  5th,  1796, 
at  Philadelphia,  when  Air.  Jackson  was  qualified  and  took 
his  seat. 

In  accordance  with  the  law  passed  for  that  purpose,  Gov. 
Sevier  wrote,  April  25,  to  the  Tennessee  Senators,  request- 
ing them  to  have  a suitable  seal  of  the  State  made  by  “ inge- 
nious mechanics  in  Philadelphia — such  an  one  as  will  be  ele- 
gant, comprehensive,  and  sufficiently  expressive  of  the  pur- 
poses and  uses  intended.  Under  their  direction,  the  present 
Great  Seal  of  the  State  of  Tennessee  was  engraven.  It  has 
upon  it  : the  cotton  plant,  the  sheaf  of  wheat,  and,  as  “ com- 
prehensive,” the  plough,  to  represent  agriculture  ; and  a sail- 
vessel,  there  then  being  no  steamboats  in  the  West,  nor 


AND  SUPPORTS  THE  CLAIMS  OF  THE  VOLUNTEERS.  677 

elsewhere,  to  represent  commerce.  The  XVI  at  the  head 
of  the  seal,  designated  Tennessee  as,  numerically,  the  six- 
teenth at  the  date  of  its  admission  into  the  Union. 

The  Senators  and  Representatives  in  Congress  from  Ten- 
nessee, brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 
the  claims  of  the  militia  of  that  State  for  their  services 
against  the  Indians,  on  the  Etowah  campaign.  The  Secre- 
tary made  an  unfavourable  report  to  the  House.  General 
Cocke,  in  a letter  to  the  Gazette,  says  : “ Your  representa- 

tive, Mr.  Jackson,  has  distinguished  himself  by  the  spirited 
manner  in  which  he  opposed  the  report.  Notwithstanding 
the  misrepresentation  of  the  Secretary,  I hope  the  claim 
will  be  allowed  ; if  it  is,  a principle  will  be  established  for 
the  payment  of  all  services  done  b}r  the  militia  of  the  Ter- 
ritory.” 

In  support  of  the  resolution  to  pay  for  the  military  servi- 
ces against  the  Indians,  Mr.  Jackson  said — 

“ The  rations  found  for  the  troops  on  this  expedition  had  been  paid 
for  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  he  could  see  no  objection  to  the  pay- 
ment of  the  whole  expense.  As  the  troops  were  called  out  by  a supe- 
rior officer,  they  had  no  right  to  doubt  his  authority.  Were  a contrary 
doctrine  admitted,  it  would  strike  at  the  very  root  of  subordination.  It 
would  be  saying  to  soldiers — Before  you  obey  the  command  of  your 
superior  officer,  you  have  a right  to  inquire  into  the  legality  of  the  ser- 
vice upon  which  you  are  about  to  be  employed,  and  until  you  are  satis- 
fied, you  may  refuse  to  take  the  field.’  This,  he  believed,  was  a princi- 
ple which  could  not  be  acted  on.  General  Sevier,  said  Mr.  Jackson, 
was  bound  to  obey  the  orders  he  received  to  undertake  the  expedition. 
The  officers  under  him  were  bound  to  obey  him.  They  went  with  full 
confidence  that  the  United  States  would  pay  them,  believing  they  had 
appointed  such  officers  as  would  not  call  them  into  the  field  without 
proper  authority.  If,  eveu,  the  expedition  had  been  unconstitutional, 
(which  he  was  far  from  believing,)  it  ought  not  to  aftect  the  soldier, 
since  he  had  no  choice  in  the  business,  being  obliged  to  obey  his  superior. 
Indeed,  as  the  provision  had  been  paid  for,  and  as  the  ration  and  pay- 
rolls were  always  considered  as  checks  upon  each  other,  he  hoped  no 
objection  would  be  made  to  the  resolution  which  he  moved.” 

The  winter  of  1796-7  is  chronicled  as  the  coldest  ever 
experienced  by  the  oldest  inhabitant.  On  the  evening  of  the 
22d  December,  the  river  was  entirely  free  from  ice.  On  the 
morning  of  the  23d,  the  ice  was  moving  down  the  river  in 
great  quantities  ; on  the  24th,  the  river  was  frozen  over,  and 


678 


BEAR  BARBECUED  UPON  THE  FROZEN  BIVF.R. 


was  crossed  by  horsemen  upon  the  ice.  On  the  25th,  a 
Christmas  dinner  was  given  upon  the  ice,  by  the  Federal 
officers,  at  Tellico  Block-house,  to  a large  company  of  gen- 
tlemen and  ladies.  “ Contiguous  to  the  place  of  entertain- 
ment, two  quarters  of  a bear  were  barbecued,  where  the 
ice  was  found  to  be,  in  thickness,  sufficient  to  bare  fire 
enough  to  have  roasted  an  ox,  without  being  materially 
weakened  by  the  heat.”* 

Early  in  this  year,  disturbances  of  a serious  nature  pre- 
vailed among  the  Upper  Cherokees.  Edward  Mitchell  and 
William  Livingston  went  to  the  camp  of  some  Indian  hunt- 
ers, where  they  were  informed,  by  Lame  Will,  that  Red  Bird 
had  gone  to  the  camp  of  some  white  people.  On  his  return 
he  was  met  by  Mitchell  and  Livingston,  who  fired  upon  and 
killed  him.  They  then  returned  to  the  Indian  camp,  when 
Mitchell  fired  at,  but  missed,  Lame  Will,  who,  with  a knife 
in  one  hand  and  a crutch  in  the  other,  made  towards  Mitch- 
ell, who  ran  off.  Livingston  then  coming  up,  encountered 
Will,  and,  after  several  unsuccessful  attempts  to  shoot  him, 
drew  his  tomahawk  and  killed  liim.f 

Jan.  31. — An  Act  was  passed  by  Congress  giving  effect 
to  the  laws  of  the  United  States  within  the  State  of 
Tennessee.  By  the  second  section  of  this  Act,  the  State 
was  made  to  embrace  one  District,  to  be  denominated  the 
Tennessee  District.  A District  Court  was  established,  four 
sessions  of  which  should  be  holden  alternately  at  Knoxville 
and  Nashville.  By  the  fourth  section  of  this  Act,  the  State 
was  made  one  Collector’s  District,  whose  office  should  be 
held  at  Palmyra,  which  was  the  only  port  of  entry,  or  de- 
livery of  any  goods,  wares  or  merchandize,  not  the  growth 
or  manufacture  of  the  United  States.  The  salary  of  the  col- 
lector at  Palmyra  was  one  hundred  dollars. 


1797 


* Knoxville  Gazette,  January  9,  1797. 

tFor  many  of  the  incidents  occurring  in  Blount  county,  I am  indebted  to 
Samuel  Bogle,  Esq.  one  of  its  worthiest  pioneers,  now  nearly  one  hundred  years  old, 
but  still  vigorous  and  clear-minded.  He  was,  himself,  an  active  participator  in 
most  of  the  difficulties  with  the  Indians.  Mr.  Bogle  is,  in  every  respect,  an  ex- 
cellent specimen  of  the  frontier  citizen  and  soldier,  and  is  one  of  the  few  survi- 
ving pioneers  of  Tennessee,  living,  in  patriarchal  simplicity  and  rural  quiet,  on 
Elijah,  near  the  old  Indian  War  Trace.  ' 


FEDERAL  TROOTS  AT  KNOXVILLE. 


679 


Two  companies  of  United  States  troops,  commanded  by 
Captain  Richard  Sparks  and  Captain  John  Wade,  were  sta- 
tioned at  Knoxville.  The  object  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 
in  placing  them  there,  was  to  enforce  an  “ Act  of  Congress 
to  regulate  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Indian  Tribes,  and 
to  preserve  peace  on  the  Frontier.”  South  of  Holston,  some 
settlements  had  been  formed  on  lands  ceded  by  the  Chero- 
kees,  under  the  Dumplin  and  Coyatee  Treaties;  but  across 
the  Indian  boundary,  as  fixed  by  the  Treaty  of  Holston, 
and  in  Powell’s  Valley,  settlers  were  opening  their  farms 
under  grants  from  North-Carolina,  but  upon  lands  to  which 
the  Cherokee  title  was  not  yet  extinguished.  To  these  set- 
tlers Captains  Sparks  and  Wade  issued  their  manifesto,  in- 
forming the  intruders  of  their  powers,  and  of  the  extent  of  the 
provisions  of  the  Act  of  Congress  which  it  was  made  their 
duty  to  enforce. 

“ It  is  not  our  wish,  said  they,  to  enter  rashly  upon  the  duty  assigned 
us,  nor  do  we  conceive  there  will  be  a necessity  for  it ; and,  in  order,  there- 
fore, to  give  you  full  time  to  prepare  your  minds  for  the  event,  we  have 
deemed  it  proper  to  notify  you  that  on  or  about  the  20th  instant,  we 
shall  meet  you  at  Yocum’s  Station,  where  we  hope  your  numbers  will 
be  full  and  respectable,  and  your  tempers  calmly  disposed  to  argue  on 
a subject  which  involves  in  itself  consequences  of  material  magnitude  to 
the  Union  at  large,  and  to  you  in  particular.  We  are  assured  that  the 
reflection  of  a moment  will  evince  to  you  how  much  better  it  is  to  ob- 
serve a strict  obedience  to  the  laws,  than  by  a refractory  disposition  to 
involve  your  fellow-citizens  in  the  tumults  of  anarchy,  and  probably  in 
the  horrors  of  war,  and  create  in  your  own  minds  a self-reproach  which 
will  be  forever  felt. 

“ Fellow-Citizens  : — At  our  meeting  we  will  not  scruple  to  read  to 
you  the  instructions  we  have  received,  and  by  which  we  are  to  be  go- 
verned ; and  after  your  hearing  them,  we  cannot  admit  of  a doubt,  but 
that  in  a given  time  you  will  remove  to  that  side  of  the  line  to  which 
we  have  a just  claim,  and  save  the  necessity  of  any  unnecessary  alterca- 
tion.” 

The  influence  of  the  authorities  of  Tennessee  assisted  in 
promoting  obedience  to  the  law  of  Congress.  The  Gazette, 
already  an  organ  of  admitted  potency  in  the  new  State,  also 
contributed  its  weight,  in  support  of  the  Federal  enactment. 
Commenting  upon  the  circular  addressed  by  the  two  United 
States  captains  to  the  intruders,  and  published  in  its  co- 
lumns, the  Gazette  says  : — “It  is  so  replete  with  mildness  and 


680 


VINDICATION  OF  STATIC  EIGHTS 


moderation,  that  the  most  obstinate  disposition  cannot  but 
concur  with  them  in  opinion,  that  it  is  better  to  meet  the 
wishes  of  these  gentlemen,  than  by  a perverse  conduct  com- 
pel them  to  measures  which  may  terminate  in  unhappy  con- 
sequences,” etc. 

A communication  to  the  same  purport  from  “Many,”  dated 
Jefferson  county,  also  appeared  in  the  Gazette.  In  this  the 
writer  earnestly  dissuades  the  intruders  from  rushing,  “with- 
out consideration,  into  the  horrors  of  civil  confusion,  and 
thereby  involve  the  innocent  with  the  guilty.” 

But  there  were  not  wanting,  on  this  occasion,  writers,  who, 
while  they  did  not  advise  resistance  to,  or  disobedience  of  the 
Federal  authority,  stated  emphatically  the  argument  on  be- 
half of  the  settlers.  One  of  these,  in  a reply  to  Capts.  Sparks 
and  Wade,  remarks  : 

“ It  was  not  from  refractory  or  disorderly  dispositions  we  were  influ- 
enced to  take  possession  of  the  lands  we  now  occupy.  We  had  regard 
to  the  laws  of  nature,  of  nations,  the  statutes  of  North-Carolina,  and  to 
our  own  civil  code.  The  Constitution  of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  in  the 
31st  Article  of  the  Bill  of  Rights,  guarantees  to  the  people  residing 
south  of  French  Broad  and  Holston,  between  the  Rivers  Tennessee  and 
Big  Pigeon,  the  right  of  pre-emption  and  occupancy  in  that  tract.  Con- 
gress recognized  that  Constitution  in  all  its  parts  by  receiving  the  State 
into  the  Federal  Union.  Many  of  us  hold  grants  for  our  lands,  legally 
obtained  from  North-Carolina  whilst  under  her  jurisdiction.  Under 
these  plausible  claims  we  settled  ourselves  on  the  lands  from  which  you 
command  us  to  remove.”  . “ Legislators  of  the  great  American 

Republic ! is  it  nothing  to  you  to  see  our  wives  and  children,  who  by 
their  industry  have  hitherto  lived  in  affluence  on  their  own  farms,  beg- 
gared by  your  unconstitutional  laws?  We  say  your  laws  are  unconsti- 
tutional, because  they  deprive  us  of  property,  for  which  we  had  a legal 
right  before  the  Treaty  of  Holston.  Do  you  feel  no  remorse  at  our 
impending  ruin  ? Are  you  callous  to  our  sufferings  ? Accustomed  to 
wallow  in  luxury,  you  cannot  feel  for  the  distresses  of  the  poor.”  . . . . 
“ We  have  now,  gentlemen,  delineated  to  you  the  outlines  of  our  claims. 
We  have  also  stated  in  miniature,  the  wrongs  we  are  about  to  sustain 
from  the  operations  of  the  General  Government.  A volume  would  not 
contain  the  reasonings  we  could  advance  on  the  justice  of  our  claims. 
The  earth  was  created  for  the  use  of  man.  We  could  plead  purchase, 
occupancy,  conquest  and  relinquishment  by  the  Aborigines  ; but  all 
these  reasonings,  we  suppose,  would  be  in  vaitfT  Power  is  in  the  hands 
of  the  General  Government,  and  we  are  disposed  to  obey  her  will  for 
the  present .” 

Another  communication,  signed  “ The  Frontier  People  of 


681 


BY  A CONTRIBUTOR  TO  “THE  GAZETTE.” 

Tennessee appeared  soon  after.  In  this  the  writer  pre- 
mises that  redress  for  the  grievances  inflicted  on  them  by 
the  act  of  Congress,  concerning  the  intruders  upon  Indian 
territory,  should  be  sought  only  in  the  mode  which  the  Con- 
stitution and  the  genius  of  the  Government  point  out.  Speak- 
ing of  the  act  of  May,  1796,  the  writer  says — 

“ We  conceive  that  law  to  be  an  invasion  of  our  natural  rights  ; we 
claim  it  as  a power  inherent  in  us,  and  derived  from  the  author  of  our 
existence,  to  cultivate  and  to  convert  to  our  use,  any  unappropriated 
part  of  the  habitable  globe,  and  to  make  it  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  the 
earth.  This  general  position  we  assert  to  be  of  divine  right,  and  ac- 
knowledged from  age  to  age,  by  all  the  nations  of  the  Christian  world, 
and  recognized  by  the  laws,  customs  and  usages  of  the  people  of  Ame- 
rica, from  its  discovery  to  the  present  day.”  ....  “We  submit 
the  justice  of  our  claims  to  the  laws  and  constitution  of  our  country — we 
ask  from  whence  does  the  Federal  Government  derive  the  power,  to 
exercise  legal  jurisdiction  over  the  land  on  which  we  are  settled  ? We 
claim  the  right  to  settle  these  lands  under  the  laws  of  North-Carolina, 
made  previous  to  ceding  this  country  to  the  United  States,  and  the  laws 
made  subsequent  thereto.”  . . . . “ If  we  are  not  now  permitted 

to  take  possession  of  these  lands,  the  consideration  paid  for  them  is  vio- 
lated ; and  it  is  a distinction  new  and  incomprehensible  to  us,  that  a 
grant  from  a sovereign  and  independent  State,  can  convey  a right  with- 
out the  power  to  enjoy  it.  We  then  assert,  that  our  claims  are  founded 
on  the  act  of  that  very  body,  whose  successors,  at  the  expiration  of  less 
than  five  years,  have  thought  proper  to  deprive  us  of  those  lights  pro- 
perly vested  in  us.”  . ...  u Why  has  a law  been  made  to  oblige 

us  to  the  observance  of  this  bargain,  (the  treaty  of  Holston,)  which  has 
been  cancelled  with  the  blood  of  our  fellow-citizens  ? We  acknowledge 
to  feel  the  force  in  all  its  various  powers,  which  binds  the  members  of 
a community  to  respect  its  laws,  and  pay  to  them  a necessary  submis- 
sion; but  we  hope,  that  we  or  our  posterity,  to  the  latest  generation,  will 
never  lose  sight  of  the  point  to  which  these  obligations  ought  to  go, 
and  beyond  which  it  is  our  province,  as  men,  to  restrain  their  progress. 
It  is,  therefore,  with  pain  we  contemplate  the  infractions  of  our  unaliena- 
ble rights,  made  by  the  law  of  1796 — a law  which  we  protest  against, 
as  unconstitutional,  because  it  invades  the  rights  of  our  property.”'  . . 

“ Is  this  the  tribunal  before  which  we  are  to  argue  ? and  can  a law  be 
binding  which  places  the  scales  of  justice  in  the  hands  of  a troop  of  sol- 
diers ? However  virtuous  that  soldiery  may  be,  the  original  principles 
of  our  national  compact  forbid  it.  Let  it  not  be  said  we  wish  to  fan  the 
coals  of  sedition  in  our  country.  As  men,  we  are  bound  to  assert  our 
rights  ; as  citizens  of  a free  and  enlightened  State,  we  c.aim  attention 
to  our  grievances.  Instead  of  meeting  at  our  doors  the  soldier,  who  is 
ordered  to  sound  the  din  of  war  in  our  ears,  we  would  call  on  the  guar- 
dians of  our  country  to  defend  us  in  the  possession  of  our  rights.  We 
rely  on  the  justice  of  Congress,  and  we  assure  our  fellow-citizens  of  the 


682 


CAMPBELL  ADDS  TO  THE  ARGUMENT, 


Union,  that  general  order  and  universal  acquiesence,  under  the  just 
laws  of  government,  are  the  first  wishes  of  our  hearts.” 

Another  writer,  over  the  signature  of  “Campbell,”  addresses 
“ The  citizens  of  Tennessee,  who  are  about  to  be  alienated 
and  dismembered  by  the  acts  and  proceedings  of  the  Federal 
Government.”  In  this  address  he  examines  the  question, 
whether  Congress  has  a right  to  alienate  any  part  of  the 
State  of  Tennessee,  and  what  are  the  rights  of  those  who 
may  be  dismembered  from  it.  Establishing  the  principle 
that  North-Carolina  had  the  right  to  open  a land  office  within 
her  chartered  limits,  he  argues  that  the  State  of  Tennessee, 
in  consequence  of  that  right,  may  guarantee  to  her  citizens, 
the  settlement  and  occupancy  of  the  lands  on  which  it  is  al- 
leged they  are  intruders.  That  the  parent  State,  previous 
to  the  act  of  Cession,  possessing  then,  as  she  did,  sovereign 
power  over  them,  had  granted  these  lands,  and  that  Ten- 
nessee and  Congress  itself,  by  accepting  its  constitution,  had 
recognized  the  validity  of  the  grants ; and  that,  of  course, 
the  occupants  cannot  be  considered  to  be  in  a state  of  re- 
bellion against  their  own,  or  intruders  on  any  other  nation. 
He  advises  deliberation,  deprecates  hasty  action,  and  urges 
the  intruders  to  depend  upon  the  legality  of  their  claims. 
“ They  are  founded  on  facts,  principles  and  laws  which 
cannot  be  controverted.  That  as  the  lands  in  dispute  are  held 
by  legal  titles,  Congress  has  no  right  to  declare  war  or  re- 
sort to  force  for  the  purpose  of  expelling  the  occupants.  The 
civil  law  ought  to  decide  the  contest  in  the  District  or  Fe- 
deral Courts.”  Enlarging  upon  these  and  similar  topics, 
“ Campbell ” closes  his  second  number  with  these  patriotic  and 
wise  remarks  : “ Let  us  pursue  order  and  acquiesce  in  the 
laws,  until  we  can  make  a constitutional  appeal  to  Congress. 
Let  us  act  as  if  we  were  only  one  entire  harmonious  family, 
and  let  the  spirit  of  concord  be  kept  up  in  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee forever.  Friendly,  true  and  pathetic  applications  to 
Congress,  through  our  representatives,  will  have  greater 
weight  with  them,  than  hostile  threats  and  preparations.” 

In  his  third  number,  addressed  to  the  United  States  Commis- 
sioners, Hawkins,  Pickens  and  Winchester,  about  to  hold  fur- 
ther negotiations  with  the  Cherokees,  “ Campbell”  says:  “Let 


WHICH  IS  CONTINUED  BY  ANOTHER  WRITER. 


683 


us  hope  then,  that  you  will  not,  by  a strained  construction  of 
the  words  of  the  treaty,  in  favour  of  the  Indian  claim,  force 
those  citizens  who  have  the  right  of  property  and  the  right  of 
possession,  to  engage  in  a litigious  controversy  with  the 
military  who  may  be  ordered  to  dispossess  them.  Justifiable 
opposition  to  the  illegal  orders  of  the  Executive,  might  ex- 
tend its  influence  to  that  which  would  not  be  legal,  and  those 
whose  claims  are  not  fully  sanctioned  by  law,  follow  the 
example — an  evil  which  we  deprecate  or  pray  may  not  hap- 
pen. But  we  should  think  it  treason  against  the  govern- 
ment we  live  under,  and  which  we  admire — treason  against 
ourselves,  and  high  treason  against  posterity — were  we  to 
suffer  ourselves  to  be  tamely  deprived  of  our  lawful  pro- 
perty, by  military  force  or  diplomatic  authority.” 

Col.  Arthur  Campbell  is  thought  to  be  the  writer  of  these 
pieces.  These  extracts  from  them  are  meagre,  and  do  not 
present,  in  their  full  force,  the  weight  of  his  argument  and 
the  legitimacy  of  his  reasoning.  The  subject,  soon  after,  re- 
ceived attention  in  every  part  of  the  Union,  and  “ Campbell ” 
may  be  considered  as  a pioneer  writer  in  the  backwoods  of 
Tennessee,  investigating  a subject  that,  soon  after,  was  em- 
braced in  the  “ Kentucky  and  Virginia  Resolutions,”  of  1798 
and  1799. 

Another  correspondent,  “ Andrew  Rights ,”  continues  the 
same  subject : 

“ We  are  here,  settled  on  our  own  lands,  granted  to  us  by  our  mother 
State,  Nortli-Carolina  ; the  rights  are,  in  fee  simple,  ratified  by  a solemn 

act  of  Congress The  Executive  of  the  United  States 

has  paid  little  attention  to  our  rights,  by  the  manner  in  which  it  has 
communicated  its  will  to  us,  or  otherwise  it  has  adopted  the  method  of 
reasoning  made  use  of  by  Louis  XIV.,  of  France,  who  inscribed  on 
the  muzzles  of  his  cannon — “ This  is  the  logic  of  Kings  and  with 
the  same  propriety  may  say — “ This  is  the  logic  of  the  United  States." 

Then,  referring  to  “ Many,"  published  in  the  Gazette — 

“I  would  have  him  to  know  that  we  not  only  call  on  the  State  of 
Tennessee,  but  upon  every  State  in  the  Union,  to  assist  us  in  obtaining 
our  rights  and  privileges  as  secured  to  us  by  law,  and  doubt  not  of  their 
assistance,  if  necessary ; and  I would  refer  him  to  this  clause  in  the 
Constitution,  that  government  being  instituted  for  the  common  benefit, 
the  doctrine  of  non-resistance  to  arbitrary  power  and  oppression  is  ab- 
surd, slavish,  and  destructive  to  the  good  and  happiness  of  mankind. 


684 


ACTION  OF  CONGRESS  ON  TIIE 


“ One  of  the  usual  methods  of  arbitrary  governments,  is  to  include 
forfeiture  of  estate,  under  the  pretence  of  a punishment  of  some  crime. 
Our  Constitution  has  wisely  guarded  against  such,  that  even  for  treason, 
it  has  forbidden  corruption  of  blood  or  confiscation  of  property , and 
yet,  in  sec.  five  of  this  law,  ‘ That  if  any  citizen  shall  make  a settlement 
on  any  lands  granted,  by  treaty,  to  any  Indian  tribe,  such  offender  shall 
forfeit  all  his  right,  title  and  claim,  if  any  he  hath,  of  whatsoever  nature 
or  kind  the  same  shall  be,  to  the  lands  aforesaid  whereupon  he  shall 
make  settlement  or  otherwise.’  Such  a law  is  cruel,  tyrannical  and 
oppressive.  The  punishments  inflicted  by  it  do  not  stop  here.  ‘ He 
shall  also  forfeit  and  pay  a sum  not  exceeding  one  thousand  dollars, 
and  suffer  imprisonment  not  exceeding  twelve  months.’  . . . The 

Constitution  of  Tennessee  is  admitted  into  the  Union,  by  Congress,  and 
it  prohibits  the  courts  here  from  inflicting  a fine  exceeding  fifty  dollars, 

except  by  a jury,  and  leaves  the  same  to  the  courts I 

address  the  members  of  Congress  from  this  State  to  use  their  industry 
to  have  this  act  repealed.  Such  an  act  might  look  tolerably  well  in  a 
proclamation  from  Britain,  but  I beg  you  to  erase  it  out  of  the  records 
and  existing  laws  of  a republican  government.  Let  it  be  wiped  away, 
and  never  one  more  of  the  sort  be  seen — an  enemy  to  liberty,  nature, 
good  policy  and  humanity.” 

Mr.  Blount  and  Mr.  Cocke,  Senators,  and  General  Jack- 
son,  the  Representative,  of  Tennessee,  were,  in  the  meantime, 
active  in  relation  to  the  affairs  of  the  State  they  represented, 
and  with  whose  interests  they  were  so  familiar.  On  the 
third  day  of  March,  this  resolution  was  introduced  in  the 
Senate  : 

“ Resolved , That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be  requested  to 
cause  a treaty  or  treaties  to  be  held,  as  speedily  as  may  be,  with  such  of 
the  Indian  tribes  as  may  have  claims  to  certain  western  lands,  ceded  by 
North-Carolina  to  the  United  States,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  an 
extinguishment  of  their  claim  to  so  much  thereof  as  lie  to  the  north 
and  east  of  the  River  Tennessee,  within  the  State  of  Tennessee.” 

The  resolution  was  rejected,  only  eight  Senators  voting 
in  the  affirmative. 

Previous  to  the  introduction  of  this  resolution,  to  wit,  on 
the  1st  of  March,  it  had  been,  in  the  same  body, 

“ Resolved , That  provision  ought,  by  law,  to  be  made  for  opening  a 
land  office  for  the  sale  of  lands  lying  within  the  limits  of  the  State  of 
Tennessee,  belonging  to  the  United  States,  to  which  the  Indian  title  has 
been  extinguished,  providing  that  the  occupants  shall  have  a priority  in 
the  location  of  such  of  the  said  lands  as  are  now  in  their  actual  possession 
and  improvement,  upon  such  reasonable  terms  as  may  be  fixed  by 
law.” 

This  had  been  introduced  into  the  Senate  by  Mr.  Hill- 


LAND  CLAIMS  OF  TENNESSEE. 


685 


house,  chairman  of  a committee  to  whom  the  whole  subject 
had  been  referred,  and  to  whom  the  Tennessee  Senators  had 
fully  explained  the  situation  of  the  people  to  be  affected  by 
it.  The  session  of  Congress  terminated  on  the  third,  and 
there  was  not  time  to  act  upon  it.  It  was,  therefore,  laid 
over  till  the  next  session. 

On  the  same  day,  Mr.  Hillhouse,  from  the  committee  to 
whom  was  referred  the  letter  and  enclosures  from  the  Go- 
vernor of  North-Carolina,  relative  to  the  extinguishment  of 
the  Indian  title  to  lands  granted  to  T.  Glasgow  & Co.,  by 
the  State  of  North-Carolina — the  address  of  the  Legislature 
of  the  State  of  Tennessee  on  the  same  subject,  and  also  the 
petition  of  J.  Glasgow  and  others,  relative  to  the  land  en- 
tered in  the  office  of  John  Armstrong,  and  since  ceded  to  the 
United  States,  made  an  elaborate  report,  and  recommended 
the  following  resolution  : 

“ Resolved , That  as  soon  as  the  title  to  the  said  lands  shall  be  extin- 
guished, under  the  authority  of  the  United  States,  by  purchase,  or  oth- 
erwise, provision  ought,  by  law,  to  be  made,  to  secure  to  such  of  said 
claimants,  as  by  conforming  to  the  laws  of  North-Carolina,  have  secured 
to  themselves  a title  to  the  right  of  pre-emption  under  such  laws,  the  oc- 
cupancy and  possession  of  such  lands.” 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  in  a contest  of  this  kind,  in- 
volving, as  it  did,  State  pride,  State  sovereignty — the  right 
of  property — in  which,  many  of  the  citizens  of  Tennessee 
felt  a direct  personal  interest,  not  a single  appeal  is  made  to 
the  passions  of  the  occupants,  nor  one  exhortation  made  to 
insubordination  or  resistance.  Most  of  the  writers  advise  a 
contrary  course.  In  his  last  number,  “ Campbell ” examines  the 
question  involved,  at  great  length.  He  closes  thus  : “I  have 
not  hesitated  to  speak  the  truth,  even  when  it  compelled  me 
to  charge  the  Executive  of  the  United  States  with  a viola- 
tion of  the  rights  of  the  individual  States,  and  of  the  people. 
You  have  heard  my  reasonings  as  a citizen;  hear  my  ad- 
vice as  a friend.  Acquiesce  in  the  operations  of  Govern- 
ment ; submit  to  the  legal  transactions  of  her  ministers  ; pe- 
tition Congress  for  negotiations,  to  be  set  on  foot  with  the 
Indians,  to  secure  your  settlements ; countenance  no  irregu- 
larities ; commit  no  outrages.  I have  announced  you  to  the 


686 


LOUIS  PHILIPPE  IN  KNOXVILLE. 


world  as  regular  and  orderly  citizens.  Let  your  conduct 
prove,  to  the  latest  ages  of  posterity,  that  I have  pronounced 
the  truth.  Let  us  attribute  our  misfortunes  to  the  true 
sources  whence  they  originated  ; to  the  misunderstanding  of 
the  words  of  the  treaty,  and  to  the  narrow  and  contracted 
policy  of  the  General  Government.” 

No  outbreak  followed — no  conflict  between  the  military 
and  the  citizens.  A rash  and  imprudent  procedure  on  the  part 
of  the  United  States  troops,  like  a spark  in  a powder  maga- 
zine, would  have  ended  in  their  annihilation.  But  the  con- 
ciliatory tone  of  the  circular — the  good  temper  and  wise  dis- 
cretion of  the  officers — the  force  of  general  public  sentiment 
and  the  disposition  of  the  State  authorities,  prevented  a colli- 
sion. Legislative  action  and  negotiations  followed,  and 
the  difficulty  was  settled  without  violence. 

Feb.  27. — Commerce,  by  means  of  the  river,  began  to 
reach  Knoxville.  On  that  day,  the  Gazette  notices  the  arri- 
val of  two  boats,  carrying  five  tons  each,  from  the  South 
Fork  of  Holston,  in  Virginia — the  distance  estimated  to  be, 
by  water,  above  three  hundred  miles.  The  pioneers  in  this 
navigation  were  Messrs.  Russell  and  Barry,  the  owners. 
The  cargo  consisted  of  flour,  salt  and  whiskey. 

March  4. — Thomas  Shields  was  killed  by  the-  Indians  in 
Sevier  county.  They  cut  his  bead  nearly  off,  ripped  open 
his  body,  took  out  his  bowels,  and  otherwise  shockingly  cut 
and  mangled  him. 

Louis  Philippe  and  his  brothers  in  Knoxville. 

April  30. — “Arrived  in  Knoxville,  three  sons  of  the  Duke 
of  Orleans  ; and  on  the  next  day,  set  out  on  their  journey  to 
the  westward,  by  'Tellico,  Fort  Grainger,  Nashville,  &c.  At 
the  age  of  fourteen,  the  eldest  of  those  gentlemen  commanded 
one  of  the  wings  of  Dumourier’s  army  at  the  famous  battle 
of  Jenappe  ; and  the  two  younger  were  imprisoned  forty- 
three  months,  by  the  French  Government,  at  Marseilles.”* 
Mail  facilities  were  necessarily  small  and  exceedingly  in- 
adequate, at  this  time,  in  Tennessee.  There  was  a post- 
office  at  Knoxville,  of  which  George  Roulstone  was  the 


^Gazette,  May  1,  1797. 


MAIL  FACILITIES  IN  TENNESSEE. 


687 


Postmaster.  To  this  office,  letters  were  sent,  for  much  of 
the  country  east,  and  for  all  the  country  west  of  it.  In  the 
list  of  letters  published,  as  remaining  on  hand,  January  1, 
1797,  are  letters  sent  to  Nollichucky,  to  Sumner  county,  to 
Buncombe,  to  Jonesboro’,  to  Blount,  to  Davidson,  to  Jeffer- 
son, to  North  Fork,  to  Bledsoe’s  Lick,  to  Nashville,  to  Hays- 
boro’,  to  Powell’s  Valley,  to  Palmyra  and  to  Dixon’s  Creek. 
The  mail  to  Knoxville  was  at  first  bi-monthly.  To  remedy 
this  infrequency  and.  consequent  inadequacy  of  mail  facili- 
ties, different  expedients  were  adopted.  The  publisher  of 
the  Gazette,  wishing  to  extend  the  circulation  of  that  jour- 
nal, engaged  Mr.  Munford  Smith  to  ride  post  for  him.  Mr. 
Roulstone  advertised  in  the  Gazette — 

“ His  route  will  be  as  follows,  provided  a sufficient  number  of  sub- 
scribers can  be  obtained.  He  will  set  out  every  other  Monday,  and  go 
by  Maryville  to  Sevierville ; from  thence,  by  Dandridge,  to  Hugh  Neil- 
son’s,  Esq.,  on  Lick  Creek  ; from  thence  to  Hawkins’  Court-House  ; and 
from  thence,  by  Haine’s  Iron  Works,  crossing  at  McBee’s  Ferry,  to 
Knoxville.  The  route  will  be  extended,  as  subscribers  may  enable  him  ; 
and  as  soon  as  a sufficient  number  of  subscribers  are  obtained,  he  will 
start  the  post  once  a week.  Each  subscriber  is  to  pay  one  cent  a paper, 
in  addition  to  the  subscription,  which  is  three  dollars  per  annum.” 

Besides  this  private  post  of  Mr.  Roulstone,  every  emigrant 
and  traveller,  who  came  to  the  country,  was  a self-consti- 
tuted letter-carrier.  Every  horseman  had,  in  his  saddle-bags 
or  portmanteau,  a small  wallet,  in  which  he  carried  letters 
from  citizens  of  the  old  States  to  the  settlers  in  the  new. 
This  was  carefully  opened  and  examined  at  the  several  sta- 
tions or  places  where  he  lodged  ; the  letters  were  then  deli- 
vered, distributed  or  re-mailed,  as  the  case  required.  The 
inhabitants  conscientiously  and  cheerfully  performed,  gratui- 
tously, the  duty  of  forwarding,  sometimes  to  distant  points, 
letters  thus  brought  into  their  care  and  possession.  Official 
despatches  were  sometimes  received  and  forwarded  in  the 
same  way.  An  endorsement,  “ on  the  public  service,”  se- 
cured the  transmission  of  a letter  by  a volunteer  express,  if 
not  with  the  celerity  and  despatch  of  the  present  United  States 
mail,  certainly  with  as  much  certainty  and  fidelity. 

According  to  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution,  elections 
were  held  in  August,  of  this  year.  John  Sevier  was  again 


688 


LEGISLATURE  MEETS  AT  KNOXVILLE. 


elected  Governor,  and  William  Charles  Cole  Claiborne,  Re- 
presentative to  Congress. 

“ On  Monday,  September  18,  the  General  Assembly  convened  at 
Knoxville.  The  Senators  were,  from — 

Washington — John  Tipton. 

Greene — Samuel  Frazier. 

Sullivan — George  Rutledge. 

Hawkins  and  Grainger— Joseph  McMinn. 

Knox — James  White. 

Jefferson — James  Roddy. 

Blount — Alexander  Kelly. 

Sevier — John  Clack. 

Davidson — Thomas  Hardeman. 

Sumner — Edward  Douglass. 

Robertson  and  Montgomery — James  Ford. 

James  White  was  elected  Speaker;  George  Roulstone,  Principal 
Clerk ; and  N.  Buckingham,  Assistant  Clerk. 

The  Representatives  were,  from — 

Washington — James  Stuart  and  Leeroy  Taylor. 

Greene — Joseph  Conway  and  John  Gass. 

Sullivan — John  Rhea  and  John  Scott. 

Hawkins — John  Cocke  and  James  Ore. 

Knox — John  Manifee  and  John  Sawyers. 

Jefferson — Adam  Peck  and  William  Lillard. 

Sevier — Spencer  Clack  and  Peter  Bryan. 

Blount — James  Scott  and  James  Greenway. 

Davidson — Robert  Weakly  and  Isaac  Roberts. 

Sumner — Stephen  Cantrell  and  William  Hall. 

Tennessee — William  Fort  and  James  Norfleet. 

James  Stuart  was  elected  Speaker;  Thomas  H.  Williams,  1st  Clerk; 
Jesse  Wharton,  2d  Clerk  ; and  John  Rhea,  Door-keeper.” 

September  22. — In  his  message  to  the  Legislature,  Gov- 
ernor Sevier  begged  the  members  to  express  to  the  people, 
in  the  liveliest  terms  of  sensibility,  his  gratitude  for  the 
honour  they  had  again  conferred  upon  him.  ITe  noticed  the 
rapid  increase  of  the  population  of  Tennessee  and  the  pros- 
perous condition  of  its  agriculture.  “ But  this  bright  pros- 
pect of  affairs,”  he  continues,  “ is  considerably  darkened  by 
the  extension  of  the  Indian  boundary.”- — -“A  large  tract  of 
settled  and  well  improved  land  is  said  to  be  within  the  boun- 
dary guaranteed  to  the  Cherokees  by  treaty  and  “ that  if 
the  people  are  compelled  to  abandon  their  possessions,  great 
injury  must  result  to  individuals  and  to  the  public.”  He  in- 
vites the  early  attention  of  the  Legislature  to  this  subject, 


COCKE  COUNTY  ESTABLISHED. 


689 


and  suggests  the  necessity  of  memorializing  Congress,  “from 
whose  authority  adequate  relief  can  only  be  obtained.”  He 
congratulates  the  country  on  the  continued  peace  with  the 
Indians.  Referring  to  the  threatening  aspect  of  European 
affairs,  he  urges  early  “ provision  for  holding  in  readiness 
the  quota  of  troops  assigned  to  this  State,”  and  recommends 
further  improvement  in  its  militia  laws. 

William  Maclin  was  elected  Secretary  of  State. 

Hon.  Joseph  Anderson  was  commissioned  Senator  from 
State  of  Tennessee,  for  remainder  of  the  term  for  which  the 
late  Senator,  William  Blount,  had  drawn. 

Oct.  28. — Howell  Tatum,  Esq.,  was  commissioned  Judge 
of  the  Superior  Court  of  Law  and  Equity. 

At  this  session,  Jefferson  county  was  divided  and  the 
county  of  Cocke  laid  off.  Henry  Ragan,  William  Job,  John 
Caffee,  Peter  Fine,  John  Keeney,  Reps.  Jones  and  John  Mc- 
Glocklen,  were  appointed  to  select  a place  for  the  court-house 
and  erect  the  county  buildings.  The  first  court  was  held  at 
the  house  of  Daniel  Adams. 

Cocke  county  was  named  for  Gen.  William  Cocke,  a native 
of  Virginia,  and  an  emigrant  to  Holston.  He  has  been  re- 
peatedly mentioned  as  having  participated  in  the  military, 
civil,  legislative  and  judiciary  services  of  Virginia,  North- 
Carolina,  Franklin  and  Tennessee,  where  he  was  known  as 
an  efficient  and  zealous  officer,  from  his  debut  at  Long- 
Island,  to  his  seat  in  the  United  States  Senate,  which  he  held 
for  twelve  years.  He  will  be  seen,  thereafter,  as  one  of  the 
Circuit  Judges  for  Tennessee.  A member  of  her  Legislature 
at  the  commencement  of  the  Creek  war  in  September,  1813, 
after  assisting  to  pass  an  act  to  authorize  an  augmentation 
of  the  forces  to  march  against  the  Creeks,  and  to  protect 
the  defenceless  settlers  in  the  most  exposed  part  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi Territory,  and  repel  invasion,  he,  at  the  rise  of  the 
Legislature,  though  above  sixty  years  of  age,  and  before  visit- 
ing his  home  in  East  Tennessee,  volunteered  his  services  as 
a private  in  that  war,  and  acted  therein  most  bravely  and 
usefully.  He  was  afterwards  appointed  United  States  Agent 
to  the  Chickasaws.  He  afterwards  settled  in  Mississippi, 
44 


690 


coxe’s  expedition  to  muscle  shoals, 


and  represented  his  county  in  its  legislature.  In  private 
life,  he  was  most  hospitable  and  benevolent. 

To  encourage  commerce,  promote  industry,  and  advance 
the  agriculture  of  the  country,  the  legislature  established  a 
public  inspection  of  tobacco  in  Waynesboro’,  Davidson 
county. 

Coxe  still  entertained  the  design  of  occupying  the  Muscle 
Shoals  purchase.  The  boat  to  transport  the  troops,  guns  and 
provision  necessary  to  carry  into  effect  the  settlement  at 
the  Muscle  Shoals,  was  built  at  the  mouth  of  Chucky.  It 
was  of  immense  dimensions,  and  was,  at  that  day,  from  its 
size  and  structure,  called  a ship — having,  on  all  sides,  such 
barricades  as  would  make  it  impregnable  to  small  arms.  It 
was  well  provided  with  howitzers  and  small  ordnance,  and 
constituted  a good  floating  battery. 

To  prevent  the  descent  of  this  boat  down  the  river,  Col. 
Thomas  Butler,  of  the  United  States  Army,  issued  orders  to 
the  troops  under  his  command  at  South-West  Point  and  Bell 
Canton,  to  exercise  the  utmost  vigilance,  and  to  fire  upon  and 
sink  it.  It  was  believed  that  the  most  suitable  plan  for  de- 
feating the  expedition,  was  to  allow  it  to  pass  unmolested,  as 
far  as  Bell  Canton.*  There  the  Ilolston  was  narrow,  and 
the  position  otherwise  favourable.  Standing  orders  were  is- 
sued on  the  2nd  November,  1797,  to  the  officer  in  charge  of 
the  battery,  to  “have  his  ordnance  in  perfect  order,  and  the 
implements  judiciously  arranged,  to  prevent  confusion,  when 
it  may  be  necessary  to  man  the  works.”  A look-out  boat  was 
to  be  detached  at  proper  intervals,  to  make  discovery  of  the 
approach  of  Coxe’s  party,  and  signals  were  arranged,  to  pre- 
pare for  the  attack.  Should  any  boat  belonging  to  the  expe- 
dition, approach  within  one  mile  of  tf^e  battery,  the  com- 
mander was  directed  to  fire  one  shot  wide  of  it.  Should  this 
notice  be  disregarded,  he  was  directed  to  fire  on  it,  and,  “if 
possible,  sink  all  boats  that  may  dare  to  pass  your  works.’’ 

At  the  time  of  its  date,  Governor  Sevier  found  it  necessary 
to  address  to  Zachariah  Coxe  the  following  letter  : 

*This  fort  was  above  the  former  residence  of  tlie  late  Major  L:  n i ■,  and  its 
ruins  are  yet  to  be  seen  on  the  farm  heretofore  occupied  by  Colonel  R.  A.  Ram- 
sey, now  of  Georgia. 


PREVENTED  BY  COLONEL  BUTLER. 


G91 


Knoxville,  20th  August,  1*797. 

Since  your  arrival  in  this  State,  various  reports  are  in  circulation,  re- 
specting an  intended  expedition  you  are  about  to  make. 

It  appears  to  be  a matter  of  importance  to  this  Government,  to  be  in- 
formed of  your  intentions  and  place  of  destination.  I flatter  myself 
you  will  have  no  objections  to  communicate,  and  lay  before  the  Execu- 
tive of  this  State,  the  plan  of  your  intended  operations  and  movements; 
at  what  place  you  intend  making  a stand  or  settlement ; and  by  what 
authority  you  conceive  yourselves  at  liberty  to  prosecute  the  same. 

No  answer  to  this  communication  has  been  preserved  in 
the  Executive  Journal.  By  a special  message,  September 
23d,  1797,  the  Governor’s  letter  and  Coxe’s  reply7  were  com- 
municated to  the  legislature,  and  referred  to  a committee, 
who,  on  the  10th  of  October,  reported,  that  from  “the 
papers  they  have  had  before  them,  it  appears  that  no  expe- 
dition of  a hostile  nature,  or  plan  inimical  to  the  Govern- 
ment, is  intended  or  contemplated.” 

The  execution  of  the  Act  of  Congress  of  1796,  heretofore 
mentioned,  had  produced  uneasiness  among  the  people.  The 
legislature  sympathizing  in  that  feeling,  adopted  the  follow- 
ing preamble  and  resolution : 

Whereas,  oflicial  information  has  been  laid  before  the  General  As  - 
sembly of  this  State,  contained  in  an  order  from  Colonel  Butler,  ad- 
dressed to  the  people  who  are  within  the  Indian  boundary,  and,  foras- 
much, as  it  is  conceived,  great  and  irremediable  injury  would  arise, 
should  the  inhabitants  be  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  a compliance  with 
that  mandate,  at  a season  when  their  crops  are  not  fit  for  transportation, 
or  storing  up ; also,  putting  it  entirely  out  of  their  power  to  secure  their 
forage.  These  evils  will  be  rendered  doubly  distressing,  by  the  gloomy 
horrors  of  famine,  which  threaten  to  pervade  a great  part  of  the  country. 

Seeing,  then,  the  favours  of  heaven  have,  in  some  degree,  been  with- 
held, humanity  and  justice  cry  aloud  for  the  legislative  interposition,  in 
behalf  of  those  of  our  fellow-citizens,  with  the  executive  power. 

It  is  therefore  Resolved , That  the  Governor  of  the  State  of  Tennes- 
see be  requested  to  lay  before  the  President  of  the  United  States,  by  the 
earliest  opportunity,  the  true  state  and  condition  of  those  citizens  resi- 
dent within  the  Indian  boundary,  agreeable  to  the  line  lately  run,  set- 
ting forth,  that  their  request  for  the  present  is,  that  the  execution  of  the 
order  to  Colonel  Butler,  for  their  removal,  be  suspended  until  the  next 
session  of  Congress. 

A copy  of  these  was  sent  to  the  Governor,  accompanied 
by  a communication  to  him,  urging  his  official  application  to 
the  President,  to  obtain  a suspension  of  the  order  for  the  re- 
moval of  the  intruders. 


692 


UNITED  STATES  COMMISSIONERS 


Governor  Sevier  found  it  necessary,  to  appease  popular 

g ( clamour  on  the  frontier,  to  give,  through  the  press, 

( the  prospect  of  further  negotiations,  by  the  Federal 
Government,  with  the  Cherokees.  On  this  subject  he  says, 
in  a circular : 

Knoxville,  23d  April,  1798. 

% ^ '/*  '!•  ~ft  -/*  & 

George  Walton,  Alfred  Moore,  and  John  Steele,  Esqs.,  are  appointed 
Commissioners  to  hold  a treaty  with  the  Indians.  Walton  is  from 
Georgia,  Moore  from  North-Carolina,  and  Steele  from  Virginia;  gentle- 
men of  high  respectability,  and  from  their  known  patriotism  and  abili- 
ties, I have  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  interest  of  the  western 
country  will  be  deliberately  and  duly  considered. 

The  Federal  Legislature  has  appropriated  twenty-five  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  eighty  dollars  for  the  purpose  of  the  negotiation — a sum,  I 
hope,  that  will  be  fully  commensurate  and  adequate  to  the  object,  and 
evince  to  our  fellow-citizens  the  good  disposition  of  the  Federal  Execu- 
tive and  Legislature  towards  the  interest  and  welfare  of  this  State,  and 
particularly  in  the  relief  of  our  unhappy  fellow-citizens,  who  have  been 
compelled  to  remove  from  their  homes  and  plantations.  It  is  expected 
the  treaty  will  commence  about  the  middle  of  next  month  ; the  Com- 
missioners have  not,  as  yet,  arrived,  but  are  expected  in  a few  days. 
With  respect  to  the  intended  treaty,  I presume  it  will  be  readily  con- 
ceded that  the  State  of  Tennessee  is  very  much  interested  in  the  event, 
and,  perhaps,  more  so  than  may  happen  in  any  future  period.  On  this 
important  occasion,  it  will  be  particularly  useful  and  beneficial  to  the 
Executive,  to  have  the  aid  and  instructions  of  the  legislature;  but  as 
that  body  cannot,  with  conveniency,  be  convened,  and  it  is  at  all  times 
attended  with  considerable  expense,  and,  at  the  present,  would  be  em- 
barrassing to  the  local  circumstances  of  many  of  the  members,  and  also 
our  public  funds,  the  Executive  will,  therefore,  be  under  the  necessity 
of  resorting  to  such  measures  as  to  him  may  appear  most  likely  to  pro- 
mote the  public  interest,  assuring  his  countrymen  that  nothing  shall  be 
lacking  that  may  tend  and  lead  to  their  present  and  future  advantages, 
so  far  as  he  may  be  enabled  under  existing  circumstances. 

The  boundary  between  the  Cherokees  and  the  whites  had 
not  been  run  and  marked  ; some  of  the  settlers  had  crossed 
what  has  been  known  as  the  experimental  line,  and  to  pre- 
vent further  difficulties,  the  Federal  Government  ordered  a 
removal  of  these  trespassers,  and  proposed  a further  treaty 
of  limits,  &c.  The  Commissioners  appointed  for  that  pur- 
pose, were  George  Walton,  Alfred  Moore  and  John  Steele. 
The  Agent  of  the  United  States,  Silas  Dinsmore,  was  direct- 
ed to  convene  the  Indians  at  the  shortest  notice,  and  the 
commandant  of  the  Federal  troops  in  Tennessee  was  directed 


HOLD  A TREATY  AT  TELLICO. 


693 


to  hold  in  readiness  a detachment  to  cover  and  protect  the 
parties. 

Soon  after  their  arrival  in  Tennessee,  the  Commissioners 
issued  the  following  : 

Bell  Canton,  21st  May,  1*798. 

Sir : — Being  arrived  at  this  place,  with  powers  to  hold  a treaty  with 
the  Cherokee  Indians,  on  behalf  of  the  United  States,  and  being  in- 
formed, by  divers  persons,  since  our  arrival  in  the  State  of  Tennessee, 
that  the  persons  who  were  removed  from  the  settlements  on  the  Indian 
lands,  do  frequently  cross  the  line,  and  cultivate  the  soil,  in  violation  of 
the  law  and  the  orders  to  Colonel  Butler,  and  much  against  the  will 
and  consent  of  the  Indians — we,  therefore,  have  thought  it  our  indis- 
pensable duty  to  interfere,  and  admonish  the  persons  so  trespassing,  of 
the  bad  effects  a perseverance  in  such  conduct  may  produce  ; assuring 
the  people  so  concerned,  that  we  very  sensibly  feel  for  their  condition, 
and  that  we  will  do  everything  in  our  power  for  their  most  speedy  re- 
lief; but,  at  the  same  time,  we  warn  them  that  they,  by  persisting  in 
the  conduct  so  complained  of,  may  put  such  relief  entirely  out  of  our 
power. 

We  wish  you  to  make  this  communication  as  extensively  known  as 
possible,  and  that  you  will  impress  the  importance  of  our  advice  upon 
the  minds  of  the  people  as  much  as  possible. 

We  are,  sir,  your  ob’d’t  serv’ts. 

June  21. — Preparatory  to  the  treaty,  the  Agent  of  the 
United  States,  Mr.  Dinsmore,  was  instructed  to  request  the 
Indians  to  convene  at  such  place  as  he  might  think  most 
convenient  for  them  to  assemble,  and  which,  at  the  same 
time,  would  most  facilitate  the  obtaining  the  necessary  sup- 
plies of  provisions.  With  these  objects  in  view,  he  was 
desired,  by  the  Commissioners,  to  remonstrate  against  meet- 
ing the  Indians  at  Oostinahli,  on  the  14th,  as  they  had  pro- 
posed, and  to  invite  them  to  assemble  at  their  beloved  town, 
Chota,  or  any  other  place  on  the  banks  of  the  Tennessee  con- 
venient for  them.  They  abandoned  the  idea  of  meeting  at 
Oostinahli,  and  determined  to  assemble  at  Tuskeegee,  on  the 
25th.  The  place  of  meeting  was  afterwards  changed  to 
Tellico,  where  they  met  the  Commissioners. 

June  20. — Governor  Sevier  having  named  General  Robert- 
son, James  Stuart  and  Lachlan  McIntosh,  as  Agents  to 
represent  the  interest  of  Tennessee,  at  the  treaty  about  to 
be  held  at  Tellico,  proceeded  to  give  them  minute  instruc- 
tions on  some  points  of  special  importance  to  the  State, 
These  were — 


694 


STATE  AGENTS  APPOINTED  BY  SEVIER, 


1st. — To  obtain  as  wide  an  extinguishment  of  the  Che- 
rokee claim,  north  of  the  Tennessee,  as  was  attainable. 

2d. — An  unimpeded  communication  of  Holston  and  Clinch 
Rivers  with  the  Tennessee,  and  the  surrender  of  the  west 
bank  of  the  Clinch,  opposite  South-West  Point. 

3d. — To  secure  from  future  molestation,  the  settlements 
as  far  as  they  have  progressed  on  the  northern  and  western 
borders  of  the  State,  and  the  connection  of  Hamilton  and 
Mero  Districts,  then  separated  by  a space  of  unextinguished 
hunting  ground,  eighty  miles  wide. 

4th. — To  examine  into  the  nature  and  validity  of  the  claim 
recently  set  up  by  the  Cherokees,  to  lands  north  of  the  Ten- 
nessee River.  Does  it  rest  upon  original  right  ? Is  it  de- 
rived from  treaties  ? Is  it  founded  only  upon  a temporary 
use  or  occupancy  ? 

He  further  advises  that,  acting  as  they  were  with  Com- 
missioners of  the  United  States,  they  might  yield,  for  the  sake 
of  harmony,  everything  but  the  interest  and  dignity  of  Ten- 
nessee. 

The  gentlemen  thus  appointed  and  instructed,  met  July 
2d,  at  Knoxville,  and  having  appointed  John  Smith,  Esq., 
their  Secretary,  and  Joseph  Sevier,  Interpreter,  repaired  to 
the  treaty  ground,  near  Tellico  Block-house.  On  the  seventh, 
they  made  known  to  the  United  States  Commissioners  the 
object  of  their  appointment,  and  theirdesire  of  forwarding,  by 
all  the  means  in  their  power,  the  object  of  the  mission,  and 
“ occasionally  to  state  the  ground  on  which  Tennessee  rests 
her  expectation  of  such  effectual  interference  on  the  part  of 
the  Union,  as  shall  consolidate  her  detached  settlements,  and 
afford  toiler  inhabitants  the  uninterrupted  use  of  streams 
destined  by  nature  for  their  accommodation.” 

Col.  Butler,  the  commandant  of  the  post,  treated  the 
Agents  with  marked  attention,  and  offered  to  convey  them, 
from  time  to  time,  during  their  negotiation,  in  his  barge, 
from  their  place  of  encampment  to  the  Council  House.  The 
Commissioners  informed  them,  “ that  a seat  in  the  Council 
would  be  provided  for  their  accommodation,  but  any  pro- 
posals you  may  have  to  make  or  information  to  give,  will  be 


WHO  ATTEND  AT  THE  TREATY. 


695 


received  by  us,  at  such  time  as  may  be  convenient,  at  this 
place.” 

“ The  Council  opened.  The  Bloody  Fellow  having  pre- 
faced the  subject,  delivered  a paper  which  he  stated  to  con- 
tain their  final  resolutions,  which  were  a peremptory  refusal  to 
sell,  and  an  absolute  denial  to  permit  the  inhabitants  to  re- 
turn to  their  homes.” 

Monday,  July  9. — The  State  Agents  feeling  considerable 
doubt  of  the  favourable  result  of  pending  negotiations,  in 
the  manner  they  had  been  and  were  likely  to  continue  to  be 
conducted,  transmitted  to  the  Commissioners  a communica- 
tion in  writing,  prepared  with  great  care  and  exhibiting 
much  research  and  familiarity  with  all  the  principles  in- 
volved in  the  matter  of  their  agency.  It  covers  eight  closely 
written  pages  of  the  Journal  of  the  Agents  now  before  this 
writer.  It  is  worthy  of  a careful  reading,  and  should  be 
preserved,  but  its  great  length  forbids  its  insertion  on  these 
pages. 

To  this  elaborate  communication,  the  Commissioners  re- 
plied verbally,  that  though  an  able  paper,  much  of  its  con- 
tents was  irrelevant  to  the  subject  of  present  negotiations, 
and  that  it  would  be  their  duty  to  forward  it  to  the  Govern- 
ment. 

The  chiefs  manifesting  the  same  determined  opposition  to 
a relinquishment  of  territory,  the  Agents  of  Tennessee  made 
an  effort  to  secure  from  them  and  the  Commissioners,  leave 
to  the  inhabitants  who  were  beyond  the  experimental 
boundary,  to  harvest  and  remove  the  crops  of  small  grain, 
then  ripe  and  liable  to  injury  and  loss.  The  Commissioners 
considered  thi§  application  to  be  “wholly  without  .the 
objects  of  their  mission.” 

Further  negotiation  was  postponed  untjl  the  ensuing 
fall.  James  Stuart,  Esq.,  having  resigned,  his  place  was 
filled  by  Gen.  James  White,  of  Knoxville,  gnd  the  negotia- 
tions were  resumed  at  Tellico,  on  the  20th  of  September. 
The  commission  to  Gen  White,  is  thus  expressed  on  the  Exe- 
cutive Journal — 

James  White,  Brigadier-General  of  the  District  of  Hamilton,  com- 
missioned as  ^ Agent  on  the  part  of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  with  full 


696 


CHEROKEE  BOUNDARY. 


power  to  attend  the  treaty  which  the  President  of  the  United  States  has 
authorized  to  be  held  with  the  Cherokees,  and  there  to  state  the  obli- 
gations of  the  United  States  to  extinguish  the  Cherokee  claim  to  such 
lands  as  have  been  granted  to  individuals  by  the  State  of  North-Caro- 
lina,  and  in  all  things  to  represent  the  interests  of  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee.” 

The  United  States  Commissioners  were  Col.  Thomas  Butler 
and  George  Walton,  Esq. 

During  the  progress  of  the  treaty,  it  was  found  impracticable 
to  effect  the  primary  objects  had  in  view,  in  the  appointment 
of  the  State  agents.  Gen.  Robertson  failed  to  attend,  and  Mr. 
McIntosh  resigned.  It  became  necessary  for  the  Governor, 
himself,  to  attend.  He  did  so.  The  Commissioners  suc- 
ceeded, at  length,  in  effecting  a treaty.  It  was  signed  by 
Thomas  Butler,  George  Walton,  and  a long  list  of  Cherokee 
chiefs. 

By  this  treaty,  the  boundary  was  stipulated  to  be : Begin- 

g | ning  at  a point  on  the  Tennessee  River,  below  Tellico 
l Block-house,  called  Wildcat  Rock,  in  a directline  to  the 
Militia  Spring,  near  the  Maryville  road  ; from  the  said  spring 
to  the  Chilhowee  Mountain,  by  a line  so  to  be  run,  as  will 
leave  all  the  farms  on  Nine  Mile  Creek  to  the  northward  and 
eastward  of  it ; and  to  be  continued  along  Chilhowee  Moun- 
tain, until  it  strikes  Hawkins’s  line  ; thence  along  the  said 
line,  to  the  great  Iron  Mountain  ; and  from  the  top  of  which,  a 
line  to  be  continued,  in  a south  easterly  course,  to  where  the 
most  southwardly  branch  of  Little  River  crosses  the  divi- 
sional line  to  Tugalo  River.  From  the  place  of  beginning, 
the  Wildcat  Rock,  down  the  north-east  margin  river,  (not 
including  islands,)  to  a point  or  place,  one  mile  above  the 
junction  of  that  river  with  the  Clinch  ; and  from  thence,  by 
a line  to  be  drawn  in  a right  angle,  until  it  intersects  Haw- 
kins’s line,  leading  from  Clinch  ; thence  down  the  said  line 
to  the  River  Clinch  ; thence  up  the  said  river  to  its  junction 
with  Emmery’s  River  ; thence  up  Emmery’s  River  to  the 
foot  of  Cumberland  Mountain;  from  thence  a line  to  be 
drawn  north-eastwardly  along  the  foot  of  the  mountain,, 
until  it  intersects  with  Campbell’s  line.* 


* State  Papers,  vol.  v.,  page  638. 


ORIGINAL  LETTER  FROM  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 


697 


The  treaty  provides  for  the  running  and  marking  of  the 
boundary,  and  the  payment  to  the  Cherokees,  for  this  cession 
of  territory,  of  five  thousand  dollars,  and  an  annuity  of  one 
thousand  dollars. 

The  people  of  Greene  county  participated  in  the  sentiment 
of  the  nation,  in  reference  to  the  difficulties  with  France. 
The  following  proceedings  were  had  : 

At  a meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Greene  county,  held  at 
Greeneviile,  Tenn.,  Colonel  Daniel  Kennedy  was  called  to 
the  chair,  and  George  Duffield  appointed  secretary.  A com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  “ draw  up  and  transmit  to  General 
Washington  an  address,  expressive  of  the  grateful  sensibili- 
ties of  the  people,  at  his  acceptance  of  the  appointment  of 
Lieutenant-General  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Ameri- 
can Armies  at  the  present  eventful  crisis.”  The  committee 
discharged  the  duty  assigned,  and  received  from  General 
Washington  this  reply  : 

To  THE  INHABITANTS  OF  GrEENE  COUNTY,  IN  THE  STATE  OF  TENNESSEE  : 

Gentlemen  : — Having  once  more  engaged  in  the  arduous  duties  of 
public  life,  (after  I had  retired  therefrom,  with  the  most  ardent  wishes  and 
pleasing  hopes,  that  no  circumstances  would  occur  to  call  me  from  my 
peaceful  abode,  during  the  few  remaining  yearn  of  my  life,)  I cannot  be 
insensible  to  the  approbation  of  my  fellow-citizens ; and  while  I thank 
you,  gentlemen,  for  your  warm  and  friendly  address,  permit  me  to  ob- 
serve, that  I can  take  no  merit  to  myself  for  my  personal  sacrifices  I may 

make , in  accepting  the  important  trust  with  which  I have  been 

honoured  ; for  when  the  property  of  our  citizens  has  been  spoiled,  our 
sovereignty  encroached  upon,  our  constituted  authorities  threatened,  can 
that  man  be  deserving  the  appellation  of  an  American  citizen,  who 
would  suffer  any  motives  of  personal  consideration,  to  withhold  his  exer- 
tions at  such  an  eventful  crisis?  It  certainly  appears,  gentlemen,  as  you 
observe,  that  the  mild  and  pacific  policy  of  America  has  been  mistaken 
for  cowardice  and  a base  desertion  of  our  rights.  But  I trust  that  the 
injured  spirit  of  our  country  will  now  be  roused,  and  that  we  shall  show 
to  the  world,  that  we  can  and  will  support  our  rights  and  the  govern- 
ment of  our  choice,  against  all  aggressions,  and  that  we  will  yield  our 
independence  only  with  our  lives.  To  do  this,  requires  a spirit  of  unani- 
mity, which,  I presume,  will  shortly  prevail  in  every  part  of  the  United 
States,  and  that  every  virtuous  citizen  will  see  the  necessity  of  his  exer- 
tions, to  preserve  the  invaluable  blessings  which  we  have  yet  in  our 
power. 

George  Washington. 

Mount  Vernon,  Sept.  8th,  1798. 


698 


SENATORS  AND  REPRESENTATIVES 


Agreeably  to  the  proclamation  of  Governor  Sevier,  the 
second  session  of  the  second  General  Assembly  of  the 
State  of  Tennessee  began  at  Knoxville,  December  3, 


1708 


1798. 


Thomas  Hardeman,  Senator  from  Davidson,  had  resigned, 
and  James  Robertson  was  elected  in  his  place.  William 
Blount  was  elected  Senator  from  Knox,  in  place  of  James 
White,  resigned.  Governor  Blount  was  elected  Speaker  of 
the  Senate ; George  Roulstone,  Clerk  ; and  N.  B.  Bucking- 
ham, Assistant  Clerk. 

Edward  Scott  was  elected  Principal  Clerk,  and  Stephen 
Hurd,  Assistant  Clerk,  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

In  the  message  to  the  Legislature,  transmitted  by  Governor 
Sevier,  he  suggests  an  amendment  of  the  militia  law,  “ at 
this  moment,  when  the  United  States  are  menaced  with 
foreign  aggression  and  also  “ an  appropriation  to  prevent 
deficiency  in  arms  and  ammunition.”  He  calls  attention  to 
the  “ recent  proceeding  of  North-Carolina,  militating  with 
the  Act  of  Cession  and  closing  her  offices,  by  which  that 
State  prevents  the  inhabitants  of  Tennessee  from  perfecting 
their  land  titles.”  He  directs  legislative  attention  to  the 
lands  recently  acquired  from  the  Cherokees,  and  congratu- 
lates the  country  on  the  return  to  their  homes,  of  such  of  the 
citizens  as  had  been  excluded  temporarily  from  their  quiet 
possession. 


SENATORS  AND  REPRESENTATIVES  IN  THE  CONGRESS  OF  THE 
UNITED  STATES  FROM  THE  STATE  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Fourth  Congress — Second  Session — Began  5th  December,  1796,  ended 
3d  March,  1797. 

Senators — William  Cocke, 

William  Blount. 

Representative — Andrew  Jackson. 

Special  Session  of  the  Senate  for  one  day,  being  4th  March,  1797. 

Senator  present — William  Blount. 

Fifth  Congress — First  Session — Began  15th  May,  1797,  ended  10th 
July,  1797. 

Senators — William  Cocke, 

Wm.  Blount,  attended  16  May,  1797.  ) 
Expelled,  8 July,  1797.  j 

(It  does  not  appear  that  any  Representative  from  Tennessee  attended  at 
this  session.) 


IN  CONGRESS  FROM  TENNESSEE. 


G99 


Fifth  Congress — Second  Session — Began  13th  Nov.,  1 '79'7,  ended  16th 
July,  1798. 

Senators — Andrew  Jackson, 

Joseph  Anderson. 

Representative — William  Chas.  Cole  Claibourne. 
Special  Session  of  the  Senate,  began  17th  July,  and  ending  19th  July, 

1798. 

Senator— J osepii  Anderson — (one  seat  vacant.) 
Fifth  Congress — Third  Session — Began  3d  Dec.,  1798,  ended  3d  March, 

1799. 

Senators— Daniel  Smith, 

Joseph  Anderson. 

Representative — William  C.  C.  Claibourne. 

Sixth  Congress — First  Session — Began  2d  December,  1799,  ended  14th 
May,  1800. 

Senators — Joseph  Anderson, 

William  Cocke. 

Representative — William  C.  C.  Claibourne. 

July  8th. — William  Blount,  Senator  from  Tennessee,  was, 
on  this  clay,  expelled  from  his  seat  in  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States.  Three  days  before  that  time,  he  wrote  the 
following  letter  : 

Philadelphia,  July  5th,  ’97. 

In  a few  davs,  you  will  see  published  by  order  of  Congress,  a letter 
said  to  have  been  written  by  me  to  James  Carey.  It  makes  quite  a fuss 
here.  I hope,  however,  the  people  upon  the  Western  waters,  will  see 
nothing  but  good  in  it,  for  so  I intended  it,  especially  for  Tennessee. 

The  letter  to  Carey  became  the  platform  of  proceedings 
against  Senator  Blount.  The  Sergeant-at-arms  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  Senate,  James  Matthers,  soon  after  repaired  to 
Knoxville,  with  the  purpose  of  arresting  the  ex-senator,  and 
of  taking  him  in  custody,  to  the  seat  of  Government.  After 
the  service  of  process  upon  Blount,  the  Sergeant-at-arms 
found  it  impossible  to  execute  that  part  of  his  official  duty, 
which  required  him  to  take  the  accused  to  Philadelphia.  He 
refused  to  go.  Matthers  was  treated  by  the  citizens  of  Knox- 
ville with  marked  attention  and  civility.  He  became,  for 
several  days,  the  guest  of  Governor  Blount,  and  was  hospita- 
bly entertained  by  the  State  authorities.  After  some  days, 
wishing  to  return  with  his  prisoner  to  Philadelphia,  he  sum- 
moned a posse  to  his  assistance.  But  not  a man  could  be 
found  willing  to  accompany  him.  Whatever  foundation 
there  may  have  been  for  the  impeachment  of  William 
Blount,  and  whatever  truth  there  may  have  been  in  the 


700 


BLOUNT  S IMPEACHMENT, 


charge  preferred  against  him.  there  was  no  one  in  Tennessee 
who  viewed  his  conduct  as  criminal,  unpatriotic,  or  un- 
friendly to  the  true  interests  of  the  State,  or  the  West ; and 
all  refused  to  sanction  the  proceedings  against  him.  The  in- 
fluence of  the  Marshal  of  the  District  was  either  withheld, 
or  was  impotent  amongst  the  countrymen  of  Blount.  The 
Sergeant-at-arms,  convinced  of  the  fruitlessness  of  further 
attempt,  to  execute  one  part  of  his  mission,  started  home- 
ward. Some  of  the  citizens  accompanied  him  a few  miles 
from  town,  where,  assuring  him  that  William  Blount  could 
not  be  taken  from  Tennessee  as  a prisoner,  bade  him  a po- 
lite adieu. 

Next  to  Sevier,  Blount  was  the  most  popular  man  in  Ten- 
nessee. He  had  been  identified  with  her  people  from  the 
earliest  settlement  of  the  country,  and  his  public  services 
had  been  particularly  advantageous  to  their  interests,  and 
had  secured  their  approbation,  and  were  rewarded  by  their 
esteem  and  their  gratitude.  Whatever  may  have  been  pub- 
lic sentiment  elsewhere,  at  home  he  never  lost  the  confidence, 
nor  forfeited  the  good  opinion  of  his  countrymen.  An  op- 
portunity occurred,  soon  after  the  impeachment  of  Mr. 
Blount,  in  which  the  people  of  Knox  county  and  the  Senate 
of  Tennessee  demonstrated  their  appreciation  of  his  fidelity  to 
their  interest,  and  of  his  capacity  to  serve  them.  General 
James  White,  the  Senator  from  Knox  county,  sympathizing 
in  the  general  feeling,  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Senate  of 
Tennessee.  With  this  resignation,  the  Speaker’s  chair,  to 
which  he  had  been  elected,  became  also  vacant.  The  voters 
of  Knox  county  seized  the  opportunity,  and  elected  William 
Blount  their  Senator  ; and  upon  its  meeting  at  the  called 
session  of  Dec.  3,  1797,  the  Senate  unanimously  elected 
him  its  Speaker.  And  it  is  a circumstance  somewhat  re- 
markable, that  while  that  body  was  acting  as  a Court  of  Im- 
peachment, of  which  Speaker  Blount  was  the  President,  the 
United  States  Senate  was,  at  the  same  time,  engaged  in  try- 
ing the  impeachment  against  him. 

In  the  meantime,  the  trial  of  Mr.  Blount  progressed. 

“Monday,  Dec.  17,  1798. 

“The  process  issued  on  the  first  day  of  March  last,  against  William 
Blount,  together  with  the  return  made  thereon,  were  read.” 


AND  HIS  ACQUITTAL. 


701 


The  Articles  of  Impeachment,  in  substance,  charged  that 
William  Blount  did  conspire  to  set  on  foot  a military  hos- 
tile expedition  against  the  territory  of  his  Catholic  Majesty 
in  the  Floridas  and  Louisiana,  for  the  purpose  of  wresting 
them  from  his  Catholic  Majesty,  and  of  conquering  the  same 
for  the  King  of  Great  Britain.  “ William  Blount  did  not 
appear.”  Tuesday,  Dec.  18,  1798. — Jared  Ingersoll  and  A.  J. 
Dallas  asked  and  obtained  leave  to  appear  as  Counsel  for  Wil- 
liam Blount,  and  on  the  24th,  filed  their  plea,  objecting  to  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  Court,  as  William  Blount  was  not  now  a 
Senator  of  the  United  States,  and  because,  by  the  eighth  ar- 
ticle of  the  Constitution,  it  is  declared  and  provided  “ that 
in  all  criminal  prosecutions,  the  accused  shall  enjoy  the  right 
to  a speedy  and  public  trial  by  an  impartial  jury  of  the  State 
or  District  wherein  the  crime  shall  have  been  committed,” 
&c.,  &c. 

January  3,  1799. — Mr.  Bayard,  in  behalf  of  the  managers, 
filed  a replication.  To  this  Mr.  Ingersoll  filed  a rejoinder. 

January  10. — Court  proceeded  in  the  debate  on  the  mo- 
tion, “That  William  Blount  was  a civil  officer  of  the  United 
States  within  the  meaning  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States,  and,  therefore,  liable  to  be  impeached  by  the  House 
of  Representatives,  and  that  as  the  Articles  of  Impeach- 
ment charge  him  with  high  crimes  and  misdemeanours,  sup- 
posed to  have  been  committed  while  a Senator  of  the  United 
States,  his  plea  ought  to  be  overruled.”  It  was  determined 
in  the  negative.  Yeas,  11  ; Nays,  14. 

January  14,  1799. — Judgment  was  pronounced  by  the  Vice 
1799  i President,  that  “ The  Court  is  of  opinion  that  the 
l matter  alleged  in  the  plea  of  the  defendant,  is  suffi- 
cient, in  law,  to  show  that  this  Court  ought  not  to  hold 
jurisdiction  of  the  said  impeachment,  and  that  the  said  im- 
peachment be  dismissed.” 

The  failure  to  sustain  the  prosecution  against  Mr.  Blount, 
and  his  elevation  by  his  fellow-citizens  and  the  Senate  of 
Tennessee  to  the  dignified  position  assigned  him  after  his 
impeachment,  testify  sufficiently,  that  in  their  judgment,  he 
had  perpetrated  no  wrong — inflicted  no  injury,  and  purposed 


702 


VINDICATION  OF  BLOUNT 


no  evil — especially  against  his  own  State.  Had  he  lived 
longer,  that  State  would  still  have  confided  in  and  rewarded 
him  further.  His  services  and  his  abilities  were  never 
more  highly  appreciated  than  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  soon  afterwards,  at  Knoxville,  March  21,  1800,  in 
the  53d  year  of  his  age.  The  several  offices  he  had  held, 
have  been  enumerated  elsewhere  in  these  Annals,  and  need 
not  be  here  repeated.  In  all  of  them  he  had  acquitted  him- 
self with  signal  ability,  zeal  and  faithfulness.  “He  mortuis 
nil  nisi  bonum .”  If  he  erred  in  the  whole  course  of  a pa- 
triotic life,  let  the  error  be  ascribed  to  an  overwrought  devo- 
tion to  North-Carolina  and  to  Tennessee.  To  the  special 
interests  of  the  mother  and  the  daughter  he  devoted  his  life, 
his  energies  and  his  character.  In  the  latter,  especially,  his 
memory  is  still  revered,  and  the  name  of  Blount  is  gratefully 
remembered,  even  at  the  present  day.  Here,  he  was  never 
censured  for  the  conduct  which  was  made  the  occasion  of 
the  Senate’s  proceedings  against  him  ; and  his  friends,  con- 
scious of  his  good  intentions,  never  found  it  necessary  to 
make  a public  vindication  of  his  conduct.  There  is,  how- 
ever, in  the  hands  of  this  Annalist,  a vindication  of  William 
Blount,  made  in  1835,  by  Willie  Blount,  his  younger  brother, 
who  was  associated  with  him  in  most  of  the  transactions  of 
his  public  and  private  life,  and  who  succeeded  him  in  the 
administration  of  the  duties  of  Governor  of  Tennessee  for 
many  years.  His  character  for  candour,  truth  and  impar- 
tiality, will  be  nowhere  questioned,  and  the  position  of  no 
one  could  have  been  more  favourable  for  the  ascertainment 
of  all  the  facts  he  mentions,  or  the  purposes  to  which  he 
alludes,  in  the  vindication  of  William  Blount.  It  is  addressed 
to  Richard  B.  Blount,  and  the  other  orphan  children  and  the 
relatives  of  the  deceased.  This  document  covers  several 
closely  written  sheets,  and,  on  account  of  its  length,  cannot 
be  here  given. 

This  vindication  was  never  necessary  for  the  good  name 
of  the  subject  of  it  in  Tennessee.  Had  he  lived  longer, 
other  positions  would  have  been  assigned  him  in  the  public 
service;  but  he  was  cut  ofF  in  the  prime  of  life.  A plain 
marble  slab  covers  his  remains,  and  points  out  his  grave, 


DECEASE  OF  GOVERNOR  BLOUNT. 


703 


near  the  entrance  of  the  burying-ground  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Knoxville.  upon  which  there  is  only  the 
simple  inscription  : “William  Blount,  died  March  21,  1800, 
aged  53  years.”* 

During  an  early  period  of  Governor  Sevier’s  administra- 
tion, he  was  mainly  instrumental  in  procuring  the  passageof 
an  Act  by  Congress  compromising  the  land  interest,  or  Ten- 
nessee claim  to  her  soil,  by  securing  the  appropriation  of  two 
hundred  thousand  acres  north  and  east  of  the  Congressional 
reservation  line,  for  the  use  of  two  colleges  ; and  also,  fur- 
ther appropriations  for  county  academies  and  common 
schools,  f 

His  administration  was  also  signalized  by  efforts  to  con- 
nect Tennessee  with  her  sister  States,  viz  : through  the  Che- 
rokee nation,  from  Tellico  Block-house  to  Georgia;  also, 
from  Winchester  to  Georgia,  by  Lowry’s  Ferry  ; and  still 
another,  leading  from  Nashville  to  Natchez,  through  the 
Chickasaw  and  Choctaw  country. 

On  the  last  day  of  the  called  session  of  1798,  viz  : January 
5th,  1799,  the  presiding  officers  of  the  two  Houses  thus  ad- 
dressed the  Governor : 

To  John  Sevier,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Tennessee: 

The  communication  you  have  thought  proper  to  make  to  both  Houses 
of  the  General  Assembly,  at  the  commencement,  and  during  the  present 
session,  afford  additional  proofs  of  the  care  which  hath  always  marked 
your  official  character,  since  the  first  appointment  to  your  present  station. 

In  the  course  of  the  present  session,  the  Legislature  have  taken  into 
consideration,  the  object  of  your  several  communications,  and  acted  upon 
the  same  consistent  with  the  exigency. 

The  General  Assembly,  having  finished  the  business  before  them,  pro- 
pose to  adjourn  this  evening,  without  day. 

James  Stuart,  S.  H.  R. 

Wm.  Blount,  S.  S. 

*For  some  of  these  details,  the  writer  acknowledges  himself  indebted  to  the  last 
survivor  of  the  pioneers  of  Knoxville,  James  Park,  Esq.,  of  that  city,  who,  at  an 
advanced  age  of  a life  of  piety,  usefulness  and  public  spirit,  has  kindly  contribu- 
ted, from  the  rich  stores  of  a well-informed  mind  and  tenacious  memory,  his  recol- 
lections of  the  past. 

He  is,  also,  in  like  manner  indebted  for  letters  from  Hugh  Dunlap,  Esq.,  de- 
ceased, late  of  Paris,  Tenn.,  who  assisted  in  laying  the  foundation  of  Knoxville, 
and  of  civilization  in  Tennessee,  from  its  eastern  to  its  western  section  He  was 
the  ancestor  of  the  family  of  that  name,  already  distinguished  in  their  native  State, 
and  in  Mississippi  and  Texas. 
fBlount  Papers. 


704 


MEETING  OF  THE  TENNESSEE  LEGISLATURE. 


Elections  were  held  agreeably  to  law,  and  resulted  again 
in  the  election  of  John  Sevier  as  Governor  of  Tennessee,  and 
W.  C.  C.  Claibourne,  Representative  to  Congress. 

Sept.  16. — The  first  session  of  the  third  General  Assembly, 
met  at  Knoxville  on  Monday,  the  sixteenth  day  of  Septem- 
ber, 1799,  when  Alexander  Outlaw  was  elected  Speaker  of 
the  Senate,  and  John  Kennedy,  principal  Clerk. 

William  Dickson  was  elected  Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  and  Edward  Scott,  Clerk. 

Members  of  the  Senate. 

Blount  and  Sevier  counties — Samuel  Glass. 

Cocke  and  Jefferson. — Alexander  Outlaw. 

Carter  and  Washington. — David  Deaderick. 

Davidson. — Joel  Lewis  and  Robert  Weakly. 

Grainger.- — John  Cocke. 

Greene. — Samuel  Frazier. 

Hawkins. — George  Maxwell. 

Knox. — John  Crawford. 

Montgomery  and  Robertson. — James  Norfleet. 

Sullivan. — George  Rutledge. 

Sumner. — Sampson  Williams. 

Members  of  House  of  Representatives. 

Blount. — James  Scott. 

Carter. — Samuel  Williams. 

Cocke. — William  Lillard. 

Davidson. — Wm.  DicksoD,  Geo.  Deaderick  andWm.  Nealy. 
Grainger. — Major  Lea  and  Elijah  Chishum. 

Greene. — John  Gass. 

Hawkins. — William  Hord. 

Jefferson. — George  Doherty. 

Knox.— John  Menifee  and  John  Sawyers. 

Montgomery. — William  Bell. 

Robertson. — John  Young. 

Sumner. — Wm.  Hall,  Isaac  Walker  and  Wm.  Montgomery. 

Sevier. — Spencer  Clack. 

Sullivan. — John  Scott  and  Richard  Gammon. 

Washington. — Leeroy  Taylor  and  John  Sevier,  Jun. 

GOVERNOR’S  MESSAGE. 

Mr.  Speaker , and  Gentlemen  of  the  Senate , and  Gentlemen  of  the 
House  of  Representatives: 

It  is  with  peculiar  satisfaction  I have  the  honour,  this  day,  of  meeting 
your  august  body  in  this  House,  where  I have  the  pleasure  of  informing 
you  the  State  is  blessed  with  peace  and  quietude — the  fields  of  the 
husbandman  abundantly  supplied  with  the  fruits  of  the  earth — our 


GOVERNOR  SEVIER’S  MESSAGE  TO  LEGISLATURE. 


705 


harvests  have  yielded  to  the  labourer  ample  satisfaction  for  his  toils, 
and  the  other  crops  of  grain  are  equally  proportionate. 

The  iavvs  and  regular  decorum,  so  far  as  come  within  my  knowledge, 

I have  reason  to  believe,  are  duly  observed  and  supported  throughout  the 
government.  Emigration  and  population  are  daily  increasing,  and  I 
have  no  doubt,  under  the  propitious  hand  of  Providence,  your  patron- 
age, the  wise  and  wholesome  laws  you,  in  your  wisdom,  may  think  pro- 
per to  enact,  that  our  State  will  become  more  and  more  respectable  and 
conspicuous,  and  the  citizens  enjoy  all  that  happiness  and  comfort  this 
human  life,  in  an  ordinary  course,  will  afford  them.  The  poor  and  dis- 
tressed claim  the  first  share  of  your  deliberations,  and  I have  not 
the  smallest  doubt  your  attention  will  be  duly  directed  to  that,  and 
every  other  object  worthy  of  legislative  consideration.  Among  other 
things,  gentlemeu,  permit  me  again  to  remind  you,  that  the  landed  es- 
tates of  your  constituents,  in  general,  appear  to  be  verging  on  to  a very 
precarious  and  doubtful  situation,  and  should  a timely  interference  be 
neglected,  it  may  become  a subject  of  very  great  regret.  I,  therefore, 
beg  leave  to  recommend,  so  far  as  may  be  consistent  with  the  cession 
act,  public  and  good  faith,  that  you  provide,  in  the  most  ample  man- 
ner, for  the  security  and  peaceful  enjoyment  of  all  such  property  as 
may  appear  to  be  in  jeopardy. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Senate , and  Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives : 

I now  proceed  to  enjoin  on  you  the  great  necessity  of  promoting  and 
encouraging  manufactories,  the  establishing  ware-houses  and  inspections 
of  various  kinds.  It  will  give  a spring  to  industry  and  enable  the  agri- 
cultural part  of  the  community  to  export  and  dispose  of  all  the  surplus 
part  of  their  bulky  and  heavy  articles.  Providence  has  blessed  this 
State  with  a soil  peculiarly  calculated  for  the  production  of  wheat,  hemp, 
flax,  cotton,  tobacco  and  indigo ; it  abounds  with  ores  and  minerals,  and 
has  navigable  rivers,  amply  sufficient  to  enable  us  to  export  to  the  best 
of  markets.  This  being  the  case,  gentlemen,  you  may  readily  conceive 
how  essentially  necessary  it  will  be  for  the  encouraging  and  promoting 
of  all  the  advantages  enumerated,  for  you  to  lend  your  early  legisla- 
tive aid  and  patronage.  With  respect  to  the  affairs  of  Europe,  I am 
not  able  to  give  you  much  satisfactory  information.  The  public  prints 
seem  to  furnish  contradictory  accounts,  but  so  far  as  I am  capable  of 
judging,  our  affairs  with  France  assume  a less  threatening  aspect  than 
heretofore,  and  I have  the  fullest  confidence  that  the  Executive  of  the 
General  Government  will  use  the  greatest  and  wisest  exertions  to  pro- 
mote and  secure  the  peace,  safety  and  dignity  of  the  United  States. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Senate,  and  Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives : 

I am  deeply  and  sensibly  impressed  with  the  honour  conferred  on  me 
by  my  fellow  citizens,  in  being  elected  a third  time,  to  preside  as  the 
Chief  Magistrate  of  the  State.  I earnestly  wish  I possessed  greater 
abilities  and  talents  to  enable  me  to  discharge  the  important  duties, 
trust  and  confidence  they  have  reposed ; but  rest  assured,  so  far  as  I am 
45 


706 


SMITH  COUNTY  LAID  OFF. 


enabled,  nothing  will  be  lacking  or  neglected  in  me,  that  will  tend  to- 
wards the  interest,  welfare  and  safety  of  the  State.  Before  I close  this 
address,  1 cannot  forbear  requesting  a harmony  of  measures  in  your 
councils,  and  that  you  unite  in  endeavouring  to  promote  our  dearest 
rights  and  interests,  and  I have  the  fullest  hope  that,  by  your  wisdom 
and  policy,  you  may  secure  to  our  country  the  advantages  and  respect 
to  which  it  is  entitled  and  has  a right  to  enjoy. 

(Signed)  John  Seviek. 

September  19th,  1799. 

As  was  the  custom  of  the  day,  the  Speakers  of  the  two 
Houses  made  a suitable  response  to  the  Governor’s  message. 
It  is  here  inserted  : 

To  his  Excellency,  John  Sevier,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Tennessee. 

Sir : — It  is  with  peculiar  satisfaction  the  Senate  and  House  of  Re- 
presentatives  received  your  communication  announcing  to  them  that 
our  State  is  crowned  with  the  blessings  of  peace  and  quietude ; that  the 
toils  of  the  husbandman  are  amply  rewarded  with  abundant  crops  ; that 
the  laws,  throughout  the  State,  are  well  and  duly  executed ; that  emi- 
gration and  population  are  daily  increasing  ; and  we  beg  leave  now  to 
assure  you  that,  under  the  directing  hand  of  the  All-seeing  Providence, 
nothing,  on  our  part,  shall  be  wanting  to  increase  the  respectability  of 
our  rising  State,  and  promote  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  our  constitu- 
ents. 

Receive,  sir,  our  assurances  that  the  matters  and  things  contained  in 
your  communications,  and  recommended  to  us  as  objects  of  legisla- 
tive attention,  shall  meet  with  that  due  investigation  and  deliberation 
that  the  importance  of  the  different  subjects  requires. 

We  beg  leave,  now,  sir,  to  express  our  gratification  of  being  the  wit- 
nesses of  your  being  once  more  called,  by  the  unanimous  suffrage  of 
the  freemen  of  Tennessee,  to  the  seat  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the 
State,  and  expressing  our  public  confidence  that  you  will  continue  to 
execute  those  duties,  which  appertain  to  your  office,  with  that  firmness, 
judgment  and  impartiality  which  have  heretofore  characterized  the  Chief 
Magistrate  of  Tennessee. 

A.  E.  Outlaw,  S.  S. 

Wm.  Dickson,  Jun.,  S.  H.  R. 

Oct.  26. — The  county  of  Sumner  was  reduced  to  its  con- 
stitutional limits,  and  a new  county,  by  the  name  of  Smith, 
established.  Its  first  Court  was  held  at  the  house  of  Major 
Til  man  Dixon.  Smith  county  was  called  for  General  Da- 
niel Smith,  who  who  was  a native  of  Virginia,  and  was 
appointed,  by  Governor  Jefferson,  a Commissioner  to  run 
the  dividing  line  between  that  State  and  North-Carolina.  In 
the  execution  of  this  duty,  he  saw  the  beautiful  country  in 
the  West,  and  soon  afterwards  removed  to  what  is  now 


WILSON  AND  WILLIAMSON  COUNTIES  LAID  OFF. 


707 


Sumner  county,  whose  people  he  represented  in  the  North- 
Carolina  Legislature,  and  in  the  Convention  which  ratified 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  He  became  Secretary 
of  the  Territory  and  a member  of  the  Convention  of  1796. 
He  was  afterwards  elected  one  of  the  Senators  from  Ten- 
nessee. General  Smith  was  a practical  surveyor  of  lands, 
whose  works  never  needed  correction.  For  intelligence,, 
well-cultivated  talents,  for  integrity  and  usefulness,  in  sound- 
ness of  judgment,  in  the  practice  of  virtue  and  in  shunning 
vice,  he  was  equalled  by  few  ; and  in  purity  of  motive,  ex- 
celled by  none.* 

Another  new  county  was,  at  the  same  time,  established. 
It  was  called  Wilson,  after  Major  David  Wilson,  a native  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  emigrated  to  Sumner  county,  then  North- 
Carolina.  Here  he  was  chosen  a member  of  the  Territorial 
Assembly,  and,  subsequently,  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Re- 
presentatives. He  was  an  active  and  valuable  officer  in  the 
Revolutionary  war,  and,  for  his  services,  the  State  of  North- 
Carolina,  by  a special  act  of  her  Legislature,  presented  him 
with  a tract  of  valuable  land  within  the  limits  of  the  State  of 
Tennessee.  He  was  an  honest  and  highly  meritorious  citizen. 

The  first  Court  of  Wilson  county  was  held  at  the  house  of 
Captain  John  Harpole.  First  magistrates  were — Charles 
Cavenaugh,  John  Allcom,  John  Lancaster,  Elmore  Douglass, 
John  Doak,  Matthew  Figuns,  Henry  Ross,  Wm.  Gray,  An- 
drew Donelson  and  Wm.  McLain. f 

Robert  Foster  was  elected  clerk  : Charles  Cavenaugh, 
chairman  ; Charles  Rosborough,  sheriff ; Wm.  Gray,  ranger  ; 
John  Allcom,  Register;  B.  Seawell,  Esquire,  was  appointed 
county  solicitor. 

Oct.  26. — The  southern  part  of  Davidson  county  was 
formed  into  a new  county. 

The  new  county  was  named  Williamson.  John  Johnson, 
Sen.,  Daniel  Perkins,  James  Buford,  William  Edmonson  and 
Captain  James  Scurlock,  were  the  Commissioners  to  lay  off 

* Blount  Papers. 

f Afterwards  elected  Clerk,  which  office  he  held  for  many  years,  His  son,  J. 
S.  McLain,  afterwards  was  elected,  and  still  continues  Clerk  of  Wilson  county — 
1852. 


708 


SONS  OF  TENNESSEE  IN  OTHER  STATES. 


and  erect  public  buildings  in  the  county  seat.  The  first 
Court  was  held  at  Franklin.  Williamson  county  was  de- 
clared to  be  part  of  Mero  District. 

Caption  of  the  principal  Acts  passed  by  the  Legislature  of 
Tennessee,  at  its  session  commencing  September  16,  1799. 

1.  An  act  increasing  the  jurisdiction  of  Justices  of  the  Peace. 

S.  To  suppress  excessive  gaming. 

9.  To  prevent  the  wilful  or  malicious  killing  of  slaves. 

10.  Making  provision  for  opening  a road  from  Hamilton  to  Mero 
District  across  Cumberland  Mountain,  through  the  lands  of  the  Chero- 
kee Indians,  as  stipulated  by  the  Treaty  of  Holston. 

26.  Establishing  Kingston,  near  South-West  Point,  in  Knox  county, 
under  the  direction  of  David  Miller,  Alexander  Carmichael,  George 
Preston,  John  Smith,  Wm.  L.  Lovely,  Merriweather  Smith  and  Thomas 
N.  Clark. 

33.  Establishing  the  town  of  Franklin.  Abraham  Maury,  John  Wal- 
thral,  Joseph  Porter,  Wm.  Boyd  and  David  McEwen,  are  appointed 
Commissioners. 

34.  Authorizing  John  McNairy,  Joseph  Coleman,  Robert  Searcy, 
Joseph  Philips  and  David  McGavock,  to  contract  for  building  a stone 
Court  House  in  Nashville. 

36.  Establishing  Haysborough,  in  Davidson  county. 

38.  Establishing  Dandridge,  in  Jefferson  county. 

46.  Making  provision  for  electing  Electors  of  President  and  Vice- 
President  of  the  United  States. 

“ That  the  said  Electors  may  be  elected  with  as  little 
trouble  to  the  citizens  as  possible,”  the  Legislature  again 
selected  three  citizens  in  each  of  the  counties  of  the  three 
Districts  of  Washington,  Hamilton  and  Mero,  whose  duty  it 
was  to  meet  at  Jonesboro’,  Knoxville  and  Nashville  respec- 
tively, and  elect  one  Elector  for  each  District.  These  three 
Electors  were  then  to  meet  at  Knoxville,  and  “ elect  a Presi- 
dent and  Vice-President  of  the  United  States.” 

Besides  the  distinguished  sons  of  Tennessee  referred  to  in 
these  pages,  and  others  still  surviving,  these  Annals  could  have 
mentioned  many  others  who  have  gone  abroad,  and  acquired 
elsewhere  fame  and  character — as  her  Holt’s  in  Georgia  ; Mc- 
Clung,  and  Clay  and  Parsons  of  Alabama  ; Barton,  W.  E. 
Anderson,  Lea  and  Dunlap  of  Mississippi  ; Claiborne  and 
Gaines  of  Louisiana ; Houston,  Crocket  and  Dunlap  of 
Texas  ; Sevier  of  Arkansas  ; Burnett  of  California  ; Barton, 
Gallaher  and  King  of  Missouri ; Tipton  of  Indiana,  and 


GOVERNOR  SEVIER’S  COURT. 


709 


Reynolds  of  Illinois.  The  list  could  be  much  enlarged,  but 
the  limits  of  this  volume  will  not  allow  the  writer  to  in- 
dulge himself  in  that  grateful  duty. 

Sevier’s  Court. 

The  laws  of  Tennessee  required  the  Governor  of  the  State 
to  reside  in  Knoxville.  In  compliance  with  this  requirement, 
Governor  Sevier  kept  the  Executive  office  at  that  place,  but 
had  his  domicil  in  the  country,  a few  miles  from  the  capital. 
To  this  he  was  driven,  not  less  by  necessity  than  his  own 
taste,  for  rural  quiet  and  the  unrestrained  habits,  which 
use  had  imposed  upon  him  in  his  intercourse  with  men. 

After  the  organization  of  the  State  Government,  the 
aspect  of  affairs  at  the  capital  underwent  a change.  There 
was  no  longer  the  source  of  power  and  patronage.  These 
were  no  longer  lodged  in  one  individual,  but  were  thrown 
broad-cast  over  the  whole  State,  and  were  confided  to  the 
people  themselves.  The  same  court  was,  of  course,  not  paid 
to  Governor  Sevier,  that  had  been  usually  offered  to  his  pre- 
decessor. There  was  discernible,  too,  less  of  courtly  usage, 
and  less  deference  to  magisterial  dignity  and  patronage.  Se- 
vier was,  however,  equally  cordial,  hospitable  and  generous. 
His  private  fortune  was  small.  Like  Clarke,  Boon,  and 
other  pioneers,  his  public  services  had  not  been  requited  with 
pecuniary  compensation.  He  was,  indeed,  a poor  man. 
The  inadequacy  of  his  salary,  forced  him  to  adopt  the  most 
frugal  and  inexpensive  habits.  His  attire  was  plain,  but 
neat — his  household  limited,  and  his  dwelling  most  simple, 
primitive  and  unpretending  ; but  even  when  thus  restricted 
by  the  iron  hand  of  poverty,  his  heart  was  generous  and  his 
feelings  liberal.  With  less  of  the  display  of  hospitality,  with 
perhaps  a smaller  appreciation  of  some  of  its  manifestations 
than  Gov.  Blount  had  shewn,  the  Governor  of  the  State  of 
Tennessee  strove  hard,  for  a time,  to  maintain  the  conse- 
quence of  the  Executive  office,  and  at  least  not  to  allow  it  to 
fall  beneath  that  of  the  Territorial  administration.  The 
effort  was  unavailing.  His  official  duties  he  discharged, 
according  to  law,  in  town  ; those  of  the  citizen  and  gen- 
tleman, were  transferred  to  his  home  in  the  countr}\  The 
civilities  due  to  all  from  the  Governor,  were  dispensed  at 


710 


sev/er’s  country  residence. 


his  plain  residence,  south  of  the  river,  on  a plantation  still 
known  as  the  “ Governor’s  Old  Place,”  and  now  occupied  by 
Mr.  George  Kirby. 

Upon  the  great  road  leading  from  Knoxville,  the  first 
Capital  of  Tennessee,  and  still  the  metropolis  of  the  Eastern 
section  of  that  State,  and  connecting  it  with  Sevierville, 
Newell’s  and  McGaughey’s  Stations,  may  be  seen,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  five  miles  from  the  former  place,  the  ruins  of  an  old 
station,  now  in  a deserted  and  worn-out  field.  In  early 
times  it  had  given  protection  to  several  families  adjacent  to 
it.  Before  Knoxville  was  laid  off,  this  station  was  a frontier 
post,  which  was  reached  by  emigrants  passing  the  trace 
from  the  mouth  of  French  Broad  to  the  lower  settlements 
on  Nine  Mile  and  Pistol  Creek.  Near  that  trace,  and  after 
it  crossed  Bay’s  Mountain,  at  the  foot  of  one  of  its  rugged 
spurs,  gushed  forth  a beautiful  spring,  surrounded  by  a hilly 
and  rocky  country.  In  this  secluded  spot  stood  the  cabin  of 
Governor  Sevier.  He  enlarged  the  building,  and  made  it,  if 
not  commodious  and  elegant,  convenient  and  comfortable. 

Here  he  received  his  guests  in  the  olden  style  of  primitive 
hospitality  and  backwoods  etiquette.  His  house  was  always 
open,  and  not  unfrequently  crowded  with  his  old  soldiers 
and  comrades  in  arms.  A wandering  pilgrim  from  Natchez 
or  the  Missouri,  or  his  countrymen  from  Cumberland  or  else- 
where, passing  anywhere  through  the  country,  would  find 
out  the  abode  of  their  old  captain,  and  was  sure  there  to  re- 
ceive an  old-fashioned  welcome.  Amongst  his  visitors 
were  some  of  the  Cherokee  chiefs,  with  whom  he  recounted 
past  success  to  one,  and  defeat  and  disaster  to  the  other.  In 
his  neighbourhood  were  his  compatriots,  White,  Gillespie, 
Jack,  Cozby  and  Ramsey,  all  of  them  once  officers  of  Franklin, 
members  and  officers  now  of  a well-regulated  government, 
and  of  their  mother  church. 

It  is  not  true,  as  has  been  sometimes  asserted,  that  Gov- 
Sevier  was  an  Elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  It  was  far 
otherwise.  Fie  was  a member  of  no  church.  With  his  fa- 
mily, he  attended  public  worship  at  Lebanon,  four  and  a half 
miles  east  of  Knoxville,  then  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Garrick,  where  he  was  a constant  and  respectful 


CHARACTER  OF  SEVIER. 


711 


hearer.  On  these  occasions,  he  doffed  the  soldier  and  com- 
mander— his  hunting  shirt  and  his  sword — wearing  only  his 
three-corned  cocked  hat,  with  citizen’s  clothes.  He  greeted 
his  old  friends  with  his  accustomed  cordiality.  In  the  church, 
his  demeanour  was  grave  and  reverential.  He  always  oc- 
cupied the  pew  of  his  well-tried  and  trusty  friend,  Doctor 
Cozby.  This  pew,  in  all  its  antique  model  and  proportions, 
is  still  preserved,  and  can  be  seen  on  the  left  of  the  principal 
aisle,  near  the  front  entrance  of  the  present  old  stone  build- 
ing. While  at  church,  Sevier  exhibited  the  well-bred  Wil- 
liamsburg gentleman,  rather  than  the  pioneer  citizen.  But 
his  demeanour,  though  characterized' by  the  greatest  propri- 
ety and  gravity,  was  never  understood  to  imply  any  personal 
interest  in  religious  truth.  Sevier’s  “ethics  did  not  run  in 
that  line.”  Gallio-like,  “ he  cared  for  none  of  these  things.’’ 
He  was  too  conscientious  to  appear  to  be  what  he  was  not. 
This  was  not  only  the  purest  day  of  the  republic,  but  the 
soundest  period  of  the  church.  The  conscience  of  the  indi- 
vidual would  have  been  outraged  by,  and  revolted  at,  a false 
profession,  and  public  sentiment,  far  from  tolerating,  admin- 
istered its  severest  rebuke  of  unworthy  membership  in  any 
communion. 

John  Sevier. 

The  Annals  of  Tennessee,  after  the  period  to  which  this 
volume  extends,  will  abound  with  further  incidents  in  the 
public  service  of  Governor  Sevier.  But  it  may  not  be 
deemed  out  of  place  to  say  here,  that  it  was  his  destiny  to 
wear  out  his  life  in  that  service.  After  his  first  series  of  six 
years  as  Governor  had  rendered  him  ineligible,  he  remained 
in  private  life  two  years.  Becoming  again  eligible,  he  was 
biennially  elected  to  the  Gubernatorial  Chair  for  another  se- 
ries of  six  years.  He  was  then  (1811)  elected  to  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States  from  the  Knoxville  District,  and 
re-elected  to  the  same  place  in  the  succeeding  Congress 
(1813).  This  period  embraced  the  twelfth  and  the  thirteenth 
Congress,  in  which  the  war  of  1812  was  declared  and  car- 
ried on.  During  this  time,  though  usually  a silent  member, 
Governor  Sevier  was  active  and  efficient.  He  was  placed 


712 


DECEASE  OF  SEVIER  AND  ROBERTSON. 


upon  the  Committee  of  Military  Affairs,  where,  from  his  long 
experience,  he  was  able  to  render  essential  and  important 
services  on  subjects  referred  to  his  committee.  Mr.  Monroe, 
in  1815,  appointed  him  a Commissioner  to  run  the  boundary 
of  territory  ceded  by  the  Creeks  to  the  United  States,  in  that 
year.  He  left  his  home  near  Knoxville,  in  June,  upon  that 
duty — was  taken  sick  of  a fever  in  September,  and  died  in 
a tent,  on  the  24th  of  that  month.  He  was  buried  with  the 
honours  of  war,  by  the  troops  under  command  of  Captain 
Walker,  U-  S.  A.,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Tallapoosa  River, 
at  an  Indian  village  called  Tuckabatchee,  near  Fort  Decatur* 
in  Alabama.  He  was  in  his  seventy-first  year. 

During  his  absence  from  home,  at  the  August  election  of 
that  year,  Governor  Sevier  was  re-elected  to  Congress  with- 
out opposition — an  evidence  of  his  undiminished  popularity 
to  the  end  of  life.  The  Legislature  of  Tennessee  noticed 
his  decease,  and  attested  the  appreciation  by  the  State  of  his 
great  services  and  high  character,  by  the  customary  reso- 
lution to  wear  crape  as  a badge  of  mourning  and  respect  for 
his  memory.  For  more  than  forty  years,  Sevier  had  been 
constantly,  and  actively,  and  successfully  occupied  in  the 
public  service — civil,  military  and  political ; and  the  intelli- 
gence of  his  death  diffused  a general  sorrow  throughout  the 
State  and  the  West,  where  his  memory  is  still  respected,  and 
his  great  services  highly  appreciated. 

More  will  appear  in  the  further  Annals  of  Tennessee, rela- 
$ tive  to  General  James  Robertson.  Here  it  is  proper  to 
( state,  that  this  father  of  Tennessee— this  founder  of  the 
settlements  on  Watauga  and  Cumberland ; this  most  successful 
negotiator  between  his  countrymen  and  their  Indian  neigh- 
bours ; this  citizen,  who  so  well  united  the  character  of  the  pa- 
triot and  the  patriarch ; continued  to  the  close  of  his  useful  life, 
an  active  friend  of  his  country,  and  possessed,  in  an  eminent 
degree,  the  confidence,  esteem  and  veneration  of  all  his  co- 
temporaries ; and  his  memory  and  services  to  the  Western 
settlements,  in  peace  and  in  Avar,  are  recollected  with  grate- 
ful regard  by  the  present  generation.  He  died  a little  ear- 
lier than  his  compatriot  and  colleague,  Sevier.  This  event 
took  place  at  the  Chickasaw  Agency,  September  1,  1814. 


THEY  DESERVE  A CENOTAPH. 


713 


Robertson  and  Sevier  both  were  pioneers  on  Watauga; 
what  the  one  was  to  East,  the  other  was  to  West  Tennessee. 
Each,  after  a long  life  of  activity  and  usefulness  in  civil  and 
military  affairs,  died  in  the  public  service,  and  within  Indian 
territory.  A duty  remains  to  be  performed,  in  further  honour 
of  her  two  great  founders — Robertson  and  Sevier — by  the 
people  of  Tennessee.  Their  place  of  entombment  is  beyond 
its  boundaries,  and  it  is,  perhaps,  proper  that  their  remains 
should  not  be  removed  from  the  field  of  their  labours,  their 
conquest  and  their  glory,  where  they  now  repose.  But  Ten- 
nessee gratitude  and  public  spirit  should  resolve,  that  near 
the  proud  Capitol  at  Nashville,  a cenotaph  should  be  erected, 
princely  and  magnificent,  in  memory  of  the  founder  at  once 
of  the  State  and  of  its  flourishing  Metropolis. 

Not  less  imperative  is  the  further  duty,  of  adorning  and 
dignifying  the  ancient  capital  of  Tennessee  with  a similar 
structure,  in  memory  of  Sevier.  Let  one  of  the  historic 
places  within  old  Knoxville,  or  in  its  environs,  be  chosen,  on 
which  a cenotaph  shall  be  erected,  commemorative  of  the 
achievements,  military  and  civil,  of  the  pioneer  on  Watauga, 
the  hero  of  King’s  Mountain,  the  Governor  of  Franklin  and 
of  Tennessee.  May  the  writer  suggest  respectfully,  though 
earnestly,  to  the  able  and  enlightened  press  of  his  State,  to 
appeal — as  he  does  himself  here  appeal — to  the  public  spirit 
and  liberality  of  his  countrymen,  thus  to  perpetuate  the  fame 
of  these  worthies  in  the  places  already  consecrated  by  their 
noble  and  patriotic  services. 

For  the  present,  these  Annals  will  stop  here.  Before 
closing  the  volume,  however,  it  may  be  proper  to  add  some 
general  remarks,  which  could  not  be  so  well  introduced 
elsewhere,  upon  Frontier  Life,  Frontier  Manners,  Frontier 
Society  and  Frontier  Education. 

Besides  the  enterprise,  fearlessness  and  courage,  already 
mentioned,  as  characteristic  of  the  first  settlers  of  Tennessee, 
we  may  mention  other  features  in  the  character  of  these 
pioneers.  In  all  the  relations  of  life,  their  position  being 
new  and  peculiar,  their  manners  and  customs,  their  costume, 
amusements,  pursuits,  &c.,  are  worthy  of  brief  remark. 

The  settlement  of  Tennessee  was  unlike  that  of  the  pre- 


714 


PRIMITIVE  TIMES  IN  TENNESSEE. 


sent  new  country  of  the  United  States.  Emigrants  from  the 
Atlantic  cities,  and  from  most  points  in  the  Western  interior, 
now  embark  upon  steamboats  or  other  craft,  and,  carrying 
with  them  all  the  conveniences  and  comforts  of  civilized 
life — indeed,  many  of  its  luxuries — are,  in  a few  days,  with- 
out toil,  danger  or  exposure,  transported  to  their  new  abodes, 
and,  in  a few  months,  are  surrounded  with  the  appendages 
of  home,  of  civilization,  and  the  blessings  of  law  and  of 
society.  The  wilds  of  Minnesota  and  Nebraska,  by  the 
agency  of  steam,  or  the  stalwart  arms  of  Western  boatmen, 
are  at  once  transformed  into  the  settlements  of  a commer- 
cial and  civilized  people.  Independence  and  St.  Paul’s,  six 
months  after  they  are  laid  off,  have  their  stores  and  their 
workshops,  their  artizans  and  their  mechanics.  The  mantua 
maker  and  the  tailor  arrive  in  the  same  boat  with  the  car- 
penter and  mason.  The  professional  man  and  the  printer 
quickly  follow.  In  the  succeeding  year,  the  piano,  the 
drawing-room,  the  restaurant,  the  billiard  table,  the  church 
bell,  the  village  and  the  city  in  miniature,  are  all  found, 
while  the  neighbouring  interior  is  yet  a wilderness  and  a 
desert.  The  town  and  comfort,  taste  and  urbanity,  are  first ; 
the  clearing,  the  farm-house,  the  wagon  road  and  the  im- 
proved country,  second.  It  was  far  different  on  the  frontier 
in  Tennessee.  At  first,  a single  Indian  trail  was  the  only 
entrance  to  the  eastern  border  of  it,  and  for  many  years 
admitted  only  of  the  hunter  and  the  pack-horse.  It  was  not 
till  the  year  1776,  that  a wagon  was  seen  in  Tennessee.  In 
consequence  of  the  want  of  roads — as  well  as  of  the  great 
distance  from  sources  of  supply — the  first  inhabitants  were 
without  tools,  and,  of  course,  without  mechanics — much 
more,  without  the  conveniences  of  living  and  the  comforts  of 
house-keeping.  Luxuries  were  absolutely  unknown.  Salt 
was  brought  on  pack-horses  from  Augusta  and  Richmond, 
and  readily  commanded  ten  dollars  a bushel.  The  salt 
gourd,  in  every  cabin,  was  considered  as  a treasure.  The 
sugar-maple  furnished  the  only  article  of  luxury  on  the  fron- 
tier ; coffee  and  tea  being  unknown,  or  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  settlers,  sugar  was  seldom  made,  and  was  only  used 
for  the  sick,  or  in  the  preparation  of  a sweetened,  dram  at  a 


THE  FRONTIER  DWELLING  HOUSES. 


715 


wedding,  or  the  arrival  of  a new-comer.  The  appendages 
of  the  kitchen,  the  cupboard  and  the  table,  were  scanty  and 
simple. 

Iron  was  brought,  at  great  expense,  from  the  forges  east  of 
the  mountain,  on  pack-horses,  and  was  sold  at  an  enormous 
price.  Its  use  was,  for  this  reason,  confined  to  the  construc- 
tion and  repair  of  ploughs  and  other  farming  utensils. 
Hinges,  nails  and  fastenings  of  that  material,  were  seldom 
seen. 

The  costume  of  the  first  settlers  corresponded  well  with 
the  style  of  their  buildings  and  the  quality  of  their  furniture. 
The  hunting  shirit  of  the  militiaman  and  the  hunter  was  in 
general  use.  The  rest  of  their  apparel  was  in  keeping  with 
it — plain,  substantial,  and  well  adapted  for  comfort,  use  and 
economy.  The  apparel  of  the  pioneers’  family  was  all  home- 
made ; and,  in  a whole  neighbourhood,  there  would  not  be 
seen,  at  the  first  settlement  of  the  country,  a single  article  of 
dress  of  foreign  growth  or  manufacture.  Half  the  year,  in 
many  families,  shoes  were  not  worn.  Boots,  a fur  hat,  and 
a coat  with  buttons  on  each  side,  attracted  the  gaze  of  the 
beholder,  and  sometimes  received  censure  and  rebuke.  A 
stranger,  from  the  old  States,  chose  to  doff  his  ruffles,  his 
broadcloth  and  his  queue,  rather  than  endure  the  scoff  and 
ridicule  of  the  backwoodsmen. 

The  dwelling-house,  on  every  frontier  in  Tennessee,  was 
the  log-cabin.  A carpenter  and  a mason  were  not  needed 
to  build  them — much  less  the  painter,  the  glazier  or  the  up- 
holsterer. Every  settler  had,  besides  his  rifle,  no  other  in- 
strument but  an  axe,  a hatchet  and  a butcher  knife  A saw, 
an  augur,  a froe  and  a broad-axe,  would  supply  a whole  set- 
tlement, and  were  used  as  common  property  in  the  erection 
of  the  log-cabin.  The  floor  of  the  cabin  was  sometimes  the 
earth.  No  saw-mill  was  yet  erected,  and,  if  the  means  or 
leisure  of  the  occupant  authorized  it,  he  split  out  puncheons 
for  the  floor  and  for  the  shutter  of  the  entrance  to  his  cabin. 
The  door  was  hung  with  wooden  hinges  and  fastened  by  a 
wooden  latch. 

Such  was  the  habitation  of  the  pioneer  Tennessean. 
Scarcely  can  one  of  these  structures,  venerable  for  their 


71G 


HOMES  OF  THE  PIONEERS. 


years  and  the  associations  which  cluster  around  them,  be 
now  seen  in  Tennessee.  Time  and  improvement  have  dis- 
placed them.  Here  and  there,  in  the  older  counties,  may  yet 
be  seen  the  old  log  house,  which  sixty  years  ago  sheltered 
the  first  emigrant,  or  gave,  for  the  time,  protection  to  a neigh- 
bourhood, assembled  within  its  strong  and  bullet-proof  walls. 
Such  an  one  is  the  east  end  of  Mr.  Martin’s  house,  at  Camp- 
bell’s Station,  and  the  centre  part  of  the  mansion  of  this  wri- 
ter, at  Mecklenburg,  once  Gilliam’s  Station,  changed  seom- 
what,  it  is  true,  in  some  of  its  aspects,  but  preserving  even 
yet,  in  the  height  of  the  story  and  in  its  old-fashioned  and  ca- 
pacious fire-place,  some  of  the  features  of  primitive  archi- 
tecture on  the  frontier.  Such,  too,  is  the  present  dwelling 
house  of  Mr.  Tipton,  on  Ellejoy,  in  Blount  county,  and  that 
of  Mr.  Glasgow  Snoddy,  in  Sevier  county.  But  these  old 
buildings  are  becoming  exceedingly  rare,  and  soon  not  one 
of  them  can  be  seen.  Their  unsightly  proportions  and  rude 
architecture,  will  not  much  longer  offend  modern  taste,  nor 
provoke  the  idle  and  irreverent  sneer  of  the  fastidious  and 
the  fashionable.  When  the  last  one  of  these  pioneer  houses 
shall  have  fallen  into  decay  and  ruins,  the  memory  of  their 
first  occupants  will  still  be  immortal  and  indestructible. 

The  interior  of  the  cabin  was  no  less  unpretending  and  sim- 
ple. The  whole  furniture,  of  the  one  apartment,  answering  in 
these  primitive  times,  the  purposes  of  the  kitchen,  the  din- 
ing room,  the  nursery  and  the  dormitory,  were  a plain  home- 
made bedstead  or  two,  some  split  bottomed  chairs  and  stools; 
a large  puncheon,  supported  on  four  legs,  used,  as  occasion 
required,  for  a bench  or  a table,  a water  shelf  and  a bucket; 
a spinning  wheel,  and  sometimes  a loom,  finished  the  cata- 
logue. The  wardrobe  of  the  family  was  equally  plain  and 
simple.  The  walls  of  the  house  were  hung  round  with  the 
dresses  of  the  females,  the  hunting  shirts,  clothes,  and  the 
arms  and  shot-pouches  of  the  men. 

The  labour  and  employment  of  a pioneer  family  were  dis- 
tributed, in  accordance  with  surrounding  circumstances.  To 
the  men,  was  assigned  the  duty  of  procuring  subsistence  and 
materials  for  clothing,  erecting  the  cabin  and  the  station, 
opening  and  cultivating  the  farm,  hunting  the  wild  beasts, 


PURSUITS  OF  THE  FIRST  SETTLERS. 


717 


and  repelling  and  pursuing  the  Indians.  The  women  spun 
the  flax,  the  cotton  and  wool,  wove  the  cloth,  made  them  up> 
milked,  churned,  and  prepared  the  food,  and  did  their  full 
share  of  the  duties  of  house-keeping.  Another  thus  describes 
them: — There  we  behold  woman  in  her  true  glory ; not  a 
doll  to  carry  silks  and  jewels ; not  a puppet  to  be  dandled 
by  fops,  an  idol  of  profane  adoration,  reverenced  to-day,  dis- 
carded to-morrow  ; admired,  but  not  respected  ; desired,  but 
not  esteemed;  ruling  by  passion,  not  affection  ; imparting  her 
weakness,  not  her  constancy,  to  the  sex  she  should  exalt ; the 
source  and  mirror  of  vanity.  We  see  her  as  a wife,  parta- 
king of  the  cares,  and  guiding  the  labours  of  her  husband, 
and  by  her  domestic  diligence  spreading  cheerfulness  all 
around  ; for  his  sake,  sharing  the  decent  refinements  of  the 
world,  without  being  fond  of  them;  placing  all  her  joy,  all 
her  happiness,  in  the  merited  approbation  of  the  man1  she 
loves.  As  a mother,  we  find  her  the  affectionate,  the  ardent 
instructress  of  the  children  she  has  reared  from  infancy,  and 
trained  them  up  to  thought  and  virtue,  to  meditation  and  be- 
nevolence ; addressing  them  as  rational  beings,  and  preparing 
them  to  become  men  and  women  in  their  turn. 

e‘  Could  there  be  happiness  or  comfort  in  such  dwellings 
and  such  a state  of  society?  To  those  who  are  accustomed 
to  modern  refinements,  the  truth  appears  like  fable.  The  early 
occupants  of  log-cabins  were  among  the  most  happy  of  man- 
kind. Exercise  and  excitement  gave  them  health  ; they 
were  practically  equal ; common  danger  made  them  mutually 
dependent ; brilliant  hopes  of  future  wealth  and  distinction 
led  them  on ; and  as  there  was  ample  room  for  all,  and  as 
each  new-comer  increased  individual  and  general  security, 
there  was  little  room  for  that  envy,  jealousy  and  hatred, 
which  constitute  a large  portion  of  human  misery  in  older 
societies.  Never  were  the  story,  the  joke,  the  song  and  the 
laugh,  better  enjoyed  than  upon  the  hewed  blocks,  or  punch- 
eon stools,  around  the  roaring  log  lire  of  the  early  Western 
settler.  The  lyre  of  Apollo  was  not  hailed  with  more  delight 
in  primitive  Greece,  than  the  advent  of  the  first  fiddler  among 
the  dwellers  of  the  wilderness  ; and  the  polished  daughters 
of  the  East  never  enjoyed  themselves  half  so  well,  moving  to 


718 


GREAT  ADAPTATION  OF  THE  SOIL 


the  music  of  a full  band,  upon  the  elastic  floor  of  their  or- 
namented ball-room,  as  did  the  daughters  of  the  emigrants, 
keeping  time  to  a self-taught  fiddler,  on  the  bare  earth  or 
puncheon  floor  of  the  primitive  log  cabin.  The  smile  of  the 
polished  beauty,  is  the  wave  of  the  lake,  where  the  wave  plays 
gently  over  it,  and  her  movement,  is  the  gentle  stream  which 
drains  it ; but  the  laugh  of  the  log  cabin,  is  the  gush  of  na- 
ture’s fountain,  audits  movement,  its  leaping  waters.”* 

On  the  frontier  the  diet  was  necessarily  plain  and  homely, 
but  exceedingly  abundant  and  nutritive.  The  Goshen  of  Ame- 
rica! furnished  the  richest  milk,  the  finest  butter,  and  the 
most  savoury  and  delicious  meats.  In  their  rude  cabins,  with 
their  scanty  and  inartificial  furniture,  no  people  ever  en- 
joyed in  wholesome  food  a greater  variety,  or  a superior 
quality  of  the  necessaries  of  life.  For  bread,  the  Indian  corn 
was  exclusively  used.  It  was  not  till  1790,  that  the  settlers 
on  the  rich  bottoms  of  Cumberland  and  Nollichucky,  disco- 
vered the  remarkable  adaptation  of  the  soil  and  climate  of 
Tennessee  to  the  production  of  this  grain.  Emigrants  from 
James  River,  the  Catawba  and  the  Santee,  were  surprised  at 
the  amount  and  quality  of  the  corn  crops,  surpassing  greatly 
the  best  results  of  agricultural  labour  and  care  in  the  Atlan- 
tic States.  This  superiority  still  exists,  and  Tennessee,  by 
the  census  of  1840,  was  the  corn  State.  Of  all  the  farina- 
cea,  corn  is  best  adapted  to  the  condition  of  a pioneer  peo- 
ple ; and  if  idolatry  is  at  all  justifiable,  Ceres,  or  certainly 
the  Goddess  of  Indian  corn,  should  have  had  a temple  and 
a worshipper  among  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee.  Without 
that  grain,  the  frontier  settlements  could  not  have  been  formed 
and  maintained.  It  is  the  most  certain  crop — requires  the 
least  preparation  of  the  ground — is  most  congenial  to  a 
virgin  soil — needs  not  only  the  least  amount  of  labour  in 
its  culture,  but  comes  to  maturity  in  the  shortest  time.  The 
pith  of  the  matured  stalk  of  the  corn  is  esculent  and  nutri- 
tious, and  the  stalk  itself  compressed  between  rollers,  fur- 
nishes what  is  known  as  corn-stalk  molasses. 

This  grain  requires,  also,  the  least  care  and  trouble  in 
preserving  it.  It  may  safely  stand  all  winter,  upon  the  stalk, 
* Kendall.  f Butler. 


TO  THE  PRODUCTION  OP  CORN. 


719 


without  injury  from  the  weather  or  apprehension  of  damage 
by  disease,  or  the  accidents  to  which  other  grains  are  subject. 
Neither  smut  nor  rust,  nor  weavil  nor  snow  storm,  will  hurt 
it.  After  its  maturity,  it  is  also  prepared  for  use  or  the 
granary,  with  little  labour.  The  husking  is  a short  process, 
and  is  even  advantageously  delayed  till  the  moment  arrives  for 
using  the  corn.  The  machinery  for  converting  it  into  food 
is  also  exceedingly  simple  and  cheap.  As  soon  as  the  ear 
is  fully  formed,  it  may  be  roasted  or  boiled,  and  forms,  thus, 
an  excellent  and  nourishing  diet.  At  a later  period  it  may 
be  grated,  and  furnishes,  in  this  form,  the  sweetest  bread. 
The  grains  boiled  in  a variety  of  modes,  either  whole  or 
broken  in  a mortar,  or  roasted  in  the  ashes,  or  popped  in  an 
oven,  are  well  relished.  If  the  grain  is  to  be  converted  into 
meal,  a simple  tub-mill  answers  the  purpose  best,  as  the 
meal  least  perfectly  ground  is  always  preferred.  A bolting 
cloth  is  not  needed,  as  it  diminishes  the  sweetness  and  value 
of  the  flour.  The  catalogue  of  the  advantages  of  this  meal 
might  be  extended  further.  Boiled  in  w’ater,  it  forms  the 
frontier  dish  called  mush,  which  was  eaten  with  milk,  with 
honey,  molasses,  butter  or  gravy.  Mixed  with  cold  water, 
it  is,  at  once,  ready  for  the  cook — covered  with  hot  ashes, 
the  preparation  is  called  the  ash-cake  ; placed  upon  a piece 
of  clapboard,  and  set  near  the  coals,  it  forms  the  jour- 
ney-cake ; or  managed  in  the  same  way,  upon  a helveless 
hoe,  it  forms  the  hoe-cake  ; put  in  an  oven,  and  covered  over 
with  a heated  lid,  it  is  called,  if  in  a large  mass,  a pone  or  loaf, 
if  in  smaller  quantities,  dodgers.  It  has  the  further  advan- 
tage, over  all  other  flour,  that  it  requires  in  its  preparation 
few  culinary  utensils,  and  neither  sugar,  yeast,  eggs,  spices, 
soda,  pot-ash  or  other  et  ceteras  to  qualify  or  perfect  the 
bread.  To  all  this,  it  may  be  added,  that  it  is  not  only  cheap 
and  well  tasted  but  it  is,  unquestionably  the  most  wholesome 
and  nutritive  food.  The  largest  and  healthiest  people  in 
the  world,  have  lived  upon  it  exclusively.  It  formed  the 
principal  bread  of  that  robust  race  of  men — giants  in  minia- 
ture— which,  half  a century  since,  was  seen  on  the  frontier 
The  dignity  of  history  is  not  lowered  by  this  enumeration 
of  the  pre-eminent  qualities  of  Indian  corn.  The  rifle  and  the 


720 


SPORTS  OF  THE  FRONTIER  PEOPLE. 


axe  have  had  their  influence  in  subduing  the  wilderness  to 
the  purposes  of  civilization,  and  they  deserve  their  eulogists 
and  trumpeters.  Let  paeans  be  sung  all  over  the  mighty 
West,  to  Indian  corn — without  it,  the  West  would  have  still 
been  a wilderness.  Was  the  frontier  suddenly  invaded? 
Without  commissary  or  quartermaster,  or  other  sources  of 
supply,  each  soldier  parched  a peck  of  corn  ; a portion  of 
it  was  put  into  his  pockets,  the  remainder  in  his  wallet,  and, 
throwing  it  upon  his  saddle,  with  his  rifle  on  his  shoulder, 
he  was  ready,  in  half  an  hour,  for  the  campaign.  Did  a 
flood  of  emigration  inundate  the  frontier,  with  an  amount  of 
consumers  disproportioned  to  the  supply  of  grain  ? The 
facility  of  raising  the  Indian  corn,  and  its  early  maturity, 
gave  promise  and  guaranty  that  the  scarcity  would-  be  tem- 
porary and  tolerable.  Did  the  safety  of  the  frontier  demand 
the  services  of  every  adult  militiaman  ? The  boys  and  wo- 
men could,  themselves,  raise  corn  and  furnish  ample  supplies 
of  bread.  The  crop  could  be  gathered  next  year.  Did  an 
autumnal  intermittent  confine  the  whole  family  or  the  entire 
population,  to  the  sick  bed  ? This  certain  concomitant  of 
the  clearing,  and  cultivating  the  new  soil,  mercifully  with- 
holds its  paroxysms,  till  the  crop  of  corn  is  made.  It  re- 
quires no  further  labour  or  care  afterwards.  Paeans,  say 
we,  and  a temple  and  worshippers,  to  the  Creator  of  Indian 
corn.  The  frontier  man  could  gratefully  say : “He  maketh 
me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures.  He  leadeth  me  beside 
the  still  waters.  Thou  preparest  a table  before  me  in  pre- 
sence of  mine  enemies .” 

The  sports  of  the  frontier  men  were  manly,  athletic  or 
warlike — the  chase,  the  bear  hunt,  the  deer  drive,  shooting 
at  the  target,  throwing  the  tomahawk,  jumping,  boxing  and 
wrestling,  foot  and  horse  racing.  Playing  marbles  and  pitch- 
ing dollars — cards  and  backgammon — were  little  known,  and 
were  considered  base  or  effeminate.  The  bugle,  the  violin, 
the  fife  and  drum,  furnished  all  the  musical  entertainments. 
These  were  much  used  and  passionately  admired.  Weddings, 
military  trainings,  house-raisings,  chopping  frolics,  were  often 
followed  with  the  fiddle,  and  dancing,  and  rural  sports. 

Another  custom  prevailed  extensively  on  the  frontier.  An 


A FRONTIER  CUSTOM. 


721 


account  of  it  furnished  many  years  since  to  “ The  Knoxville 
Argus,”  is  here  copied.  Its  style  is  scarcely  in  consonance  with 
the  gravity  of  history,  but  descriptive  as  it  is  of  a usage  not  yet 
wholly  unknown,  and  once  general  iq  Tennessee,  it  is  deemed 
not  unworthy  of  an  insertion  here.  It  was  written  late  in 
December. 

Mr.  Editor — Christmas  is  just  upon  us  again,  and  its  re- 
turn will  awaken  in  the  recollection  of  many  an  old  settle^ 
a melancholy  reminiscence,  of  the  way  it  was  kept  in  auld 
lang  syne.  What  would  you  give,  Mr.  Editor,  to  see  a real 
old-fashioned  backwoods  Christmas  frolic  ? or  a Christmas 
country  dance  ? or  a Christmas  quilting  ? or  best  of  all,  a 
genuine  Christmas  wedding  ? I mistake  you  much,  if,  with 
all  your  known  appreciation  of  modern  improvement,  the 
bare  mention  of  it  has  not  excited  your  enthusiasm  : and  he 
must  have  little  veneration,  indeed,  who  can  think  of  it 
without  emotion.  Why,  your  town  parties,  and  balls,  and 
soirees,  and  all  that,  are  nothing  in  comparison.  There  is 
no  heart  about  them — there  is  still  less  of  nature.  But  the 
contrast  makes  me  sad,  and  I leave  it.  Who,  in  these  times 
of  modern  degeneracy,  ever  hears  of  school-boys  barring  out 
the  master  ? That  in  my  early  days,  on  the  frontier,  was 
one  of  the  regular  observances  of  the  Christmas  holiday. 
Perhaps  you  don’t  understand  even  this  custom  of  early 
times  in  Tennessee,  and  need  to  have  it  described.  Well, 
then  if  either  you  or  your  readers  have  so  far  wandered  from 
the  old  paths  trodden  by  our  venerated  fathers,  as  to  require 
it  to  be  explained,  let  me  do  so  by  first  saying,  that  in  the 
nomenclature  of  early  times  out  here,  school-boy  was  synony- 
mous with  your  present  pupil,  scholar,  student,  academian, 
or  collegian.  The  different  grades  of  freshman,  sophomore, 
junior,  senior,  graduate  and  under  graduate,  bachelor  and 
master  of  arts,  were  as  little  known  as  the  secrets  of  as- 
trology or  the  Metamorphoses  of  Ovid.  A country  school 
had  but  two  classes  in  it,  viz  : the  big  boys  and  the  little 
boys,  and  sometimes  a third — the  girls.  Again,  in  the  back- 
woods  vocabulary,  master  was  a synonyme  with  your  present 
teacher,  preceptor,  tutor,  professor,  principal,  superintendent, 
rector  or  president.  Academy,  Institute,  College  and  Uni- 
46 


722 


A COUNTRY  SCHOOL-MASTER 


versity,  were  words  not  adapted  to  these  parallels  of  lati- 
tude at  all  : and  if  you  had  spoken  of  a matriculation  ticket, 
the  employers  and  employees,  parents,  master  and  boys,  would 
all  have  been  astounded.  They  expressed  the  same  idea  by  a 
simpler  form  : “ John  Smith  has  signed  the  school  article, 
and  Jim  will  be  here  to-morrow.”  The  school-house  was,  in 
that  day,  a genuine  bona  fide  log  cabin,  built  of  unhewn  logs, 
cut  from  the  forest  in  which  it  stood,  near  a spring,  and  was 
erected  by  the  joint  assistance  of  the  '‘neighbours.”  The 
building  was  sexangular,  the  extreme  points  of  the  longest 
diameter,  subserving  the  double  purpose  of  ends  to  the  house 
and  convenient  appendages  for  commodious  fire-places,  as 
chimneys  were  most  significantly  and  appropriately  called 
in  those  days  of  simple  convenience  and  comfort  in  architec- 
ture. What  did  it  matter  if  appertures  at  each  end,  as  large 
as  a barn  door,  did  allow  a rather  free  ingress  to  Boreas  and 
the  snows  of  winter  ? A neighbouring  wood  furnished  sup- 
plies of  fuel  without  stint.  Oh  ! who  can  forget  the  luxury 
of  one  of  those  old-fashioned  school-house  fires  ! I shiver  this 
cold  night  to  think  I shall  not  again  sit  by  and  enjoy  them. 

But  barring  out  the  master  was  effected  thus  : A school  is 
a larger  community  in  miniature,  and  a schoolmaster  a mo- 
narch upon  a small  scale.  Boys  sometimes  claim  the  right 
of  self-government  as  inherent  and  divine,  and,  like  older 
politicians,  declare  themselves,  and,  especially,  about  Christ- 
mas, to  be  free  and  equal ; and  if  that  declaration  is  not  sanc- 
tioned by  others,  they  claim  the  right  of  maintaining  it  even 
by  revolution.  The  master,  on  the  other  hand,  is  as  tena- 
cious of  his  short-lived  authority,  as  the  Autocrat  of  Russia, 
or  any  European  legitimist;  and  resists,  at  its  inception,  the 
first  invasion  of  his  prerogative.  A short  time  before  the 
usual  outbreak,  a spirit  of  insubordination  and  greater  fa- 
miliarity is  manifested  in  the  school.  To  repress  this  in  the 
bud,  the  master  assumes  a sterner  demeanour,  becomes  cap- 
tious, arbitrary  and  tyrannical.  His  subjects  become,  of 
course,  less  patient  of  restraint,  and  call  a convention. 
Some  one  “ born  to  command,”  proposes  the  bold  measure  of 
rebellion,  and  the  dethronement  of  the  despot.  The  propo- 
sition meets  the  general  concurrence  of  the  school,  and  Fri- 


BARRED  OUT  OF  THE  SCHOOL-HOUSE. 


723 


day  morning  preceding  Christmas,  is  appointed  as  the  time 
for  carrying  the  purpose  into  execution.  The  plan  is  com- 
municated to  some  congenial  spirits  in  the  neighbourhood, 
who,  sympathizing  with  the  feelings  of  the  youthful  confede- 
rates, become  their  allies.  At  an  early  hour,  they  take  pos- 
session of  the  school-house,  kindle  large  fires  in  the  chim- 
neys, barricade  the  door ; and  wait,  with  shouts  of  defiance, 
for  the  approach  of  the  master.  He  arrives,  and  is  denied  en- 
trance. He  commands  submission,  asserts  his  authority,  at- 
tempts to  enter  by  force,  but  is  repulsed.  Sometimes  he  calls 
others  to  assist  in  re-establishing  his  authority ; but  the  be- 
sieged refuse  to  surrender,  unless  upon  terms  of  honourable 
capitulation— a treat  and  a week  of  holidays.  Conferrees 
of  both  parties  are  appointed,  to  negotiate  the  treaty  ; the_ 
terms  are  arranged,  and  the  belligerents  are  at  peace.  If 
the  terms  are  not  assented  to  by  the  master,  negotiation  is 
at  an  end,  and  the  ultima  ratio  regum  decides  the  contest. 
The  benches  are  removed  from  the  barricaded  door  ; the 
besieged  party  sallies  forth,  and  captures  the  unaccommoda- 
ting master.  A prisoner  in  their  hands,  if  he  still  continues 
obstinate,  a gentle  kind  of  violence  is  threatened.  His  cap- 
tors,  though  unacquainted  with  the  laws  of  nations,  feel  that 
inter  arma  silent  leges,  take  their  prisoner  to  the  nearest  wa- 
ter, and  plunge  him  under  it.  The  argument  of  the  cold 
bath  in  December  succeeds  ; he  yields  to  their  demands  ; a 
messenger  is  started  off  for  apples  and  cider,  and,  sometimes^ 
for  refreshments  of  a more  stimulating  kind.  A general 
merriment  and  exhilaration  follow,  in  which  the  victors  and 
the  vanquished  unite  in  reciting  with  cordial  glee,  both  the  tra- 
gic and  comic  of  the  siege.  The  holidays  are  spent  in  rural 
sports  and  manly  amusements.  The  good  wishes  of  the 
season  obliterate  all  recollection  of  past  differences  between 
master  and  boys  ; and  when,  on  the  next  Monday,  “books”  is 
called,  each  one  quietly  and  cheerfully  resumes  his  proper 
position  in  the  school-house.  The  master’s  authority  is  re- 
cognized as  legitimate — his  instructions  duly  valued  ; the 
boys,  late  successful  insurgents,  have  voluntarily  returned  to 
their  allegiance,  and  after  a pleasant  relaxation  from  their 
studies,  are  again  prosecuting  them  with  profit  and  diligence. 


724 


OTHER  CHARACTERISTICS 


They  continue  studious  and  obedient  until  the  approach  of 
the  next  Christmas.” 

The  new-comer,  on  his  arrival  in  the  settlements,  was 
everywhere,  and  at  all  times,  greeted  with  a cordial  wel- 
come. Was  he  without  a family?  he  was  at  once  taken  in 
as  a cropper  or  a farming  hand,  and  found  a home  in  the 
kind  family  of  some  settler.  Had  he  a wife  and  children  ? 
they  were  all  asked,  in  backwoods  phrase,  “ to  camp  with 
us  till  the  neighbours  can  put  up  a cabin  for  you.”  The 
invitation  accepted,  the  family  where  he  stops  is  duplicated, 
but  this  inconvenience  is  of  ^hort  duration.  The  host  goes 
around  the  neighbourhood,  mentions  the  arrival  of  the  stran- 
gers, appoints  a day,  close  at  hand,  for  the  neighbours  to 
meet  and  provide  them  a home. 

After  the  cabin  is  raised,  and  the  new-comers  are  in  it, 
every  family,  near  at  hand,  bring  in  something  to  give  them 
a start.  A pair  of  pigs,  a cow  and  calf,  a pair  of  all  the 
domestic  fowls — any  supplies  of  the  necessaries  of  life  which 
they  have — all  are  brought  and  presented  to  the  beginners.  If 
they  have  come  into  the  settlement  in  the  spring,  the  neigh- 
bours make  another  frolic,  and  clear  and  fence  a field  for  them. 

All  these  acts  of  kindness  and  beneficence  are  not  only 
gratuitous,  but  are  performed  without  ostentation,  and  cor- 
dially. The  strangers  so  appreciate  them,  and  the  first  oc- 
casion that  presents,  they  are  ready,  with  a like  spirit,  to 
extend  similar  kind  offices  to  emigrants  who  come  next. 
The  performance  of  them  thus  becomes  a usage  and  a char- 
acteristic of  the  frontier  stage  of  society. 

Of  other  stamina  in  the  character  of  the  Tennessee  pio- 
' neer,  a stern  independence  in  thought,  feeling  and  action, 
attracts  the  notice  and  secures  the  respect  of  all  who  are 
pleased  with  simplicity,  truth  and  nature.  To  these  may  be 
added  frankness,  candour,  sincerity,  cordiality,  and  the  invi- 
olability of  a private  friendship.  He  that  could  be  false  or 
faithless  to  a friend,  was  frowned  out  of  backwoods  society, 
and  could  never  again  enter  it.  No  perfidy  was  considered 
so  base,  so  belittling,  and  was  so  seldom  excused  or  forgiven, 
as  the  desertion  of  a friend  or  ingratitude  to  a benefactor. 

“In°;ratum  me  si  dixeris  omnia  dixeris.” 


OF  FRONTIER  SOCIETY. 


725 


To  say  of  an  individual  that  he  was  not  true,  carried  with 
it  a stigma  which,  on  the  frontier,  could  never  be  wiped  out. 
On  the  contrary,  to  say  his  heart  was  in  its  right  place,  se- 
cured to  him  fraternal  regard  and  public  confidence. 

Being  in  the  simplest  stage  of  society,  wealth,  station, 
office,  family,  were,  of  course,  not  essential  to  distinction  or 
esteem.  His  own  personal  merits,  in  which  the  physique 
had  its  weight — his  good  feelings,  his  capacity  to  amuse  and 
instruct,  and  his  innate  civility,  gave  the  possessor  a pass- 
port to  the  consideration  and  regard  of  the  frontier  man  and 
his  family.  Indeed,  without  them,  an  emigrant  was  friend- 
less and  a stranger.  To  have  it  said  of  one : He  cares  for 
nobody,  was,  itself,  to  exclude  and  drive  him  off.* 

To  say  of  one — he  has  no  neighbours,  was  sufficient,  in 
those  times  of  mutual  wants  and  mutual  benefactions,  to 
make  the  churl  infamous  and  execrable.  A failure  to  ask  a 
neighbour  to  a raising,  a clearing,  a chopping  frolic,  or  his  fa- 
mily to  a quilting,  was  considered  a high  indignity ; such  an 
one,  too,  as  required  to  be  explained  or  atoned  for  at  the  next 
muster  or  county  court.  Each  settler  was  not  only  willing, 
but  desirous  to  contribute  his  share  to  the  general  comfort 
and  public  improvement,  and  felt  aggrieved  and  insulted  if 
the  opportunity  to  do  so  were  withheld.  “ It  is  a poor  dog 
that  is  not  worth  whistling  for,”  replied  the  indignant  neigh- 
bour who  was  allowed  to  remain  at  home,  at  his  own  work, 
while  a house  raising  was  going  on  in  the  neighbourhood. 
“What  injury  have  I done  that  I am  slighted  so?” 

This  beneficent  and  unselfish  feeling  is  the  charm  of  a 
new  community,  and  has  not  yet  forsaken  the  more  rural 
districts  of  Tennessee.  Long  may  it  be  retained  and  vene- 
rated amongst  the  descendants  of  the  pioneers  ! 

At  the  termination  of  the  Territorial  Government,  the 
tocsin  of  war  had  ceased,  and  on  the  long  line  of  the  Ten- 
nessee frontier  a general  peace  prevailed — “the  sword  was 
beaten  into  a ploughshare  and  the  spear  into  a pruning 
hook.”  The  soldier  rested  from  his  martial  toils,  and  no 
longer  thought  of  the  campaign,  the  rendezvous,  the  march, 
the  bivouac,  the  night  assault,  the  desperate  charge,  the 

* Butler. 


726 


DEARTH  OF  THE  MEANS  OF 


deadly  conflict  in  arms,  the  deathful  carnage,  the  fierce  pur- 
suit, nor  the  triumphs  of  victory.  The  conquest  achieved, 
the  enemy  driven  out,  the  country  settled,  after  a struggle 
of  twenty  years  the  soldier  reposed  upon  his  laurels,  doffed 
the  warrior,  and  in  the  quiet  repose  of  domestic  life,  devoted 
himself  to  the  calmer  pursuits  of  the  citizen  and  the  patriot 
at  home.  Order  and  law  had  taken  the  place  of  discontent 
and  turbulence.  Civil  government  was  firmly  established, 
and  each  citizen  became  still  prouder  of  his  country,  and 
more  interested  in  its  prosperity  and  improvement. 

From  the  existing  peace,  sprang  up  new  and  important  du- 
ties. The  war  which  had  occupied  the  pioneers  of  Tennes- 
see so  long  and  so  constantly,  had  forced  upon  them  the  un- 
welcome necessity  of  neglecting,  in  some  degree,  the  intel- 
lectual and  moral  training  of  the  young.  While  physical 
education  had  absorbed  fully  the  attention  of  the  first  set- 
tlers, surrounding  circumstances  had  not  permitted  them  to 
give  suitable  culture  to  the  minds  and  hearts  of  their  child- 
ren. In  some  of  the  forts  and  stations,  some  one  in  them 
best  qualified  for  the  duty,  was  selected  to  teach  the  children 
to  read  and  write.  Books  were  scarce  on  the  frontier,  and 
those  suited  to  the  age  and  capacity  of  the  young,  were  not 
to  be  had.  Paper,  ink,  slates  and  pencils,  were  of  difficult 
procurement.  An  important  letter,  or  despatch,  was  often 
written  with  ink,  made  of  gunpowder,  upon  the  blank  leaf 
of  a Bible,  or  other  book — was  sealed  with  rosin  and  for- 
warded by  a runner  to  another  post.  School-houses  on  the 
border  settlements  were  unknown — teacher  and  pupils  would 
alike  have  there  become  victims  of  Indian  cruelty  and  re- 
venge. In  the  older  neighbourhoods  the  children  were  bet- 
ter instructed. 

Moral  culture  was,  for  like  reasons,  seldom  afforded  to  the 
first  inhabitants.  Here  and  there  was  forted,  with  the  rest  of 
the  settlers,  the  minister  of  truth,  who  conducted  public 
worship,  and  expounded  the  word,  and  administered  the  sa- 
craments. In  the  absence  of  such  a functionary,  a part  of 
these  services  was  performed  by  some  pious  layman,  who  in 
the  older  country  had  known  the  Sabbath  and  appreciated 
its  sacredness — had  hallowed  the  sanctuary  and  valued  its 


MORAL  AND  INTELLECTUAL  EDUCATION. 


727 


privileges — had  bowed  in  prayer  and  felt  its  power — had 
heard  the  preached  word  and  was  impressed  with  its  influ- 
ences— had  listened  to  the  songs  of  the  people  of  God,  and 
had  his  heart  melted  by  the  inspirations  of  sacred  music. 
Such  an  one,  with  no  license  but  the  consent  of  his  hearers^ 
no  authority  but  the  law  of  necessity,  no  order  but  the  com- 
mand of  conscience  and  duty,  became  the  leader  of  public 
worship  in  a fort,  perhaps  an  exhorter  and  a minister.  It 
cannot  be  doubted  that  this  assumption  of  the  sacerdotal  of- 
fice was,  for  the  time  being,  productive  of  great  good,  and 
exerted  a happy  moral  influence  in  restraining  vice  and  pro- 
moting virtue  upon  the  frontier. 

Now,  however,  when  peace  was  restored,  the  fort  disman- 
tled, and  every  inhabitant  could  set  under  his  own  vine  and 
fig  tree,  “ with  none  to  molest  or  make  him  afraid,”  school- 
houses  and  churches  became  the  first  care  of  the  inhabitants. 
A minister  and  a school-master  was  sought  for  in  every 
neighbourhood.  Many  of  the  inhabitants  had  themselves 
enjoyed  in  the  Fatherland  the  advantages  of  learning  and  of 
religious  training.  Yielding  to  the  promptings  of  a spirit  of 
enterprise  and  adventure,  they  forsook  the  altar  and  the  fire- 
side, where  parental  care  and  vigilance  had  furnished  the 
means  of  moral  and  intellectual  culture.  Thrown  suddenly 
upon  a distant  frontier,  surrounded  by  thoughtless,  if  not  pro- 
fligate and  vicious  associates,  they  may  at  first  have  ceased 
to  be  shocked  at  the  habitual  desecration  of  the  Sabbath,  or 
the  use  of  profane  language.  “ Evil  communications”  may 
have  corrupted  their  purity,  and  led  them  to  deride  the  in- 
junctions impressed  upon  the  youthful  conscience  by  mater- 
nal solicitude.  Engaged  in  business,  they  become  identified 
with  all  the  interests  of  the  society  of  which  they  now  form 
a part,  the  heads  of  a family  and  the  principal  citizens  of 
their  neighbourhood.  Their  children  are  growing  up,  it  may 
be,  in  carelessness  and  ignorance,  untutored  and  vicious. 
It  is  now  that  the  lessons  of  their  youth,  in  all  their  force  and 
freshness,  come  home  to  their  heart  and  conscience,  reminding 
them  that  their  Father’s  house  was  a house  of  prayer.  They 
recollect  the  sacred  quiet  of  the  day  of  rest,  the  catechism 
and  the  school-house.  They  think  of  their  old  minister  and 


728 


NASHVILLE,  THE  GREAT  SOURCE 


the  school-master.  A teacher  arrives  in  the  neighbourhood, 
or  a pioneer  herald  of  the  cross  passes  through  the  country. 
They  are  sought  after.  The  one  is  invited  to  preach,  a nu- 
cleus of  a Christian  congregation  is  formed,  and  the. regular 
ordinances  of  a Christian  church  are  established.  The  other 
is  employed  to  teach  ; the  school-house  is  erected  ; instruction, 
cheap,  solid  and  useful,  is  imparted  to  the  young.  The  whole 
face  of  society  undergoes  a perceptible  amelioration.  Good 
morals,  thrift,  taste,  progress  and  improvement  succeed. 

Besides  these  sources  of  improvement,  there  were  others 
worthy  of  notice.  Roads  and  other  channels  of  communi- 
cation were  now  opened  up  to  the  several  parts  of  the  fron- 
tier, which  admitted  to  them  emigrants  from  older  commu- 
nities, who  brought  with  them  wealth,  comfort,  books,  fash- 
ion and  refinement.  Commerce  began  to  exert  its  wonted 
influence  in  modifying  and  refining  society.  Philadelphia 
and  Baltimore  merchants  furnished  capable  young  men  of 
the  West  with  a small  stock  of  goods  ; and  though  subjected 
to  the  delay  and  expense  of  a long  and  tedious  land  trans- 
portation of  seven  or  eight  hundred  miles,  over  bad  roads, 
from  these  cities  to  Holston  and  Cumberland,  the  traffic 
became  mutually  advantageous  to  buyer  and  seller.  Heavy 
articles  of  export  reached  the  foreign  markets  by  the  flat- 
bottomed  boats  of  the  country,  down  the  Mississippi.  A few 
goods  and  groceries,  from  the  West  Indies,  were  received  in 
keel  boats,  by  the  same  channel.  Money  became  more 
abundant.  More  attention  was  given  by  the  inhabitants  to 
the  style  and  convenience  of  their  buildings,  the  neatness 
and  taste  of  their  costume,  and  the  embellishment  and  im- 
provement of  their  farms  and  villages.  Knoxville  had  begun 
to  wear  the  aspect  of  a town,  and  Nashville  gave,  even  then, 
certain  indications  of  her  future  importance,  wealth  and 
commerce.  The  streets  were  extended ; stores  were  multi- 
plied and  workshops  were  established.  The  future  proud 
Metropolis  of  Tennessee — now  adorned  with  the  most  mag- 
nificent Capitol  in  the  Union — began  to  be  visited  by  stran- 
gers in  search  of  a theatre  for  the  exercise  of  commercial 
enterprise  and  skill.  No  city  has  been  more  fortunate  in 
having,  as  the  artificers  of  its  fortunes,  skilful,  enlightened, 


OF  IMPROVEMENT  TO  THE  COUNTRY. 


729 


liberal  and  public  spirited  merchants.  Nashville  may  well 
be  proud  of  the  soldiers  who  have  gone  out  from  her  midst, 
and  the  Commanders  she  has  furnished,  in  every  period  of  her 
history,  when  the  condition  of  the  State  or  the  Union  made 
a call  upon  her  chivalry,  her  patriotism,  or  her  devotion  to 
liberty.  She  may  be  proud  of  the  fame  of  her  civilians  and 
statesmen,  whose  remains  repose  in  her  precincts,  or  of  those 
who,  in  after  times,  adorned,  dignified  and  still  serve  her 
at  home  or  in  the  national  councils.  She  may  boast  of  hex- 
science,  her  arts  and  her  learning  ; but,  earlier  in  her  his- 
tory, it  was  the  spirit  of  the  Nashville  merchants,  that  made 
her  what  she  is  destined  to  be — and,  indeed,  already  is — the 
great  focus  of  wealth,  of  commerce  and  manufactures.  At 
the  end  of  the  last  century,  radiating  from  that  centre,  went 
forth,  to  the  surrounding  settlements,  industry,  thrift,  improve- 
ment and  taste.  Here  and  there,  at  irregular  intervals,  ap- 
peared the  well-cultivated  farm,  in  the  woods  of  Cumber- 
land, and  the  stately  mansion  in  the  place  of  the  frontier 
cabin. 

In  those  purer  days  of  the  republic,  patriotism  was  not  an 
echo  merely.  With  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee,  it  was  a 
principle,  deep,  strong,  active,  full  of  vitality  and  vigour. 
“ Their  glowing  love  of  country,  their  lofty  independence, 
their  devoted  courage,  their  high  religious  trust,  their  zeal 
for  education,  as  the  consequence  of  their  deep  regard  for 
the  welfare  of  their  descendants,  all  challenge  our  applause  ; 
all  demand  our  emulation.  In  those  days,  professions  of 
esteem,  pro  bono  publico , were  sealed  with  active  efforts,  not 
suffered  to  evaporate  in  air.”* 

The  principles  held  by  the  men  of  that  day  were  their 
convictions,  the  convictions  of  a deliberate  judgment  and  of  a 
pure  and  unselfish  patriotism.  In  these,  they  were  persis- 
tent and  conscientious.  An  ebullition  of  disappointment,  a 
factious  paroxysm,  an  unhealthy  ambition,  a newspaper 
paragraph,  were  powerless  in  degrading  a faithful  public 
officei',  or  in  elevating  an  incompetent  or  an  unworthy  aspi- 
rant. The  tactics  of  the  partizan  and  the  factionist  were 


* Mr.  Hume’s  Address. 


730 


GREAT  REVIVAL  OP  RELIGION. 


unknown,  and  the  manufactories  of  public  sentiment,  were 
confined  to  the  good  common  sense  of  the  people  themselves, 
rather  than  their  passions,  their  interests  and  their  preju- 
dices. In  the  selection  of  public  officers,  the  inquiry  was 
not — does  the  office  suit  the  candidate  ? but,  is  he  qualified 
for  the  office  ? Identity  of  interest  with  the  constituency,  a 
public  service,  and  an  honest,  if  not  enlightened  love  of 
country,  secured  the  confidence,  and  with  it  the  patronage 
and  suffrages  of  the  masses. 

This  account  of  the  progress  and  improvement  attained 
by  Tennessee,  would  be  incomplete,  without  a notice  of  the 
Great  Religious  Revival,  which  occurred  about  the  end  of 
the  last  century.  Their  frequent  conflict  with  the  Indians, 
the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  the  exciting  scenes  through 
which  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee  had  passed,  during  the  for- 
mation at  several  periods  of  their  civil  Government,  had  been 
accompanied  with  a necessary  relaxation  of  morals.  Re- 
ligious instruction  and  worship,  were  necessarily  neglected* 
and  the  forms  even  of  religion  were  most  imperfectty  main- 
tained. The  march  of  armies,  and  the  excitement  of  a sol- 
dier’s life,  are  little  favourable  to  the  culture  of  the  moral 
sense.  Vice  and  immorality  follow  in  their  train.  The 
same  may  be  said  of  the  clamour  and  tumult  attending  upon 
political  antagonism  and  faction.  They  have  little  tendency 
to  make  men  better.  The  standard  of  morality  is  lowered,  and 
the  sacred  fire  of  conscience  burns  less  purely,  both  in  the 
congregation  and  the  family.  Scenes  of  bloodshed  and  par- 
tizan  animosity,  steel  the  heart  against  the  commands  of  God. 

But  now,  war  and  its  influences  had  ceased,  and  the  quiet  of 
a stable  government  had  given  repose  to  the  excited  masses. 
This  condition  was  favourable  to  the  needed  reformation, 
and  happily  the  instruments  by  whom  it  was  to  be  effected* 
were  at  hand.  “ Men  of  burning  zeal,  inspired  by  the  lofty 
theme,  and  imbued  with  the  power  of  a boisterous  but  natural 
eloquence,  came  amongst  the  people,  and  declared  their 
mission.  To  most  of  them  it  was  novel,  and,  therefore,  at- 
tractive. Large  audiences  of  sensitive  and  enthusiastic 
hearers,  were  assembled,  the  fame  of  the  preachers  is  ex- 


FIRST  CAMP-MEETINGS. 


731 


tended  to  distant  neighbourhoods,  other  appointments  are 
made,  at  which  thousands  will  have  congregated,  some  of 
them  having  come  more  than  fifty  miles.”*  This  created  the 
necessity  of  what  has  since  been  known  as  “ a Camp- 
meeting.” 

“ The  first  important  Camp-meeting  on  record,  was  held  at 
Cane  Ridge,  in  Tennessee,  in  the  summer  of  1799.  The  re- 
vivals and  protracted  meetings,  which  had  preceded  it, 
caused  the  attendance  of  a vast  concourse  of  people,  en- 
camped in  the  dense  forest,  where  the  religious  exercises 
were  continued  day  and  night.  This  novel  mode  of  worship- 
ping God,  excited  great  attention,  and  people  flocked  to  it 
from  a distance  of  fifty  or  sixty  miles  ; many  came  from 
Lexington,  Kentucky,  a distance  of  one  hundred  and  eighty 
miles.  At  night  the  grove  was  illuminated  with  lighted 
candles,  lamps  and  torches.  The  stillness  of  the  night,  the 
serenity  of  the  heavens,  the  vast  concourse  of  attentive  wor- 
shippers, wrapped  in  the  deep  solemnity  which  covered  every 
countenance,  the  pointed  and  earnest  manner  in  which  the 
preachers,  in  different  portions  of  the  vast  concourse,  ex- 
horted the  people  to  repentance,  faith  and  prayer,  denounc- 
ing the  terrors  of  the  law  upon  the  impenitent,  produced  the 
most  awfully  solemn  sensations  in  the  minds  of  all.  Twenty 
thousand  persons  were  estimated  to  be  present. f 

The  next  important  Camp-meeting  was  on  Desha’s  Creek, 
near  Cumberland  River.  It  was  also  attended  by  many 
thousands  of  people,  and  the  same  scenes  were  witnessed  in 
a still  more  remarkable  manner.J  In  other  parts  of  Ten- 
nessee and  Kentucky,  these  assemblages  of  the  people  were 
also  general,  and  were  accompanied  with  similar  influences. 

The  Ministers,  who  led  the  way  in  these  exciting  revivals, 
were  William  and  John  McGhee,  Rev.  James  McGready, 
Hoge  and  Rankin,  of  the  Presbyterian  church  ; and  William 
McKendree,  William  Burke,  John  Sale  and  Benjamin  Lakin, 
of  the  Methodist  church. § 


* Monette. 


\ Bang. 


j:  Monette. 


§ Ibid. 


732 


FRONTIER  EDUCATION. 


FRONTIER  EDUCATION. 

The  means  of  both  moral  and  intellectual  culture  are  ne- 
cessarily meagre  and  inadequate,  in  all  new  and  frontier 
settlements.  It  was  so  in  early  times  in  Tennessee.  For 
many  years  there  were  few  clergymen,  and  few  competent 
teachers.  There  were  no  libraries  and  few  books.  Occa- 
sionally a minister  of  the  gospel,  well  educated  and  capable 
of  imparting  instruction,  would  open  a classical  school,  and 
furnish  thus  to  the  young  men  of  the  country,  the  facilities  of 
acquiring  useful  and  solid  learning;  but  such  a school  was 
at  first  rare.  The  common  schools  of  the  country  were,  in 
like  manner,  scarceptnd  infrequent,  and  where  they  were  had, 
the  teachers  were  often  incompetent. 

In  this  dearth  of  the  opportunities  of  moral  and  mental 
training,  it  might  be  supposed  that  the  inhabitants  would 
become  necessarily  vicious  and  ignorant.  To  some  consid- 
erable extent,  it  was  so.  But  he  is  greatly  mistaken,  who 
supposes  that  an  illiterate  is  necessarily  an  ignorant  popu- 
lation. Far  otherwise.  Fortunately  for  the  new  commu- 
nities, upon  a remote  frontier,  other  instrumentalities  than 
the  pulpit  and  school-house — invaluable  and  inappreciable 
as  they  are  admitted  to  be — are  found  for  the  improvement 
of  the  mind  and  heart. 

Education,  in  its  broadest  sense,  regards  the  body,  the 
mind  and  the  heart.  When  thus  subdivided,  it  is  physical, 
intellectual  and  moral.  Physical  education  is  no  where  more 
perfectly  attained,  than  upon  the  frontier,  in  a salubrious 
climate.  The  first  emigrants  to  the  solitudes  of  the  West 
were  remarkable  for  their  enterprise,  hardihood,  vigour, 
powers  of  endurance,  health  and  manhood.  These  were 
not  only  generally  inherited  by  their  children,  but  increased 
and  augmented  by  the  circumstances  around  them.  Their 
pursuits  cultivated  and  enlarged  them.  Their  mode  and 
style  of  living  had  the  same  tendency.  There  was  no  luxu- 
ry to  enervate,  no  excess  of  labour  to  depress,  no  idleness  to 
enfeeble  them.  Everyone  was  employed  ; there  was  no  idler — 
no  voluptuary — no  drone  in  society.  Each  one  felt  him- 
self stimulated  by  his  position,  in  a career  of  active  or  use- 


GENERAL  INTELLIGENCE  ON  THE  FRONTIER. 


733 


ful  employment.  The  chase,  the  campaign,  the  building  of 
cabins  and  forts,  the  felling  the  forest,  the  subduing  the  wil- 
derness, all  demanded  active  and  manly  exertion,  and,  in- 
spiring hope  and  promise  for  the  future,  assisted  in  develop- 
ing in  the  highest  degree  the  physical  man.  Nowhere  else  has 
the  race  attained  a fuller  development  or  a higher  perfec- 
tion, than  upon  the  Tennessee  frontier. 

Intellectual  education,  if  it  did  not  advance  equo  pede,  was 
still  not  without  its  own  peculiar  adjuvants  and  stimulants. 
The  frontier  mind  had  its  culture,  though  the  sources  of  it, 
and  its  channels,  were  not  the  same  as  in  older  communities. 
It  has  been  already  stated  that  there  were  few  professional 
instructors,  and  few  books,  and  no  libraries.  This  deficit, 
however  to  be  deplored,  was  not  accompanied  with  ignorance, 
as  would  now,  byv  many,  be  supposed.  A frontier  people, 
though  generally  illiterate,  is  usually  remarkable  for  great 
good  sense  and  general  intelligence.  Of  these  there  are, 
fortunately,  other  sources  than  libraries  and  institutions  of 
learning.  Nowhere,  more  than  upon  the  frontier,  are  these 
brought  into  requisition.  The  ambition  of  superiority  is 
nowhere  more  active  and  all-pervading.  There,  above  all 
others,  the  race  for  distinction,  is  open  to  all ; the  start  is 
even ; each  one  enters  with  an  honourable  competition  to  come 
out  foremost.  General  intelligence,  useful  information,  good 
common  sense — these,  and  not  scholastic  attainment,  be- 
come the  standard,  the  object,  purpose  and  aim  of  the  fron- 
tier citizen.  With  these  in  his  view,  he  is  stimulated  to 
teach  himself.  He  has  the  intellect  and  the  ambition  to 
learn  ; he  has  the  leisure  to  inquire,  to  think  and  to  investi- 
gate for  himself.  Oral  communication  becomes  thus,  upon 
the  frontier,  the  great  source  of  instruction.  Information 
thus  acquired,  though  less  minute  and  extensive,  is  not  less 
solid  or  profound,  nor  less  accurate  and  reliable,  than  that 
obtained  by  the  infant  mind  from  books.  Hence,  there  is 
less  fanaticism,  fewer  errorists,  fewer  ultraists,  in  an  unlet- 
tered population  on  the  frontier,  than  in  an  older  community 
with  greater  literary  advantages — every  moment  of  its  time 
absorbed  by  and  devoted  to  business,  with  no  leisure,  and 
less  inclination,  to  think  for  themselves.  The  thoughts  of 


734 


POWER  OF  VIGOROUS  THOUGHT 


the  latter  run  in  one  channel,  are  directed  to  one  subject, 
and  often  exhaust  and  master  it  — while  the  other  com- 
prehend a wider  range,  and  cover  a greater  area.  The 
frontier  mind  grasps  the  public  good,  the  institutions  of 
the  country,  government,  laws,  theology,  politics,  medi- 
cine, every  thing.  This  may  create — it  sometimes  did 
create,  an  unamiable  self-sufficiency  ; a trait  of  charac- 
ter more  excusable,  however,  than  a blind  subserviency  to 
the  dogmas  of  the  schools  or  a fashionable  public  opinion. 
No  one  is  the  Magnus  Apollo  to  the  frontier  man.  He  is 
the  Magnus  Apollo  to  himself.  Nullius  addictus  jurare  in 
verba  magistri,  is  his  motto.  Free  investigation,  and  inde- 
pendent thinking,  were  prominent  characteristics  of  the.  bor- 
der settlements  in  Tennessee.  There  were  men  in  the  Con- 
ventions and  Legislatures  of  Franklin,  of  the  Territorial 
Government,  and  of  Tennessee,  who  could  not  read  ; and  yet 
most,  if  not  all  of  them,  were  men  of  strong  mental  pow- 
ers, great  good  sense,  extensive,  if  not  profound  knowl- 
edge, and  remarkable  for  their  shrewdness  and  sagacity. 
Intellects  not  disciplined  by  books,  routine  instructions  and 
scholastic  rules  ; but  trained  by  the  least  imperfect  teacher — 
a constant  intercourse  with  man,  and  an  examination  into 
the  relations  arising  from  the  condition  of  society.  Go- 
vernor Blount,  whose  position  and  attainments  gave  him 
the  most  ample  opportunity  to  form  accurate  opinions  on 
this  subject,  felt  no  unwillingness  to  consult  the  least  learned 
of  the  Territorial  Assembly,  as  to  the  policy  of  his  adminis- 
tration. “ That  old  man,”  said  he,  “ is  strong-minded,  wise, 
and  well-informed,  if  he  can  not  read.”  Another  has  said, 
speaking  of  the  frontier  man  : “ He  is  silent  in  manner,  em- 
barrassingly so  at  first,  extremely  accurate  in  his  observa- 
tion of  human  nature,  and  any  man  that  cannot  bear  to  be 
scrutinized  had  better  not  come  here.  He  judges  much  by 
the  eye,  and  has  a most  enviable  power  of  estimation  ; your 
temperament,  looks,  speech  and  acts,  are  all  taken  in  by 
him  ; and  if  you  can  get  a tablet  of  his  judgment,  you  will 
find  a remarkable  daguerreotype  of  your  exact  worth  writ- 
ten. They  are  phrenologists  and  physiognomists,  not  merely 
as  philosophers,  but  as  practical  appliers  of  those  inductive 


BY  FRONTIER  PEOPLE. 


735 


sciences  ; and  beneath  a show  of  positive  laziness  or  languor, 
there  is  an  amount  of  energy  and  action,  mental  and  physi- 
cal, perfectly  surprising.” 

Oral  instruction,  as  alluded  to  above,  we  do  not  confine  to 
one  only,  of  its  manifestations.  Besides  that,  in  the  family  or 
in  the  neighbourhood,  was  the  Debating  Club,  the  Forum,  the 
Tribune,  the  Legislative  Hall,  and  the  Hustings.  As  all  had 
the  leisure,  so  no  one  lacked  the  disposition  to  avail  himself 
of  each  of  these  agencies,  to  acquire  information.  Returning 
from  them  to  his  quiet  cabin,  the  theme  was  there  introduced, 
and  the  argument  resumed  by  the  frontier  man  and  his  sons.  A 
searching  analysis  was  there  made  of  every  position  taken, 
and  every  argument  offered  ; and  with  unlettered  logic, 
and  with  an  original  ratiocination,  a judgment  was  attained 
upon  the  subject  examined.  Men  educated  in  the  schools, 
wei’e  then,  as  they  still  are,  surprised  at  the  amount  of  infor- 
mation, and  the  reasoning  powers  exhibited,  in  the  humble 
dwellings  of  the  obscurest  neighbourhoods,  upon  subjects 
supposed  to  be  beyond  their  reach. 

Moral  education  upon  the  frontier  was  conducted  with  lit- 
tle of  the  advantages  which  result  from  the  institutions  of 
religion  and  piety.  The  pulpit  and  the  congregational  orga- 
nizations which  accompanied  it,  were  wanting.  This  great 
deficit  was,  upon  that  account,  supplied  the  more  earnestly, 
by  other  instrumentalities.  It  created  the  necessity,  more 
especially  for  the  conscientious  parent,  to  exercise  the  great 
moral  power  of  the  parental  office,  of  the  family  and  the 
family  altar,  the  home  and  home  influence ; these  were  all 
brought  to  bear  upon  infancy  and  childhood,  in  their  plastic 
forming  state.  As  has  been  well  remarked  by  another, 
“there  is  not  a more  gigantic  moral*  power  committed  to 
creatures  upon  earth,  perhaps  not  in  the  Universe,  than  the 
power  of  the  parent  over  the  child,  because  it  lies  back  of 
all  other  sources  of  influence.  To  the  parents  are  committed 
the  fresh  materials,  untouched  by  any  human  hand,  out  of 
which  the  whole  physical,  moral  and  intellectual  character 
of  the  nation,  is  to  be  manufactured  for  good  or  for  evil. 
Every  parent,  every  home,  is  an  educator  for  the  country. 

* Rer.  L.  J.  Halsej. 


736 


MORAL  TRAINING  AT  THE  FIRESIDE. 


Through  his  child,  the  parent  has  a channel  of  influence,  an 
open  door  of  communication  with  the  world  and  with  pos- 
terity, through  which  he  is  forming  the  character  and  shaping 
the  destiny  of  his  country.”  This  great  duty  became  doubly 
imperative  in  the  new  settlements.  The  pulpit,  the  school- 
house,  the  press,  were  not  there  to  divide  with  the  parent,  the 
fearful  responsibility  of  the  moral  training  of  the£young.  He 
was  the  priest  of  his  own  household.  The  duty  could  not  be 
transferred  to  another.  The  great  lessons  of  truth,  honour, 
probity,  virtue,  honesty,  public  spirit  and  self-reliance,  were 
taught  and  inculcated  at  the  fireside,  with  all  the  freshness 
of  a personal  interest,  and  with  all  the  sanction,  authority 
and  affection  of  the  parental  relation.  None  could  have  as- 
sumed this  duty  with  a higher  propriety.  They  could  be 
discharged  by  no  others  with  greater  fidelity  or  success. 

The  enumeration  of  the  traits  of  character  which  belonged 
to  frontier  life  might  be  much  enlarged.  We  should  like  to 
dwell  here  a little  upon  the  enthusiasm,  vivacity,  shrewd- 
ness and  self-respect  of  the  Tennessee  frontier  man,  but  we 
can  only  mention  two  others.  An  unostentatious  hospitality 
characterizes  the  backwoodsmen.  It  begins  in  the  wilderness 
where  a fellow  huntsman  has  lost  a butcher  knife.  His  less 
unfortunate  comrade  breaks  his  own  in  two,  and  gives  the 
one  half  to  the  other.  Has  one  lost  his  ammunition?  the 
other  cuts  his  bar  of  lead,  and  divides  it  and  his  remaining 
powder,  with  his  companion,  before  they  separate.  Emi- 
grant families,  on  their  way  through  the  wilderness,  intro- 
duced and  practised  this  considerate  regard  for  the  conve- 
nience of  others.  The  last  duty,  at  breaking  up  camp,  when 
setting  out  on  a day’s  journey,  was  carefully  to  cover  over 
the  coals  and  chumps  of  burning  wood,  remaining  of  their 
camp  fire,  that  those  succeeding  them  the  following  eve- 
ning, at  the  same  spring  or  water  course,  might  have  the 
facility  of  starting  a fire,  without  delay,  on  their  arrival  at 
it.  In  inclement  weather,  this  was  a kindness  which  none 
but  emigrants  can  duly  appreciate.  Does  the  settler  de- 
scry from  his  cabin  door  a stranger  riding  near  it  ? He 
goes  to  meet  him,  asks  him  to  come  in  and  spend  a night. 
The  family  makes  him  welcome,  attends  to  all  his  wants,  an- 


CHARACTER  AND  STATE  PRIDE  OF  THE  TENNESSEAN. 


737 


ticipates  what  may  add  to  his  comfort,  and  never  allows  him 
to  depart  without  exacting  a promise  that  he  will  come  again 
and  stay  a week  on  his  return.  Does  a neighbour  casually 
approach  his  door?  He  is  not  allowed  to  go  further  till  he 
alights,  partakes  of  some  refreshments,  and  becomes  ac- 
quainted  with  the  inmates  of  the  humble  household.  Is  a 
neighbour  sick — are  his  fields  in  consequence  unworked,  and 
likely  to  furnish  no  crop?  A day  is  set,  the  neighbours  as- 
semble, distribute  the  work  amongst  themselves,  plough  and 
hoe  the  corn,  gather  his  harvest,  haul  his  wood,  send  a mes- 
senger for  the  physician,  and  day  and  night  administer  to  his 
necessities,  and  soothe  his  sufferings  and  watch  around  his 
sick  couch.  Oh,  such  sympathy  and  kindness  is  itself  cura- 
tive and  remedial;  and  makes  us  think  better  of  ourselves 
and  of  unsophisticated  and  artless  human  nature  ! It  is  an 
Oasis  in  the  desert,  a green  spot  in  the  contemplation  of  early 
times  in  Tennessee,  which  it  is  delightful  to  witness  and  re- 
member. Growth,  and  progress,  and  art,  have,  in  some  places, 
obliterated  these  beautiful  and  amiable  features  of  our  earlier 
society  ; enough  still  remains,  to  excite  a regret  that  they  are 
less  general,  and  less  appreciated  than  in  the  infancy  of  the 
country. 

Another  trait,  and  the  last  we  can  mention  in  the  charac- 
ter of  the  frontier  man,  is  his  lofty  State  pride.  This  is  not 
a sentiment  only  ; with  him  it  became  a passion.  The  Ten- 
nessee pioneer  can  be  exceeded  by  none  in  fondness  for  and 
admiration  of  his  own  country.  His  valour  acquired — his 
enterprise  subdued  it.  It  has  become  the  idol  of  his  heart, 
the  home  of  plenty,  of  quiet  and  security.  Its  greatness 
excites  his  admiration,  its  beauty  his  pride,  its  character  his 
enthusiasm  ; its  unstained  escutcheon  is  the  theme  of  his 
boast  and  glory.  If  he  leaves  the  hills  and  plains,  the  moun- 
tains and  valleys,  and  rivers  of  his  own  country,  like  the 
Swiss,  he  remembers  them  with  affection  and  a melancholy 
pleasure.  In  all  his  wanderings,  in  success  and  in  triumph 
alike,  as  in  solitude  and  disaster,  his  thoughts  are  turned 
constantly  upon  Tennessee  and  his  early  home — he  invokes 
a blessing  upon  the  Fatherland,  and  heaves  the  sigh  of  re- 
gret that  he  left  it,  and  cannot  be  interred  beneath  its  soil. 

47 


APPENDIX 


Names  and  date  of  erection  of  the  Counties  in  the  State  of  Tennessee , 
and  by  what  authority  erected,  and  remarks. 


NAMES. 

DATE. 

BY  WHAT  AUTHORITY. 

REMARKS. 

Washington, 

Nov., 

1777. 

North-Carolina. 

Taken  off  Wilkes  and  Burke 

Sullivan, 

October,  1779. 

it  it 

counties,  N.  C. 
Off  Washington. 

Greene, 

April, 

1783. 

it  ti 

Off  Washington. 

Davidson, 

April, 

1783. 

it  it 

Off  Greene  ; or,  rather,  off 

Sumner, 

Nov., 

1786. 

a it 

part  of  Greene. 

Off  East  end  of  Davidson — 

Hawkins, 

Nov., 

178G. 

« « 

that  is  E.  of  Stone’s  river. 
Off  Sullivan. 

Tennessee, 

Nov.,  1788. 

« « 

Off  Davidson  : this  county, 

Jefferson, 

* 

June  11,  1792. 

By  Ordinance  of ) 

when  the  State  of  Tennes- 
see was  named,  gave  up 
its  name.  These  seven 
counties  were  erected  prior 
to  the  cession,  in  1789,  by 
N.  Carolina,  of  her  western 
territory. 

Off  Greene  and  Hawkins. 

Knox, 

June  11,  1792. 

the  Governor.  ) 

Off  Greene  and  Hawkins. 

Knox,  extended, 
Sevier, 

1798. 
Sept.  27,  1794. 

By  Tenn.  Assembly. 
Territorial  Assembly. 

Taken  off  Jefferson. 

Blount, 

July, 

1795. 

Off  Knox — these  were  the 

Carter, 

April, 

1796. 

Tennessee  Assembly. 

only  two  counties  erected 
by  the  Territorial  Assem- 
bly, the  several  other  coun- 
ties of  the  State  were 
erected  by  the  Legislature 
of  Tennessee. 

Taken  off  Washington, 

Grainger, 

April, 

1796. 

((  ft 

Off  Hawkins  and  Knox. 

Montgomery, 

April, 

1796. 

a it 

Formed  out  of  part  of  Ten- 

Robertson, 

April, 

1796. 

tt  a 

nessee  county. 

ti  it  it 

Cocke, 

October,  1797. 

tt  a 

Taken  off  Jefferson. 

Smith, 

October,  1799. 

t:  tt 

Off  Sumner. 

Wilson, 

October,  1799. 

tt  tt 

Off  Sumner. 

Williamson, 

October,  1799. 

tt  tt 

Off  Davidson. 

740 


APPENDIX. 


BOUNDARIES  OF  COUNTIES. 

Washington  County  was  laid  off  Nov.,  1777,  with  the  following 
boundaries:  Beginning  at  the  north-westwardly  point  of  the  County 

of  Wilkes,  in  the  Virginia  line;  thence,  with  the  line  of  Wilkes  County, 
to  a point  twenty-six  miles  south  of  the  Virginia  line;  thence,  due  west 
to  the  ridge  of  the  Great  Iron  Mountain,  which,  heretofore,  divided  the 
hunting-grounds  of  the  Overhill  Cherokees,  from  those  of  the  Middle 
Settlements  and  Vallies;  thence,  running  a southwardly  course  along 
the  said  ridge,  to  the  Uneca  Mountain,  where  the  trading-path  crosses 
the  same,,  from  the  Valley  to  the  Overhills;  thence,  south,  with  the 
line  of  this  State  adjoining  the  State  of  'South-Carolina ; thence,  due 
west  to  the  great  River  Mississippi ; thence,  up  the  same  river  to  a 
point  due  west  from  the  beginning. 

Sullivan  County  is  made  to  begin  on  the  Steep  Rock;  thence,  along 
the  dividing  ridge  that  separates  the  waters  of  the  Great  Kenhawa  and 
Tennessee  (?)  to  the  head  of  Indian  Creek;  thence,  along  the  ridge  that 
divides  the  waters  of  Holston  and  Watauga;  thence,  a direct  line  to  the 
highest  part  of  the  Chimney-Top  Mountain,  at  the  Indian  boundary. 
Sullivan  County  is  that  part  of  Washington,  which  lately  was  north 
of  this  line. 

The  line  dividing  Washington  from  Greene,  began  at  William  Wil- 
liams’s, in  the  fork  of  Horse  Creek,  at  the  foot  of  the  Iron  Mountain; 
thence,  a direct  course  to  George  Gillespie’s  house,  at  or  near  the 
mouth  of  Big  Limestone;  thence,  a north  course  to  the  line  which 
divides  the  Counties  of  Washington  and  Sullivan ; thence,  with  the 
said  line  to  the  Chimney-Top  Mountain  ; thence,  a direct  course  to  the 
mouth  of  Cloud’s  Creek,  on  Holston  River.  That  part  of  Washington 
which  lay  to  the  west  of  this  line,  was,  thenceforward,  to  be  the  County 
of  Greene. 

Davidson  County. — The  boundaries  of  Davidson  county  were  as  fol- 
low: Beginning  on  the  top  of  Cumberland  Mountain,  where  the 

Virginia  line  crosses  it ; extending  westwardly  along  said  line  to  the 
Tennessee  River;  thence,  up  said  river  to  the  mouth  of  Duck  River; 
thence,  up  Duck  River,  to  where  the  line  of  marked  trees  run  by  the 
Commissioners  for  laying  off  the  land  granted  to  the  Continental  line  of 
North-Carolina  intersects  said  river,  which  sail  line  is  supposed  to  be 
in  thirty-five  degrees,  fifty  minutes,  north  latitude ; thence,  east,  along 
said  line  to  the  top  of  Cumberland  Mountain;  thence,  northwardly, 
along  said  line  to  the  beginning. 

Sumner  County. — The  line  of  division  began  where  the  county  line 
crosses  the  west  fork  of  Stone’s  River  ; thence,  a direct  line  to  the  mouth 
of  Drake’s  Lick  Creek  ; thence,  down  Cumberland  River  to  the  mouth 
of  Kasper’s  Creek  ; thence,  up  said  creek  to  the  head  of  the  War  Trace 
Fork : thence,  a northwardly  course  to  the  Virginia  line,  at  a point 
that  will  leave  Red  River  Old  Station  one  mile  to  the  east.  That  part 
of  Davidson  County  that  lay  east  of  this  line,  was  to  belong  to  Sum- 
ner County. 


APPENDIX. 


741 


Hawkins  County  was  formed  by  dividing  Sullivan.  The  divisional 
line  began  where  the  boundary  line  between  Virginia  and  North- Caro- 
lina crosses  the  North  Fork  of  Holston  ; thence,  down  said  fork  to  its 
junction  with  the  main  Holston;  thence,  across  said  river,  due  south, 
to  the  top  of  Bay’s  Mountain;  thence,  along  the  top  of  said  mountain 
to  the  top  of  the  dividing  ridge  between  the  waters  of  the  Holston 
and  French  Broad,  to  its  junction  with  Holston  River ; thence,  down 
the  said  River  Holston  to  its  junction  with  the  Tennessee  ; thence,  down 
the  same  to  the  Suck,  where  said  river  runs  through  the  Cumberland 
Mountain  ; thence,  along  the  top  of  said  mountain  to  the  aforesaid 
boundary  line,  and  thence  along  said  line  to  the  beginning.  All  that 
part  of  the  territory  lying  west  of  the  north  fork  of  Holston,  was  erected 
into  the  county  of  Hawkins. 

Tennessee  County. — Beginning  on  the  Virginia  line  ; thence,  south, 
along  Sumner  County  to  the  dividing  ridge  between  Cumberland  River 
and  Red  River;  thence,  westwardly,  along  said  ridge  to  the  head  of 
the  main  south  branch  of  Sycamore  Creek  ; thence,  down  the  said 
branch  to  the  mouth  thereof;  thence,  due  south  across  Cumberland 
River  to  Davidson  County  line.  All  that  part  of  Davidson  County, 
west  of  this  line,  was  erected  into  a county  called  Tennessee. 

Jefferson  County. — The  line  follows.  Beginning  on  Nollichuckv 
River  at  the  place  where  the  ridge,  which  divides  the  waters  of  Bent 
and  Lick  Creek,  strikes  it ; thence,  with  that  ridge  to  Bull’s  Gap  of 
Bay’s  Mountain ; thence,  a direct  line  to  the  place  where  the  road 
that  leads  from  Dodson’s  Ford  to  Perkin’s  Iron  Works,  crosses  the 
watery  fork  of  Bent  Creek ; thence,  down  that  road  to  the  head  of 
Panther  Creek  ; down  the  meanders  of  that  creek  to  the  River  Hol- 
ston : thence,  a north-west  course  to  the  River  Clinch.  Again  : from 
Nollichucky  River,  where  the  ridge  that  divides  the  waters  of  Bent  and 
Lick  Creek  strikes  it,  a direct  course  to  Peter  Fine’s  Ferry,  on  French 
Broad;  thence,  south,  to  the  ridge  that  divides  the  waters  of  French 
Broad  and  Big  Pigeon,  and,  with  said  ridge,  to  the  eastern  boundary  of 
the  territory.  Southward  and  westward  of  the  line  thus  described, 
two  new  counties  were  to  be  established.  The  one,  Jefferson  County, 
to  be  butted  and  bounded  by  the  above  line,  from  the  eastern  boundary 
of  the  territory,  to  the  River  Holston,  and  down  that  stream  to  the 
mouth  of  Creswell’s  Mill  Creek  ; thence,  a direct  line  to  the  mouth  of 
Dumplin  Creek,  on  French  Broad  ; thence,  up  the  meanders  of  French 
Broad,  to  the  mouth  of  Boyd's  Creek ; thence,  south,  twenty-five  de- 
grees east,  to  the  ridge  which  divides  the  waters  of  Little  Pigeon  and 
Boyd’s  Creek ; and,  with  the  said  ridge,  to  the  Indian  boundary,  or  the 
eastern  bounding  of  the  territory,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  by  the  east- 
ern boundary. 

Knox  County. — The  other  county,  Knox,  to  be  butted  and  bound- 
ed by  the  lines  of  Jefferson  county,  from  the  mouth  of  Creswell’s 
Mill  Creek,  to  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  territory,  or  the  Indian  boun- 
dary, as  the  case  may  be.  Again  : from  the  mouth  of  the  said  Creek, 
up  the  meanders  of  the  River  Holston,  to  the  mouth  of  Panther  Creek  ; 
thence,  north-west,  to  the  River  Clinch  ; thence,  by  the  River  Clinch 
to  the  place  where  the  line  that  shall  cross  Holston  at  the  ridge  that 


742 


APPENDIX. 


divides  the  waters  of  Little  River  and  Tennessee,  according  to  the  treaty 
of  Holston,  shall  strike  it,  and  by  that  line. 

Extension  of  Limits  of  Knox  County. — In  consequence  of  the  ces- 
sion of  Cherokee  lands  at  the  Tellico  Treaty,  the  Knox  county  line  was 
extended  from  the  end  of  Clinch  Mountain  “a  north-west  course  to 
Clinch  River  ; down  that  river,  opposite  the  end  of  the  Cross  Moun- 
tain ; thence,  with  said  mountain,  to  the  Indian  boundary  at  Cumber- 
land Mountain,  and  with  the  Cumberland  Mountain,  agreeable  to  the 
Treaty  of  Tellico,  to  Emery’s  River  ; thence,  down  its  meanders  to  the 
River  Clinch,  and  down  the  same  to  the  point  where  the  line  of  the 
said  treaty  strikes  it,  and  with  that  line  to  the  Tennessee  ; thence,  up 
the  meanders  of  the  same  to  the  point  formed  by  the  junction  of  the 
Holston  therewith ; thence,  up  the  meanders  of  the  Holston,  on  the 
south  side,  to  the  mouth  of  Little  River. 

Sevier  County. — Beginning  on  the  eastern  boundary  of  this  terri- 
tory ; from  thence,  a direct  line  to  the  ridge  that  divides  the  waters 
of  Little  from  the  waters  of  Big  Pigeon ; thence,  along  the  same  to 
the  head  of  Muddy  Creek  ; thence,  a direct  line  to  the  lower  end  of  an 
island  in  French  Broad  River,  formerly  known  by  the  name  of  Hub- 
bert’s  Island  ; thence,  a direct  line  to  the  mouth  of  Creswell’s  Mill 
Creek  ; thence,  with  the  Knox  County  line  to  the  top  of  Bay’s  Moun- 
tain ; thence,  along  the  said  mountain,  to  where  the  French  Broad  runs 
through  the  same;  thence,  along  the  said  mountain,  and  with  the  ex- 
treme height  thereof,  to  the  place  where  the  ridge  dividing  the  waters 
of  French  Broad  from  those  of  Little  River,  intersects  the  same ; thence, 
with  said  ridge  to  the  Pigeon  Mountain  ; thence,  along  said  mountain 
to  the  Indian  boundary,  and  with  the  same  to  the  eastern  boundary  of 
the  territory ; thence,  to  the  beginning. 

Blount  County. — The  line  began  on  the  south  side  of  the  River 
Holston,  at  the  mouth  of  Little  River;  thence,  up  its  meanders,  on  the 
south  side,  to  the  mouth  of  Stock  Creek  ; thence,  up  its  meanders,  on 
the  south  side,  to  the  head  of  Nicholas  Bartlett’s  mill-pond,  at  high  water; 
thence,  a direct  line  to  the  top  of  Bay’s  Mountain,  leaving  the  house  of 
James  Willis  to  the  right,  within  forty  rods  of  the  same  line  ; thence, 
along  Bay’s  Mountain,  to  the  line  of  Sevier  County  ; thence,  with  that 
line,  to  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  territory  ; thence,  southwardly,  to 
the  line  of  the  Indian  boundary,  according  to  the  Treaty  of  Holston, 
and  with  that  line,  to  the  River  Holston,  and  up  its  meanders,  on  the 
south  side,  to  the  beginning. 

Carter  County. — Beginning  on  the  North-Carolina  line,  at  a point 
from  which  a line,  to  be  drawn  due  north,  will  strike  the  house  of 
George  Haines ; thence,  the  nearest  direction  to  the  top  of  Buffalo 
Mountain ; thence,  along  the  heights  of  the  said  mountain,  to  the  high 
knob  on  the  same,  near  the  north  end  thereof ; thence,  a direct  line  to 
the  house  where  Jonathan  Tipton,  Jr.,  now  lives,  leaving  said  house  in 
Washington  County ; thence,  a direct  line,  to  the  south  bank  of  Wa- 
tauga River,  at  Jeremiah  Dugan’s  Ford  ; thence,  due  north,  to  the  Sulli- 
van line.  All  the  territory,  east  of  this  boundary,  was  established  as 
Carter  County. 

Grainger  County. — Beginning  on  the  Main  Road,  leading  from  Bull’s 


APPENDIX. 


743 


Gap  to  Haine’s  iron  works,  on  Mossy  Creek,  at  the  house  of  Felps 
Eead ; running  a direct  course  to  the  Kentucky  road,  on  the  north  side 
of  Holston  River:  thence,  north,  fifty  degrees  west,  to  the  Virginia 
line  ; thence,  west,  with  said  line,  to  a point  north-west  of  the  end  of 
Clinch  Mountain  ; thence,  a direct  course,  to  the  end  of  Clinch  Moun- 
tain ; thence,  with  the  ridge  that  divides  the  waters  of  Richland  and 
Flat  Creek,  to  Holston  River,  at  the  upper  end  of  the  first  bluff  above 
Boyle’s  old  place  ; thence,  up  the  meanders  of  the  river  to  the  mouth 
of  Panther  Creek  ; thence,  up  said  creek  to  the  head  spring  thereof, 
near  the  house  of  John  EvaDs ; thence,  along  the  main  wagon  road,  to 
the  beginning. 

Montgomery  and  Robertson  Counties  were  formed  out  of  Tennessee 
County,  by  a line  beginning  at  the  upper  end  of  the  first  bluff,  above 
James  McFarlin’s,  on  Red  River,  near  Allen’s  cabins  ; running  from 
thence,  a direct  course  to  the  Sulphur  Fork,  a quarter  of  a mile  below 
Elias’s  Forts ; thence,  up  the  creek,  as  it  meanders  to  the  mouth  of 
Brush  Creek  ; thence,  up  the  same,  as  it  meanders  to  the  head ; thence, 
a direct  course  to  the  Davidson  County  line,  at  the  mouth  of  Sycamore 
Creek  ; thence,  with  the  Davidson  line,  up  said  creek,  to  the  Sumner 
County  line;  thence,  with  the  extreme  height  of  the  dividing  ridge, 
eastwardly,  to  the  Kentucky  road,  leading  from  Nashville  ; thence, 
northwardly,  with  said  road,  to  the  Kentucky  State  line  ; thence,  west, 
with  said  line,  to  such  place  as  a south-east  course,  leaving  Joseph 
French  in  the  lower  county,  will  strike  the,  beginning.  Within  this 
boundary  was  established  the  new  County  of  Robertson.  The  remain- 
ing part  of  Tennessee  County  was  to  become  a separate  county,  by  the 
name  of  Montgomery. 

Cocke  County. — Beginning  on  the  North-Carolina  boundary,  on  the 
south  side  of  French  Broad  River,  one  mile  from  said  river  ; thence, 
down  the  river,  one  mile,  to  where  it  intersects  the  line  of  Greene 
County  ; thence,  with  that  line,  to  Nollichucky  River,  a small  distance 
below  Captain  William  White’s  house;  thence,  down  the  said  river,  to 
French  Broad,  leaving  all  the  islands  to  Jefferson  County  ; thence,  down 
French  Broad,  in  the  same  manner,  to  the  bent  of  said  river,  opposite 
Colonel  Parmenas  Taylor’s  ; and,  from  thence,  a direct  line,  to  the  top 
of  English’s  Mountain,  within  one  mile  of  Sevier  County  line  ; thence, 
parallel  with  that  line,  to  the  uppermost  house  on  Cozby’s  Creek;  and, 
from  thence,  an  easterly  line,  to  a point  on  the  boundary  line  ot  North- 
Carolina,  as  to  leave  six  hundred  and  twenty-five  square  miles  in  Jeffer- 
son County  ; and,  from  thence,  with  the  North-Carolina  line,  to  the 
beginning. 

Smith  County. — Beginning  upon  the  south  bank  of  Cumberland 
River,  at  the  south  end  of  the  eastern  boundary  of  Sumner  County  ; 
thence,  north,  with  the  said  eastern  boundary,  to  the  northern  boun- 
dary of  the  State ; and,  with  the  said  boundary,  east,  to  where  it  is 
intersected  by  the  Cherokee  boundary  ; thence,  with  that  boundary,  to 
the  Cany  Fork  of  Cumberland  River;  thence,  with  said  fork,  according 
to  its  meanders,  to  the  mouth  thereof ; thence,  down  the  south  bank  of 
Cumberland  River,  according  to  its  meanders,  to  the  beginning. 

Wilson  County. — Beginning  upon  the  south  bank  of  the  River 


744 


APPENDIX. 


Cumberland,  at  low  water  mark,  at  the  mouth  of  Drake’s  Lick  Branch, 
the  north-eastern  corner  of  Davidson  County ; thence,  with  the  line  of 
Davidson  County,  to  the  Cherokee  boundary,  and,  with  said  boundary, 
to  the  Cany  Fork  ; and,  down  the  Cany  Fork,  according  to  its  mean- 
ders, to  the  mouth  thereof;  thence,  down  the  meanders  of  Cumberland 
River,  by  the  south  bank,  to  the  beginning. 

Williamson  County. — Beginning  at  a point  forty  poles  due  north  of 
the  dwelling-house  of  Thomas  McCrory,  on  the  waters  of  Little  Har- 
peth  ; running,  thence,  east,  two  miles  and  one  hundred  and  four  poles; 
thence,  south,  seventy  degrees,  east,  sixteen  miles  and  two  hundred  and 
seventy  poles  ; thence,  due  east  sixteen  miles  and  two  hundred  and 
seventy  poles  ; thence,  due  south  to  the  Indian  boundary  ; thence,  with 
said  line,  westwardly,  to  the  Robertson  County  line ; thence,  with  that 
line,  north,  to  a point  due  west  from  the  mouth  of  Little  Harpeth ; 
thence,  a direct  line  to  a point  on  South  Harpeth,  south-west  from  the 
mouth  of  said  Little  Harpeth ; thence,  north-east,  to  the  mouth  of  said 
little  Harpeth  ; thence,  a direct  line  to  the  beginning. 


Tt 


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THE  ENGRAVINGS 

in  this  volume,  it  is  believed,  will  form  no  small  part  of  its  attractions.  No  pains  have  been  spared 
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cannot  be  urged  against  the  pictorial  illustrations  of  this  volume.  Here  the  fine  arts  are  made 
subservient  to  utility,  the  landscape  views  being,  without  an  exception,  matter-of-fact  views  of  places 
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mentators. 

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text.  Besides  the  general  introduction,  containing  valuable  essays  on  the  genuineness,  authenticity, 
and  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  other  topics  of  interest,  there  are  introductory  and  con- 
cluding remarks  to  each  book — a table  of  the  contents  of  the  Bible,  by  which  the  different  portions 
are  so  arranged  as  to  read  in  an  historical  order. 

Arranged  at  the  top  of  each  page  is  the  period  in  which  the  prominent  events  of  sacred  history 
took  place.  The  calculations  are  made  for  the“year  of  the  world  before  and  after  Christ,  Julian 
Period,  the  year  of  the  Olympiad,  the  year  of  the  building  of  Rome,  and  other  notations  of  time. 
At  the  close  is  inserted  a Chronological  Index  of  the  Bible,  according  to  the  computation  of  Arch- 
bishop Ussher.  Also,  a full  and  valuable  index  of  the  subjects  contained  in  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, with  a careful  analysis  and  arrangement  of  texts  under  their  appropriate  subjects. 

Mr.  Greenfield,  the  editor  of  this  work,  and  for  some  time  previous  to  his  death  the  superintend- 
ent of  the  editorial  department  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  was  a most  extraordinary 
man.  In  editing  the  Comprehensive  Bible,  his  varied  and  extensive  learning  was  called  into  suc- 
cessful exercise,  and  appears  in  happy  combination  with  sincere  piety  and  a sound  judgment.  The 
Editor  of  the  Christian  Observer,  alluding  to  this  work,  in  an  obituary  notice  of  its  author,  speaks 
of  it  as  a work  of  “ prodigious  labour  and  research,  at  once  exhibiting  his  varied  talents  and  pro- 
found erudition.” 

LIPPINCOTT’S  EDITION  OF 

THE  OXFORD  QUARTO  BIBLE, 

The  Publishers  have  spared  neither  care  nor  expense  in  their  edition  of  the  Bible;  it  is  printed 
on  the  finest  white  vellum  paper,  with  large  and  beautiful  type,  and  bound  in  the  most  substantial 
and  splendid  manner,  in  the  following  styles:  Velvet,  with  richly  gilt  ornaments;  Turkey  super 
extra,  with  gilt  clasps ; and  in  numerous  others,  to  suit  the  taste  of  the  most  fastidious. 

OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

° In  our  opinion,  the  Christian  public  generally  will  feed  under  great  obligations  to  the  publishers 
of  this  work  for  the  beautiful  taste,  arrangement,  and  delicate  neatness  with  which  they  have  got 
it  out.  The  intrinsic  merit  of  the  Bible  recommends  itself;  it  needs  no  tinsel  ornament  to  adorn 
its  sacred  pages.  In  this  edition  every  superfluous  ornament  has  been  avoided,  and  we  have  pre- 
sented us  a perfectly  chaste  specimen  of  the  Bible,  without  note  or  comment.  It  appears  to  be  just 
what  is  needed  in  every  family — ‘the  unsophisticated  word  of  God.’ 

“The  size  is  quarto,  printed  with  beautiful  type,  on  white,  sized  vellum  paper,  of  the  finest  texture 
and  most  beautiful  surface.  The  publishers  seem  to  have  been  solicitous  to  make  a perfectly 
unique  book,  and  they  have  accomplished  the  object  very  successfully.  We  trust  that  a liberal 
community  will  afford  them  ample  remuneration  for  all  the  expense  and  outlay  they  have  necessa- 
rily incurred  in  its  publication.  It  is  a standard  Bible. 

“The  publishers  are  Messrs.  Lippincott,  Grambo  & Co.,  No.  14  North  Fourth  street,  Philadel- 
phia.” — Baptist  Record. 

“A  beautiful  quarto  edition  of  the  Bible,  by  L.,  G.  <fe  Co.  Nothing  can  exceed  the  type  in  clear- 
ness and  beauty;  the  paper  is  of  the  finest  texture,  and  the  whole  execution  is  exceedingly  neat. 
No  illustrations' or  ornamental  type  are  used.  Those  who  prefer  a Bible  executed  in  perfect  sim- 
plicity, yet  elegance  of  style,  without  adornment,  will  probably  never  find  one  more  to  their  taste.” 
— M.  Magazine. 


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Printed  in  the  best  manner,  with  beautiful  type,  on  the  finest  sized  paper,  and  bound  in  the  most 
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much  less  price.  To  be  had  with  or  without  plates;  the  publishers  having  supplied  themselves  with 
over  fifty  steel  engravings,  by  the  first  artists. 

Baxter’s  Comprehensive  Bible, 

Royal  quarto,  containing  the  various  readings  and  marginal  notes;  disquisitions  on  the  genuineness, 
authenticity,  and  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Scriptures;  introductory  and  concluding  remarks  to  each 
book;  philological  and  explanatory  notes;  table  of  contents,  arranged  in  historical  order;  a chro- 
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Sabbath-school  teachers,  and  st  udents. 

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minations, 815  00  to  825  00. 

The  Oxford  Quarto  Bible, 

Without  note  or  comment,  universally  admitted  to  be  the  most  beautiful  Bible  extant. 

In  neat  plain  binding,  from  84  00  to  $5  00.  — In  Turkey  morocco,  extra,  gilt  edges,  $8  00  to  $12  00. 
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Crown  Octavo  Bible, 

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ments, 83  50  to  88  00. 

• Agate  32mo.  Bible, 

Printed  with  larger  type  than  any  other  small  or  pocket  edition  extant. 

In  neat  plain  binding,  from  50  cents  to  81  00.  — In  tucks,  or  pocket-book  style,  75  cents  to  81  00.— 
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gilt  clasps,  82  50  to  83  50.  — In  velvet,  with  rich  gilt  ornaments,  83  00  to  87  00. 

32mo.  Diamond  Pocket  Bible; 

The  neatest,  smallest,  and  cheapest  edition  of  the  Bible  published. 

In  neat  plain  binding,  from  30  to  50  cents.  — In  tucks,  or  pocket-book  style,  60  cents  to  81  00.— 
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gilt  clasps,  81  50  to  82  00.  — In  velvet,  with  richly  gilt  ornaments,  82  50  to  86  00. 

CONSTANTLY  ON  HAND, 

A large  assortment  of  BIBLES,  bound  in  the  most  splendid  and  costly  styles,  with  gold  and  silver 
ornaments,  suitable  for  presentation;  ranging  in  price  from  810  00  to  8100  00. 

A liberal  discount  made  to  Booksellers  and  Agents  by  the  Publishers. 


ENCYCL0P/ED1A  OF  RELIGIOUS  KNOWLEDGE; 

OR,  DICTIONARY  OF  THE  BIBLE,  THEOLOGY,  RELIGIOUS  BIOGRAPHY,  ALL  RELIGIONS, 
ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY,  AND  MISSIONS. 

Designed  as  a complete  Book  of  Reference  on  all  Religious  Subjects,  and  Companion  to  the  Bible; 
forming  a cheap  and  compact  Library  of  Religious  Knowledge.  Edited  by  Rev.  J.  Newton  Brown. 
Illustrated  by  wood-cuts,  maps,  and  engravings  on  copper  and  steel.  In  one  volume,  royal  8vo. 
Price,  84  00. 


6 


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COMPREHENDING  THE  MOST  VARIED  AND  SPLENDID  ASSORTMENT  IN  THE 
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8 vo. 

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1 6mo. 

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PROPER  LESSONS. 

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i A 


A BEAUTIFUL  EDITION,  WITH  LARGE  TYPE. 

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gilt  ornaments,  83  00  to  87  00. 

THE  BIBLE  AND  PRAYER-BOOK, 

In  one  neat  and  portable  volume. 

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extra,  81  75  to  83  00.  Also,  with  clasps,  velvet,  &c.  &c. 


The  Errors  of  Modern  Infidelity  Illustrated  and  Refuted. 

BY  S.  M.  SCHWETJCKER,  A.  OT. 

In  one  volume,  12mo. ; cloth.  Just  published. 

We  cannot  but  regard  this  work,  in  whatever  light  we  view  it  in  reference  to  its  design,  as  one 
of  the  most  masterly  productions  of  the  age.  and  fitted  to  uproot  one  of  the  most  fondly  cherished 
and  dangerous  of  all  ancient  or  modern  errors.  God  must  bless  such  a work,  armed  with  his  own 
truth,  and  doing  fierce  and  successful  battle  against  black  infidelity,  which  would  bring  His  Majesty 
and  Word  down  to  the  tribunal  of  human  reason,  for  condemnation  and  annihilation.—^.  Spectator. 


LIPPINCOTT,  GRAMBO  & CO.’S  PUBLICATIONS. 

t Clugq  nf  Imttira: 

CONSISTING-  OF 

ANECDOTES  ILLUSTRATIVE  OF  THE  CHARACTER  OF  MINISTERS  OF  RELI- 
GION IN  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

BY  JOSEPH  BELCHER,  D.  D.( 

Editor  of  “The  Complete  Works  of  Andrew  Fuller,”  “Robert  Hall,”  &c. 

M This  very  interesting  and  instructive  collection  of  pleasing  and  solemn  remembrances  of  many 
pious  men,  illustrates  the  character  of  the  day  in  which  they  lived,  and  defines  the  men  more 
clearly  than  very  elaborate  essays.” — Baltimore  American. 
u We  regard  the  collection  as  highly  interesting,  and  judiciously  made.” — Presbyterian. 

JOSEPHUS’S  (FLAVIUS)  WORKS, 

FAMILY  EDITION. 

BY  THE  LATE  WILLIA3YI  WHISTON,  A.  IVT. 

FROM  THE  LAST  LONDON  EDITION,  COMPLETE. 

One  volume,  beautifully  illustrated  with  Steel  Plates,  and  the  only  readable  edition 
published  in  this  country. 

As  a matter  of  course,  every  family  in  our  country  has  a copy  of  the  Holy  Bible ; and  as  the  pre- 
sumption is  that  the  greater  portion  often  consult  its  pages,  we  take  the  liberty  of  saying  to  all  those 
that  do,  that  the  perusal  of  the  writings  of  Josephus  will  be  found  very  interesting  and  instructive. 

All  those  who  wish  to  possess  a beautiful  and  correct  copy  of  this  valuable  work,  would  do  well 
to  purchase  this  edition.  It  is  for  sale  at  all  the  principal  bookstores  in  the  United  States,  and  by 
country  merchants  generally  in  the  Southern  and  Western  States. 

Also,  the  above  work  in  two  volumes. 


BURDENS  VILLAGE  SERMONS; 

Or,  101  Plain  and  Short  Discourses  on  the  Principal  Doctrines  of  the  Gospel. 

INTENDED  FOR  THE  USE  OF  FAMILIES,  SUNDAY-SCHOOLS,  OR  COMPANIES  ASSEM- 
BLED FOR  RELIGIOUS  INSTRUCTION  IN  COUNTRY  VILLAGES. 

BY  GEORGE BURDER. 

To  which  is  added  to  each  Sermon,  a Short  Prayer,  with  some  General  Prayers  for  Families, 
Schools,  <kc.,  at  the  end  of  the  work. 

COMPLETE  IN  ONE  VOLUME,  OCTAVO. 

These  sermons,  which  are  characterized  by  a beautiful  simplicity,  the  entire  absence  of  contro- 
versy, and  a true  evangelical  spirit,  have  gone  through  many  and  large  editions,  and  been  translated 
into  several  of  the  continental  languages.  “ They  have  also  been  the  honoured  means  not  only  of 
converting  many  individuals,  but  also  of  introducing  the  Gospel  into  districts,  and  even  into  parish 
churches,  where  before  it  was  comparatively  unknown.” 

“ This  work  fully  deserves  the  immortality  it  has  attained.” 

This  is  a fine  library  edition  of  this  invaluable  work;  and  when  we  say  that  it  should  be  found  in 
the  possession  of  every  family,  we  only  reiterate  the  sentiments  and  sincere  wishes  of  all  who  take 
a deep  interest  in  the  eternal  welfare  of  mankind. 


FAMILY  PRAYERS  AND  HYMNS, 

ADAPTED  TO  FAMILY  WORSHIP, 

AND 

TABLES  FOR  THE  REGULAR  READING  OF  THE  SCRIPTURES. 

By  Rev.  S.  C.  Winchester,  A.  M., 

Late  Pastor  of  the  Sixth  Presbyterian  Church,  Philadelphia;  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Natchez,  Miss. 

One  volume,  12mo. 


8 


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ILLUSTRATED  STANDARD  POETS. 

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STYLE. 


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BYRON’S  WORKS. 

COMPLETE  IN  ONE  VOLUME,  OCTAVO. 

INCLUDING  ALL  HIS  SUPPRESSED  AND  ATTRIBUTED  POEMS ; WITH  SIX  BEAUTIFUL 
ENGRAVINGS. 

This  edition  has  been  carefully  compared  with  the  recent  London  edition  of  Mr.  Murray,  and 
made  complete  by  the  addition  of  more  than  fifty  pages  of  poems  heretofore  unpublished  in  Eng- 
land. Among  these  there  are  a number  that  have  never  appeared  in  any  American  edition;  and 
the  publishers  believe  they  are  warranted  in  saving  that  this  is  the  most  complete  edition  of  Lord 
Byron's  Poetical  Works  ever  published  in  the  United  States. 


Jjfefital  Works  of  Sirs.  ®tmans. 

Complete  in  one  volume,  octavo ; with  seven  beautiful  Engravings. 

This  is  a new  and  complete  edition,  with  a splendid  engraved  likeness  of  Mrs.  Hemans,  on  steel, 
and  contains  all  the  Poems  in  the  last  London  and  American  editions.  With  a Critical  Preface  by 
Mr.  Thatcher,  of  Boston. 

“As  no  work  in  the  English  language  can  be  commended  with  more  confidence,  it  will  argue  bad 
taste  in  a female  in  this  country  to  be  without  a complete  edition  of  the  writings  of  one  who  was 
an  honour  to  her  sex  and  to  humanity,  and  whose  productions,  from  first  to  last,  contain  no  syllable 
calculated  to  call  a blush  to  the  cheek  of  modesty  and  virtue.  There  is,  moreover,  in  Mrs.  Hemans’s 
poetry,  a moral  purity  and  a religious  feeling  which  commend  it,  in  an  especial  manner,  to  the  dis- 
criminating reader.  No  parent  or  guardian  will  be  under  the  necessity  of  imposing' restrictions 
with  regard  to  the  free  perusal  of  every  production  emanating  from  this  gifted  woman.  There 
breathes  throughout  the  whole  a most  eminent  exemption  from  impropriety  of  thought  or  diction; 
and  there  is  at  times  a pensiveness  of  tone,  a winning  sadness  in  her  more  serious  compositions, 
which  tells  of  a soul  which  has  been  lifted  from  the  contemplation  of  terrestrial  things,  to  divine 
communings  with  beings  of  a purer  world.” 


MILTON,  YOUNG,  GRAY,  BEATTIE,  AND  COLLINS’S 
POETICAL  WORKS. 

COMPLETE  IN  ONE  VOLUME,  OCTAVO. 

WITH  SIX  BEAUTIFUL  ENGRAVINGS. 


CntDjM  mA  '(Ejjnntsoifs  ^km  nttir  ^nrtiral  RTnrks. 

COMPLETE  IN  ONE  VOLUME,  OCTAVO. 

Including  two  hundred  and  fifty  Letters,  and  sundry  Poems  of  Cowper,  never  before  published  in 
this  country;  and  of  Thomson  a new  and  interesting  Memoir,  and  upwards  of  twenty 
new  Poems,  for  the  first  time  printed  from  his  own  Manuscripts,  taken  from 
a late  Edition  of  the  Aldine  Poets,  now  publislung  in  London. 

WITH  SEVEN  BEAUTIFUL  ENGRAVINGS. 

The  distinguished  Professor  Silliman,  speaking  of  this  edition,  observes : “I  am  as  much  gratified 
oy  the  elegance  and  fine  taste  of  your  edition,  as  by  the  noble  tribute  of  genius  and  moral  excel- 
lence which  these  delightful  authors  have  left  for  all  future  generations  ; and  Cowper,  especially, 
is  not  less  conspicuous  as  a true  Christian,  moralist  and  teacher,  than  as  a poet  of  great  power  and 
exquisite  taste.” 

- 9 


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THE  POETICAL  WORKS  OF  ROGERS,  CAMPBELL,  MONTGOMERY, 
LAMB,  AND  KIRKE  WHITE. 

COMPLETE  IN  ONE  VOLUME,  OCTAVO. 

WITH  SIX  BEAUTIFUL  ENGRAVINGS. 

The  beauty,  correctness,  and  convenience  of  this  favourite  edition  of  these  standard  authors  are 
so  well  known,  that  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add  a word  in  its  favour.  It  is  only  necessary  to  say, 
that  the  publishers  have  now  issued  an  illustrated  edition,  which  greatly  enhances  its  former  value. 
The  engravings  are  excellent  and  well  selected.  It  is  the  best  library  edition  extant. 


CRABBE,  HEBER,  AND  POLLOK’S  POETICAL  WORKS. 

COMPLETE  IN  ONE  VOLUME,  OCTAVO. 

WITH  SIX  BEAUTIFUL  ENGRAVINGS. 

A writer  in  the  Boston  Traveller  holds  the  following  language  with  reference  to  these  valuable 
editions : — 

“ Mr.  Editor : — I wish,  without  any  idea  of  puffing,  to  say  a word  or  two  upon  the  4 Library  of 
English  Poets’  that  is  now  published  at  Philadelphia,  by  Lippincott,  Grambo  <fc  Co.  It  is  certainly, 
taking  into  consideration  the  elegant  manner  in  which  it  is  printed,  and  the  reasonable  price  at 
which  it  is  afforded  to  purchasers,  the  best  edition  of  the  modem  British  Poets  that  has  ever  been 
published  in  this  country.  Each  volume  is  an  octavo  of  about  500  pages,  double  columns,  stereo- 
typed,  and  accompanied  with  fine  engravings  and  biographical  sketches ; and  most  of  them  are 
reprinted  from  Galignani’s  French  edition.  As  to  its  value,  we  need  only  mention  that  it  contains 
the  entire  works  of  Montgomery,  Gray.  Beattie,  Collins,  Byron,  Cowper,  Thomson,  Milton,  Young, 
Rogers,  Campbell,  Lamb,  Hemans,  Heber,  Kirke  White,  Crabbe,  the  Miscellaneous  Works  of  Gold 
smith,  and  other  masters  of  the  lyre.  The  publishers  are  doing  a great  service  by  their  publication, 
and  their  volumes  are  almost  in  as  great  demand  as  the  fashionable  novels  of  the  day ; and  they 
deserve  to  be  so : for  they  are  certainly  printed  in  a style  superior  to  that  in  which  we  have  before 
had  the  works  of  the  English  Poets.” 

No  library  can  be  considered  complete  without  a copy  of  the  above  beautiful  and  cheap  editions 
of  the  English  Poets;  and  persons  ordering  all  or  any  of  them,  will  please  say  Lippincott,  Grambo 
6i  Co.'s  illustrated  editions. 


Eceeze 


A COMPLETE 

®iriionart|  nf  |5orfim[  dtotatinna: 

COMPRISING  THE  MOST  EXCELLENT  AND  APPROPRIATE  PASSAGES  IN 
THE  OLD  BRITISH  POETS;  WITH  CHOICE  AND  COPIOUS  SELEC- 
TIONS FROM  THE  BEST  MODERN  BRITISH  AND 
AMERICAN  POETS. 

EDITED  BY  SARAH  JOSEPHA  HALE. 

As  nightingales  do  upon  glow-worms  feed, 

So  poets  live  upon  the  living  light 
Of  Nature  and  of  Beauty. 

Bailey's  Festus. 

Beautifully  illustrated  with  Engravings.  In  one  super-royal  octavo  volume,  in  various 

bindings. 

The  publishers  extract,  from  the  many  highly  complimentary  notices  of  the  above  valuable  and 
beautiful  work,  the  following: 

“ We  have  at  last  a volume  of  Poetical  Quotations  worthy  of  the  name.  It  contains  nearly  six 
hundred  octavo  pages,  carefully  and  tastefully  selected  from  all  the  home  and  foreign  authors  of 
celebrity.  It  is  invaluable  to  a writer,  while  to  the  ordinary  reader  it  presents  every  subject  at  a 
glance.” — Godey's  Lady's  Book. 

“The  plan  or  idea  of  Mrs.  Hale’s  work  is  felicitous.  It  is  one  for  which  her  fine  taste,  her  orderly 
habits  ot  mind,  and  her  long  occupation  with  literature,  has  given  her  peculiar  facilities;  and  tho- 
roughly has  she  accomplished  her  task  in  the  work  before  us.”  — Sartam's  Magazine. 

“It  is  a choice  collection  of  poetical  extracts  from  everv  English  and  American  author  worth 
perusing,  from  the  days  of  Chaucer  to  the  present  time.”  — 'Washington  Union. 

“ There  is  nothing  negative  about  this  work ; it  is  positively  good  ."—Evening  Bulletin. 

TO 


LIPPINCOTT,  GRAMBO  & CO.’S  PUBLICATIONS. 


THE  DIAMOND  EDITION  OF  BYRON. 


THE  POETICAL  WORKS  OF  LORD  BYRON, 

WITH  A SKETCH  OP  HIS  LIFE. 

COMPLETE  IN  ONE  NEAT  DUODECIMO  VOLUME,  WITH  STEEL  PLATES. 

The  type  of  this  edition  is  so  perfect,  and  it  is  printed  with  so  much  care,  on  fine  white  paper, 
that  it  can  be  read  with  as  much  ease  as  most  of  the  larger  editions.  This  work  is  to  be  had  in 
plain  and  superb  binding,  making  a beautiful  volume  for  a gift. 

“ The  Poetical  Works  of  Lord  Byron,  complete  in  one  volume  : published  by  L.,  G.  <fc  Co.,  Phila- 
delphia. We  hazard  nothing  in  saying  that,  take  it  altogether,  tins  is  the  most  elegant  work  ever 
issued  from  the  American  press. 

“ * In  a single  volume,  not  larger  than  an  ordinary  duodecimo,  the  publishers  have  embraced  the 
whole  of  Lord  Byron’s  Poems,  usually  printed  in  ten  or  twelve  volumes;  and,  what  is  more  remark- 
able, have  done  it  with  a type  so  clear  and  distinct,  that,  notwithstanding  its  necessarily  small  size, 
it  may  be  read  with  the  utmost  facility,  even  by  failing  eyes.  The  book  is  stereotyped  ; and  never 
have  we  seen  a finer  specimen  of  that  art.  Everythin?’ about  it  is  perfect  — the  paper,  the  print- 
ing, the  binding,  all  correspond  with  each  other ; and  it  is  embellished  with  two  fine  engravings, 
well  worthy  the  companionship  in  which  they  are  placed. 

“ ‘ This  will  make  a beautiful  Christmas  present.’ 

“We  extract  the  above  from  Godey’s  Lady’s  Book.  The  notice  itself,  we  are  given  to  understand, 
is  written  by  Mrs.  Hale. 

“ We  have  to  add  our  commendation  in  favour  of  this  beautiful  volume,  a copy  of  which  has 
been  sent  us  by  the  publishers.  The  admirers  of  the  noble  bard  will  feel  obliged  to  the  enterprise 
which  has  prompted  the  publishers  to  dare  a competition  with  the  numerous  editions  of  his  works 
already  in  circulation ; and  we  shall  be  surprised  if  this  convenient  travelling  edition  does  not  in  a 
great  degree  supersede  the  use  of  the  large  octavo  works,  which  have  little  advantage  in  size  and 
openness  of  type,  and  are  much  inferior  in  the  qualities  of  portability  and  lightness.”  — Intelligencer . 


THE  DIAMOND  EDITION  OF  MOORE. 

(corresponding  with  btron.) 

THE  POETICAL  WORKS  OF  THOU  AS  MOORE, 

COLLECTED  BY  HIMSELF. 

COMPLETE  IN  ONE  VOLUME. 

This  work  is  published  uniform  with  Byron,  from  the  last  London  edition,  and  is  the  most  com- 
plete printed  in  the  country. 

THE  DIAMOND  EDITION  OF  SHAKSPEARE, 

(complete  in  one  volume,) 

SKETC22  OF  33IS  X.IFS. 

UNIFORM  WITH  BYRON  AND  MOORE. 

THE  ABOVE  WORKS  CAN  BE  HAD  IN  SEVERAL  VARIETIES  OF  BINDING. 

GOLDSMITH’S  ANIMATED  NATURE. 

IN  TWO  VOLUMES,  OCTAVO. 

BEAUTIFULLY  ILLUSTRATED  WITH  385  PLATES. 

CONTAINING  A HISTORY  OF  THE  EARTH,  ANIMALS,  BIRDS,  AND  FISHES;  FORMING 
THE  MOST  COMPLETE  NATURAL  HISTORY  EVER  PUBLISHED. 

This  is  a work  that  should  be  in  the  library  of  every  family,  having  been  written  by  one  of  the 
most  talented  authors  in  the  English  language. 

"Goldsmith  can  never  be  made  obsolete  while  delicate  genius,  exquisite  feeling, fine  invention, 
the  most  harmonious  metre,  and  the  happiest  diction,  are  at  all  valued. 


BIGLAND’S  NATURAL  HISTORY 

Of  Animals,  Birds,  Fishes,  Reptiles,  and  Insects.  Illustrated  with  numerous  and  beautiful  Engrav- 
ings. By  JOHN  BIGLAND,  author  of  a “ View  of  the  World,”  “ Letters  on 
Universal  History,”  Ac.  Complete  in  1 vol.,  12mo. 

— - n 


LIPPINCOTT,  GRAMBO  & CO.’S  PUBLICATIONS. 


THE  POWER  AND  PROGRESS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


THE  UNITED  STATES;  Its  Power  and  Progress. 

BY  GUILLAUME  T2LL  POUSSIN, 

LATE  MINISTER  OF  THE  REPUBLIC  OF  FRANCE  TO  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
FIRST  AMERICAN,  FROM  THE  THIRD  PARIS  EDITION. 
TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  FRENCH  BY  EDMOND  L.  DU  BARRY,  M.  D., 

SURGEON  U.  S.  NAVY. 

In  one  large  octavo  volume. 


SCHOOLCRAFT’S  GREAT  NATIONAL  WORK  ON  THE  INDIAN  TRIBES  OF 
THE  UNITED  STATES. 

WITH  BEAUTIFUL  AND  ACCURATE  COLOURED  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


HISTORICAL  AND  STATISTICAL  INFORMATION 

RESPECTING  THE 

HISTORY,  CONDITION  AND  PROSPECTS 

OP  THE 

3 n b i a n Ctilits  nf  tin  llnittii  $iaf u. 

COLLECTED  AND  PREPARED  UNDER  THE  DIRECTION  OF  THE  BUREAU  OF  INDIAN 
AFFAIRS,  PER  ACT  OF  MARCH  3,  1847, 

B1 1 EEHRY  S.  SCHOOLCEAFT,  1-1.. D. 

ILLUSTRATED  BY  S.  EASTMAN,  Capt.  U.  S.  A. 

PUBLISHED  BY  AUTHORITY  OF  CONGRESS. 


THE  AMERICAN  GARDENER'S  CALENDAR, 

ADAPTED  TO  THE  CLIMATE  AND  SEASONS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Containing  a complete  account  of  all  the  work  necessary  to  be  done  in  the  Kitchen  Garden,  Fruit 
Garden,  Orchard,  Vineyard,  Nursery,  Pleasure-Ground,  Flower  Garden,  Green-house,  Hot-house, 
and  Forcing  Frames,  for  every  month  in  the  year;  with  ample  Practical  Directions  for  performing 
the  same. 

Also,  general  as  well  as  minute  instructions  for  laying  out  or  erecting  each  and  every  of  the  above 
departments,  according  to  modern  taste  and  the  most  approved  plans;  the  Ornamental  Planting  of 
Pleasure  Grounds,  in  the  ancient  and  modern  style;  the  cultivation  of  Thorn  Quicks,  and  other 
plants  suitable  for  Live  Hedges,  with  the  best  methods  of  making  them.  <kc.  To  which  are  annexed 
catalogues  of  Kitchen  Garden  Plants  and  Herbs;  Aromatic,  Pot,  and  Sweet  Herbs;  Medicinal 
Plants,  and  the  most  important  Grapes,  & c.,  used  in  rural  economy;  with  the  soil  best  adapted  to 
their  cultivation.  Together  with  a copious  Index  to  the  body  of  the  work. 


BY  BERNARD  M ‘MAHON. 

Tenth  Edition,  greatly  improved.  In  one  volume,  octavo. 


THE  PORTFOLIO  OF  A SOUTHERN  MEDICAL  STUDENT. 

BY  GEORGE  M.  WHARTON,  M.  D. 

WITH  NUMEROUS  ILLUSTRATIONS  BY  CROOME. 
One  volume,  1 2 m o . 


12 


I.IPPINCOTT,  GRAMBO  & CO.’S  PUBLICATIONS. 


THE  FARMER’S  AND  PLANTER’S  ENCYCLOPEDIA. 


€{r  /nraiBr's  mk  ■jtahr’s  fnqrlnpME  nf  Httral  Muirs. 

BY  CUTHBERT  W.  JOHNSON. 

ADAPTED  TO  THE  UNITED  STATES  BY  GOUVERNEUR  EMERSON. 

Illustrated  by  seventeen  beautiful  Engravings  of  Cattle,  Horses,  Sheep,  the  varieties  of  Wheat, 
Barley,  Oats,  Grasses,  the  Weeds  of  Agriculture.  <fcc. ; besides  numerous  Engrav- 
ings on  wood  of  the  most  important  implements  of  Agriculture,  &c. 

This  standard  Work  contains  the  latest  and  best  information  upon  all  subjects  connected  with 
farming,  and  appertaining  to  the  country  ; treating  of  the  great  crops  of  grain,  hay,  cotton,  hemp, 
tobacco,  rice,  sugar,  <kc.  <kc. ; of  horses  and  mules ; of  cattle,  with  minute  particulars  relating  to 
cheese  and  butter-making ; of  fowls,  including  a description  of  capon-making,  with  drawings  of  the 
instruments  employed;  of  bees,  and  the  Russian  and  other  systems  of  managing  bees  and  con- 
structing hives.  Long  articles  on  the  uses  and  preparation  of  bones,  lime,  guano,  and  all  sorts  of 
animal,  mineral,  and  vegetable  substances  employed  as  manures.  Descriptions  of  the  most  approved 
ploughs,  harrows,  threshers,  and  every  other  agricultural  machine  and  implement;  of  fruit  and 
shade  trees,  forest  trees,  and  shrubs ; of  weeds,  and  all  kinds  of  flies,  and  destructive  worms  and 
insects,  and  the  best  means  of  getting  rid  of  them ; together  with  a thousand  other  matters  relating 
to  rural  life,  about  which  information  is  so  constantly  desired  by  all  residents  of  the  country. 

IN  ONE  LARGE  OCTAVO  VOLUME. 


MASON’S  FARRIER  — FARMERS’  EDITION 

Price,  62  cents. 


THE  PRACTICAL  FARRIER,  FOR  FARMERS: 

COMPRISING  A GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  NOBLE  AND  DSEFDL  ANIMAL 

THE  HORSE; 

WITH  MODES  OF  MANAGEMENT  IN  ALL  CASES,  AND  TREATMENT  IN  DISEASE. 

TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED, 

A PRIZE  ESSAY  ON  MULES;  AND  AN  APPENDIX, 

Containing  Recipes  for  Diseases  of  Horses,  Oxen,  Cows,  Calves,  Sheep,  Dogs,  bwine,  &c.  <5cc. 

BIT  KICHAB.B  IS  A S O OT  ? JXZ . D . , 

Formerly  of  Surry  County,  Virginia. 

In  one  volume,  12 mo.;  abound  in  cloth,  gilt. 

MASON’S  FARRIER  AND  STUD-BOOK-NEW  EDITION. 

THE  GENTLEMAN’S  NEW  POCKET  FARRIER: 

COMPRISING  A GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  NOBLE  AND  USEFUL  ANIMAL, 

THE  HORSE; 

WITH  MODES  OF  MANAGEMENT  IN  ALL  CASES,  AND  TREATMENT  IN  DISEASE. 

SI r I€.aSOKT,  Bffl.B., 

Formerly  of  Surry  County,  Virginia. 

To  which  is  added,  A PRIZE  ESSAY  ON  MULES ; and  AN  APPENDIX,  containing  Recipes  for 
Diseases  of  Horses,  Oxen,  Cows,  Calves,  Sheep,  Dogs,  Swine,  Ac.  Ac. ; with  Annals 
of  the  Turf,  American  Stud-Book,  Rules  for  Training,  Racing,  Ac. 

WITH  A SUPPLEMENT, 

Comprising  an  Essay  on  Domestic  Animals,  especially  the  Horse  ; with  Remaiks  on  Treatment  and 
Breeding;  together  with  Trotting  and  Racing  Tables,  showing  the  best  time  on  record  at  one, 
two,  three  and  four  mile  heats  ; Pedigrees  of  Winning  Horses,  since  1839,  and  of  the  most 
celebrated  Stallions  and  Mares;  with  useful  Calving  and  Lambing  Tables.  By 
J.  S.  SKINNER,  Editor  now  of  the  Farmer’s  Library,  New  York,  Ac.  Ac. 


LIPPINCOTT,  GRAMBO  & CO.’S  PUBLICATIONS. 


HINDS’S  FARRIERY  AND  STUD-BOOK-NEW  EDITION. 


FARRIERY, 

TAUGHT  ON  A NEW  AND  EASY  PLAN: 

BEINQ 

% Crrntise  tin  tjjf  lOisrnsrs  nnir  Irrikitfs  of  IIjt  Utorro ; 

With  Instructions  to  the  Shoeing  Smith,  Farrier,  and  Groom;  preceded  by  a Popular  Description  of 
the  Animal  Functions  in  Health,  and  how  these  are  to  be  restored  when  disordered. 

BY  JOHN  HINDS,  VETERINARY  SURGEON. 

With  considerable  Additions  and  Improvements,  particularly  adapted  to  this  country, 

BY  THOMAS  M.  SMITH, 

Veterinary  Surgeon,  and  Member  of  the  London  Veterinary  Medical  Society. 

WITH  A SUPPLEMENT,  BY  J.  S.  SKINNER. 

The  publishers  have  received  numerous  flattering  notices  of  the  great  practical  value  of  these 
works.  The  distinguished  editor  of  the  American  Farmer,  speaking  of  them,  observes: — “We 
cannot  too  highly  recommend  these  books,  and  therefore  advise  every  owner  of  a horse  to  obtain 
them.” 

"There  are  receipts  in  those  books  that  show  how  Founder  may  be  cured,  and  the  traveller  pur- 
sue his  journey  the  next  day,  by  giving  a tablespuoriful  of  alum.  'Ibis  was  got  from  Dr.  P.  Thornton, 
of  Montpelier,  Rappahannock  county,  Virginia,  as  founded  on  his  own  observation  in  several  cases.” 

“The  constant  demand  for  Mason’s  and  Hinds’s  Farrier  hits  imlnced  the  publishers,  Messrs.  Lip- 
pincott,  Grambo  A c Co.,  to  put  forth  new  edit  ions,  wit  h a ‘ Supplement’  of  100  pages,  by  J.  S.  Skinner, 
Esq.  We  should  have  sought  to  render  an  acceptable  service  to  our  agricultural  readers,  by  giving 
a chapter  from  the  Supplement,  ‘On  the  Relations  between  Mari  and  the  Domestic  Animals,  espe- 
cially the  Horse,  and  the  Obligations  they  impose  or  the  one  on  ‘The  Form  of  Animals;’  but  that 
either  one  of  them  would  overrun  the  space  here  allotted  to  such  subjects.” 

“ Lists  of  Medicines,  and  other  articles  which  ought  to  be  at  hand  about  every  training  and  livery 
stable,  and  every  Farmer’s  and  Breeder’s  establishment,  will  be  found  in  these  valuable  works.” 


TO  CARPENTERS  AND  MECHANICS. 

Just  Published. 


A NEW  AND  IMPROVED  EDITION  OF 

THE  CARPENTER'S  NEW  GUIDE, 

BEING  A COMPLETE  BOOK  OF  LINES  FOR 

C5ARPENTEY  iiCTD  JOINERY; 

Treating  fully  on  Practical  Geometry,  SaffU's  Brick  and  Plaster  Groins,  Niches  of  every  description, 
Sky-lights,  Lines  for  Roofs  and  Domes;  with  a great  variety  of  Designs  for  Roofs, 
Trussed  Girders,  Floors,  Domes,  Bndges.  <kc.,  Angle  Bars  for  Shop 
Fronts,  &c.,  and  Raking  Mouldings. 

ALSO, 

Additional  Plans  for  various  Stair-Cases,  wit  h the  Lines  for  producing  the  Face  and  Falling  Moulds, 
never  before  published,  and  greatly  superior  to  those  given  in  a former  edition  of  this  work. 

BY  WILLIAM  JOHNSON.  ARCHITECT, 

OF  PHILADELPHIA. 

The  whole  founded  on  true  Geometrical  Principles;  the  Theory  and  Practice  well  explained  and 
fully  exemplified,  on  eighty-three  copper  plates,  including  some  Observations  and  Calculations  on 
the  Strength  of  Timber. 

BY  PETER  NICHOLSON, 

Author  of  "The  Carpenter  and  Joiner’s  Assistant,”  “The  Student’s  Instructor  to  the  Five 
Orders,”  6lc. 

Thirteenth  Edition.  One  volume,  4to.,  well  bound. 

14 


LIPPINCOTT,  GRAMBO  & CO.’S  PUBLICATIONS. 

A DICTIONARY  OF  SELECT  AND  POPULAR  QUOTATIONS, 

WHICH  ARE  IN  DAILY  USE. 

TAKEN  FROM  THE  LATIN,  FRENCH,  GREEK,  SPANISH  AND  ITALIAN  LANGUAGES. 
Together  with  a copious  Collection  of  Law  Maxims  and  Law  Terms,  translated  into 
English,  with  Illustrations,  Historical  and  Idiomatic. 

NEW  AMERICAN  EDITION,  CORRECTED,  WITH  ADDITIONS. 

One  volume,  12mo. 

This  volume  comprises  a copious  collection  of  legal  and  other  terms  which  are  in  common  use, 
with  English  translations  and  historical  illustrations ; and  we  should  judge  its  author  had  surely 
been  to  a great  “ Feast  of  Languages,”  and  stole  all  the  scraps.  A work  of  this  character  should 
have  an  extensive  sale,  as  it  entirely  obviates  a serious  difficulty  in  which  most  readers  are  involved 
by  the  frequent  occurrence  of  Latin,  Greek,  and  French  passages,  which  we  suppose  are  introduced 
by  authors  for  a mere  show  of  learning  — a difficulty  very  perplexing  to  readers  in  generaL  This 
**  Dictionary  of  Quotations,”  concerning  which  too  much  cannor  be  said  in  its  favour,  effectually 
removes  the  difficulty,  and  gives  the  reader  an  advantage  over  the  author ; for  we  believe  a majority 
are  themselves  ignorant  of  the  meaning  of  the  terms  they  employ.  Very  few  truly  learned  authors 
will  insult  their  readers  by  introducing  Latin  or  French  quotations  in  their  writings,  when  “plain 
English”  will  do  as  well;  but  we  will  not  enlarge  on  this  point. 

If  the  book  is  useful  to  those  unacquainted  with  other  languages,  it  is  no  less  valuable  to  the 
classically  educated  as  a book  of  reference,  aud  answers  all  the  purposes  of  a Lexicon  — indeed,  on 
many  accounts,  it  is  better.  It  saves  the  trouble  of  tumbling  over  the  larger  volumes,  to  which 
every  one,  and  especially  those  engaged  in  the  legal  profession,  are  very  often  subjected.  It  should 
have  a place  in  every  library  in  the  country. 


wvwwv 


RUSCHENBERGER’S  NATURAL  HISTORY, 

COMPLETE,  WITH  NEW  GLOSSARY* 


H j dBbnnntu  of  Sutural  Hbtori], 

EMBRACING  ZOOLOGY,  BOTANY  AND  GEOLOGY: 

FOR  SCHOOLS,  COLLEGES  AND  FAMILIES. 

S'S?  W.  S.  W.  SUSCHENBERGBE,M.B. 

IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 

WITH  NEARLY  ONE  THOUSAND  ILLUSTRATIONS,  ANT-  A COPIOUS  GLOSSARY. 
Vol.  I.  contains  Vertebrate  Animals.  Vol.  II.  contains  Intervertebrate  Animals , Botany , and  Geology . 

A Beautiful  and  Valuable  Presentation  Book. 


THE  POET’S  OFFERING. 

EDITED  BY  MRS.  HALE. 

With  a Portrait  of  the  Editress,  a Splendid  Illuminated  Title-Page,  and  Twelve  Beautiful  Engrav- 
ings by  Sartam.  Bound  in  rich  Turkey  Morocco,  and  Extra  Cloth,  Gilt  Edge. 

To  those  who  wish  to  make  a present  that  will  never  lose  its  value,  this  will  be  found  the  most 
desirable  Gift-Book  ever  published. 

“ We  commend  it  to  all  who  desire  to  present  a friend  with  a volume  not  only  very  beautiful,  but 
of  solid  intrinsic  value.”  — Washington  Union. 

“A  perfect  treasury  of  the  thoughts  and  fancies  of  the  best  English  and  American  Poets.  The 
paper  and  printing  are  beautiful,  and  the  binding  rich,  elegant,  and  substantial;  the  most  sensible 
and  attractive  of  all  the  elegant  gift-books  we  have  seen.”  — Evening  Bulletin. 

“ The  publishers  deserve  the  thanks  of  the  public  for  so  happy  a thought,  so  well  executed.  The 
engravings  are  by  the  best  artists,  and  the  other  portions  of  the  work  correspond  in  elegance.”  — 
Public  Lkdyer. 

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Lady's  Book 

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THE  YOUNG  DOMINICAN; 

OR,  THE  MYSTERIES  OF  THE  INQUISITION, 

AND  OTHER  SECRET  SOCIETIES  OF  SPAIN. 

BY  M.  V.  DE  FEREAL. 

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It  would  be  beneficial  to  our  country  if  all  those  who  are  aspiring  to  office,  were  required  by  their 
constituents  to  be  familiar  with  the  pages  of  Say. 

The  distinguished  biographer  of  the  author,  in  noticing  this  work,  observes  : “ Happily  for  science, 
he  commenced  that  study  which  forms  the  basis  of  his  admirable  Treatise  on  Political  Economy ; a 
work  which  not  only  improved  under  his  hand  with  every  successive  edition,  but  has  been  translated 
into  most  of  the  European  languages.” 

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popular,  and  perhaps  the  most  able  writer  on  Political  Economy,  since  the  time  of  Smith.” 

LAURENCE  STERNE’S  WORKS, 

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Captive  — even  the  Dead  Ass,  — this  is  all  we  have  to  say  of  Sterne;  and  in  the  memory  of  these 
characters,  histories,  and  sketches,  a thousand  follies  and  worse  than  follies  are  forgotten.  The 
volume  is  a very  handsome  one. 


the  Mexican  war  its  heroes; 

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EMBRACING  ALL  THE  OPERATIONS  UNDER  GENERALS  TAYLOR  AND  SCOTT. 

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€1jt  dfttq  ATlrrrijnnt ; nr,  €\)t  ^stmnra  /ntlm. 

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Delegate  to  Congress  from  that  Territory. 

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Pledged  to  no  clique  or  party,  and  free  from  the  pressure  of  any  and  all  extraneous  influences, 
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at  the  South,  will  find  in  “Aunt  Phillis’s  Cabin”  not  the  distorted  picture  of  an  interested  painter, 
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THE  IRIS: 

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EDITED  BY  PROF.  JOHN  S.  HART. 

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Its  contents  are  entirely  original.  Among  the  contributors  are  names  well  known  in  the  republic 
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Dorr,  Erastus  W.  Ellsworth,  Miss  E.  W.  Barnes,  Mrs.  Williams,  Mary  Young,  Dr.  Gardette,  Alice 
Carey,  Phebe  Carey,  Augusta  Browne,  Hamilton  Browne,  Caroline  Eustis,  Margaret  Junkin,  Maria 
J.  B.  Browne,  Miss  Starr.  Mrs.  Brotherson,  Kate  Campbell,  Ac. 

(Kims  from  tjji  $arat>  Mint; 

OR,  HOLY  THOUGHTS  UPON  SACRED  SUBJECTS. 

BY  CLERGYMEN  OF  THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

EDITED  BY  THOMAS  WYATT,  A.M. 

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The  contents  of  this  work  are  chiefly  by  clergymen  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Among  the  con- 
tributors will  be  found  the  names  of  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Potter,  Bishop  Hopkins,  Bishop  Smith, 
Bishop  Johns,  and  Bishop  Doane;  and  the  Rev.  Drs.  H.  V.  D.  Johns,  Coleman,  and  Butler;  Rev.  G. 
T.  Bedell,  M*Cabe,  Ogilsby,  <kc.  The  illustrations  are  rich  and  exquisitely  wrought  engravings  upon 
the  following  subjects “ Samuel  before  Eli,”  “Peter  and  John  healing  the  Lame  Man,”  “The 
Resurrection  of  Christ,”  “Joseph  sold  by  his  Brethren,”  “The  Tables  of  the  Law,”  “Christ’s 
Agony  in  the  Garden,”  and  “The  Flight  into  Egypt.”  These  subjects,  with  many  others  in  prose 
and  verse,  are  ably  treated  throughout  the  work. 


ANCIENT  CHRISTIANITY  EXEMPLIFIED, 

In  tile  Private,  Domestic,  Social,  and  Civil  Life  of  tlie  Primitive 
Clirist ians,  and  in  ilie  Original  Institutions,  Offices, 
Ordinances,  and  Rites  of  tlie  Church* 

BY  REV.  LYMAN  COLEMAN,  D.  D. 


In  one  volume  8vo.  Price  ®2  50. 


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LONZ  POWERS;  Or,  The  Regulators. 

A ROMANCE  OF  KENTUCKY. 

FOUNDED  ON  FACTS. 

BY  JAMES  WEIR,  ESQ. 

IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 

The  scenes,  characters,  and  incidents  in  these  volumes  have  been  copied  from  nature,  and  from 
real  life.  They  are  represented  as  taking  place  at  that  period  m the  history  of  Kentucky,  when 
the  Indian,  driven,  after  many  a hard-fought  field,  from  his  favourite  hunting-ground,  was  succeeded 
by  a rude  and  unlettered  population,  interspersed  with  organized  bands  of  desperadoes,  scarcely 
less  savage  than  the  red  men  they  had  displaced.  The  author  possesses  a vigorous  and  graphic 
pen,  and  has  produced  a very  interesting  romance,  which  gives  us  a striking  portrait  of  the  times 
he  describes. 

A PRACTICAL  TREATISE  ON  BUSINESS; 

OR,  HOW  TO  GET,  SAVE,  SPEND,  GIVE,  LEND,  AND  BEQUEATH  MONEY: 

WITH  AN  INQUIRY  INTO  THE  CHANCES  OF  SUCCESS  AND  CAUSES 
OF  FAILURE  IN  BUSINESS. 

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afford  a work  of  solid  interest  to  those  who  read  without  expectation  of  pecuniary  benefit. 


A MANUAL  OL  POLITENESS, 

COMPRISING  THE 

PRINCIPLES  OF  ETIQUETTE  AND  RULES  OF  BEHAVIOUR 

IN  GENTEEL  SOCIETY,  FOR  PERSONS  OF  BOTH  SEXES. 

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THE  GENTLEMAN  AND  LADY’S 

BOOK  OF  POLITENESS  AND  PROPRIETY  OF  DEPORTMENT. 

DEDICATED  TO  THE  YOUTH  OE  BOTH  SEXES. 

BY  MADAME  CELNART, 

Translated  from  the  Sixth  Paris  Edition,  Enlarged  and  Improved. 

Fifth  American  Edition. 

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L 


THE  ANTEDILUVIANS;  Or,  The  World  Destroyed. 

A NARRATIVE  POEM,  IN  TEN  BOOKS. 

BY  JAMES  M'EEHSI,  M.D. 

One  volume,  18mo. 


I 


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Bennett’s  (Rev.  John)  Letters  to  a Young  Lady, 

ON  A VARIETY  OF  SUBJECTS  CALCULATED  TO  IMPROVE  THE  HEART, 
TO  FORM  THE  MANNERS,  AND  ENLIGHTEN  THE  UNDERSTANDING. 

“That  our  (laughters  may  be  as  polished  comers  of  the  temple.” 

The  publishers  sincerely  hope  (for  the  happiness  of  mankind)  that  a copy  of  this  valuable  little 
work  will  be  found  the  companion  of  every  young  lady,  as  much  of  the  happiness  of  every  family 
depends  on  the  proper  cultivation  of  the  female  mind. 

THE  DAUGHTER’S  OWN  BOOK: 

OR,  PRACTICAL  HINTS  FROM  A FATHER  TO  HIS  DAUGHTER. 

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This  is  one  of  the  most  practical  and  truly  valuable  treatises  on  the  culture  and  discipline  of  the 
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dent, from  the  great  demand  for  this  invaluable  little  work,  that  ere  long  it  will  be  found  in  the 
library  of  every  young  lady. 


THE  AMERICAN  CHESTERFIELD : 

Or,  "Youth's  Guide  to  the  Way  to  Wealth,  Honour,  aud  Distinction,"  k.  Iftaa. 

CONTAINING  ALSO  A COMPLETE  TREATISE  ON  THE  ART  OF  CARVING. 

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country.  It  cannot  be  too  highly  appreciated,  nor  its  perusal  be  unproductive  of  satisfaction  and 
usefulness.” 

SENECA’S  MORALS. 

BY  WAY  OF  ABSTRACT  TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED,  A DISCOURSE  UNDER 
THE  TITLE  OF  AN  AFTER  THOUGHT. 

BY  SIR  ROGER  L'ESTRA  NGE,  KNT. 

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NEW  SONG-BOOK. 

drigg’s  lontjjirn  nnb  -CEirstrrn  iongstrr; 

BEING  A CHOICE  COLLECTION  OF  THE  MOST  FASHIONABLE  SONGS,  MANY  OF  WHICH 
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lour Song-Book,  or  Songster.”  The  immortal  Shakspeare  observes  — 


“The  man  that  hath  not  music  in  himself, 

Nor  is  not  moved  with  concord  of  sweet  sounds, 
Is  fit  for  treasons,  stratagems,  and  spoils.” 


ROBOTHAM’S  POCKET  FRENCH  DICTIONARY, 

CAREFULLY  REVISED, 

AND  THE  PRONUNCIATION  OF  ALL  THE  DIFFICULT  WORDS  ADDED. 

20 


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THE  LIFE  AND  OPINIONS  OF  TRISTRAM  SHANDY,  GENTLEMAN. 

COMPRISING  THE  HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OP 

UNCLE  TOBY  AND  CORPORAL  TRIM. 

BY  T*.  STEENH. 

Beautifully  Illustrated  1b y Barley*  Stitched* 

A SENTIMENTAL  JOURNEY. 

BY  L.  STERNE. 

Illustrated  as  above  by  Barley#  Stitched* 

The  beauties  of  this  author  are  so  well  known,  and  his  errors  in  style  and  expression  so  few  and 
far  between,  that  one  reads  with  renewed  delight  his  delicate  turns,  <fec. 

THE  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  JACKSON, 

WITH  A LIKENESS  OP  THE  OLD  HERO. 

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LIFE  OF  PAUL  JONES. 

In  one  volume,  12mo. 

WITH  ONE  HUNDRED  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

BY  JAMES  HAMILTON. 

The  work  is  compiled  from  his  original  journals  and  correspondence,  and  includes  an  account  of 
his  services  in  the  American  Revolution,  and  rn  the  war  between  the  Russians  and  Turks  in  the 
Black  Sea.  There  is  scarcely  any  Naval  Hero,  of  any  age.  who  combined  in  his  character  so  much 
of  the  adventurous,  skilful  and  daring,  as  Paul  Jones.  The  incidents  of  his  life  are  almost  as  start- 
ling and  absorbing  as  those  of  romance.  His  achievements  during  the  American  Revolution  — the 
fight  between  the  Bon  Homme  Richard  and  Serapis,  the  most  desperate  naval  action  on  record  — 
and  the  alarm  into  which,  with  so  small  a force,  he  threw  the  coasts  of  England  and  Scotland  — are 
matters  comparatively  well  known  to  Americans;  but  the  incidents  of  his  subsequent  career  have 
been  veiled  in  obscurity,  which  is  dissipated  by  this  biography.  A book  like  this,  narrating  the 
actions  of  such  a man,  ought  to  meet  with  an  extensive  sale,  and  become  as  popular  as  Robinson 
Crusoe  in  fiction,  or  Weems’s  Life  of  Marion  and  Washington,  and  similar  books,  in  fact.  It  con- 
tains 400  pages,  has  a handsome  portrait  and  medallion  likeness  of  Jones,  and  is  illustrated  with 
numerous  original  wood  engravings  of  naval  scenes  and  distinguished  men  with  whom  he  was 
familiar. 

THE  GREEK  EXILE; 

Or,  ft  Narrative  of  the  Captivity  and  Escape  of  Chrislcpkus  Plato  Castanis, 

DURING  THE  MASSACRE  ON  THE  ISLAND  OF  SCIO  BY  THE  TURKS. 

TOGETHER  WITH  VARIOUS  ADVENTURES  IN  GREECE  AND  AMERICA. 

WRITTEN  BY  HIMSELF, 

Author  of  an  Essay  on  the  Ancient  and  Modern  Greek  Languages ; Interpretation  of  the  Attributes 
of  the  Principal  Fabulous  Deities ; The  Jewish  Maiden  of  Scio's  Citadel ; and 
the  Greek  Boy  m the  Suuday-SchooL 

One  volume,  I2mo. 

THE  YOUNG  CHORISTER; 

A Collection  of  New  and  Beautiful  Tunes,  adapted  to  the  use  of  Sabbath-Schools,  from  some  of  the 
most  distinguished  composers ; together  with  many  of  the  author's  compositions. 

EDITED  B1T  MENARD  TV.  WILSON. 

— 21 


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CAMP  LIFE  OF  A VOLUNTEER, 

A Campaign  in  Mexico;  Or,  A Glimpse  at  Life  in  Camp. 

BY  “OWE  WHO  HAS  SEEW  THE  ELEPHANT.” 

lift  of  (fnural  3atjjatq  daijlor, 

COMPRISING  A NARRATIVE  OF  EVENTS  CONNECTED  WITH  HIS  PROFESSIONAL 
CAREER,  AND  AUTHENTIC  INCIDENTS  OF  HIS  EARLY  YEARS. 

BY  J.  REESE  FRY  AND  R.  T.  CONRAD. 

With  an  original  and  accurate  Portrait,  and  eleven  elegant  Illustrations,  by  Darley, 
In  one  handsome  12mo.  volume. 

“ It  is  by  far  the  fullest  and  most  interesting  biography  of  General  Taylor  that  we  have  ever  seen." 
— Richmond  ( Whig)  Chronicle. 

“ On  the  whole,  we  are  satisfied  that  this  volume  is  the  most  correct  and  comprehensive  one  yet 
published.”  — Hunt's  Merchants'  Magazine. 

“The  superiority  of  this  edition  over  the  ephemeral  publications  of  the  day  consists  in  fuller  and 
more  authentic  accounts  of  his  family,  his  early  life,  and  Indian  wars.  The  narrative  of  his  pro- 
ceedings in  Mexico  is  drawn  partly  from  reliable  private  letters,  but  chiefly  from  his  own  official 
correspondence.” 

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side  of  every  family  who  desire  a faithful  and  true  life  of  the  Old  General.” 

GENERAL  TAYLOR  AND  BIS  STAFF: 

Comprising  Memoirs  of  Generals  Taylor,  Worth,  Wool,  and  Butler;  Cols.  May,  Cross, Clay,  Hardin, 
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Army.  Interspersed  with 

NUMEROUS  ANECDOTES  OF  THE  MEXICAN  WAR, 

and  Personal  Adventures  of  the  Officers.  Compiled  from  Public  Documents  and  Private  Corre- 
spondence. With 

ACCURATE  PORTRAITS,  AND  OTHER  BEAUTIFUL  ILLUSTRATIONS, 

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Patterson,  and  Pierce ; Cols.  Childs,  Riley,  Harney,  and  Butler ; and  other 
distinguished  officers  attached  to  General  Scott’s  Army. 

TOGETHER  WITH 

Notices  of  General  Kearny,  Col.  Doniphan,  Col.  Fremont,  and  other  officers  distinguished  in  the 
Conquest  of  California  and  New  Mexico  ; and  Personal  Adventures  of  the  Officers.  Com- 
piled from  Public  Documents  and  Private  Correspondence.  With 

ACCURATE  PORTRAITS,  AND  OTHER  BEAUTIFUL  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

In  one  volume,  12mo. 


INCLUDING  THE  SURGICAL,  MEDICAL  AND  MECHANICAL  TREATMENT 
OF  THE  TEETH. 

Illustrated  witta  tHirty-ome  Engravings. 

By  CHARLES  A-  DU  BOUCHET,  M.  D.,  Dental  Surgeon. 

In  one  volume,  18mo. 


22 


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MECHANICS  FOR  THE  MILLWRIGHT,  ENGINEER  AND  MACHINIST, 
CIVIL  ENGINEER,  AND  ARCHITECT: 

CONTAINING 

THE  PRINCIPLES  OP  MECHANICS  APPLIED  TO  MACHINERY 

Of  American  models,  Steam-Engines,  Water-Works,  Navigation,  Bridge-building,  &c.  <tc.  By 
FREDERICK  OVERMAN, 

Author  of  “ The  Manufacture  of  Iron,”  and  other  scientific  treatises. 

Illustrated  by  150  Engravings.  In  one  large  12mo.  volume. 

WILLIAMS’S  TRAVELLER’S  AND  TOURIST’S  GUIDE 
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